Case Study Research
Case study research is used to conduct an in-depth investigation of an issue at a specific instance and location.

Comparative Research
Comparative research looks at two or more similar groups, individuals, or conditions by comparing them. This comparison often focuses on a few specific characteristics. This method can also be used to compare the same group, condition, or individual over time (also called longitudinal comparison). Comparisons may be qualitative or quantitative.

Content Analysis
Content analysis, a type of secondary data analysis, is used to analyze text, including, interview transcripts, newspapers, books, manuscripts, and Web sites to determine the frequency of specific words or ideas.

Cost Benefit Analysis
Cost-benefit analysis provides an organizational framework for identifying, quantifying, and comparing the costs and benefits (measured in dollars) of a proposed policy action.

Demographic Analysis
Demography is the study of the characteristics of human populations, such as size, growth, density, and distribution. Demographic analysis provides insights into the links between these characteristics and the cultural, economic, geographic, and other social attributes present in a given area.

Ethnography
The goal of ethnography is to obtain an in-depth understanding of the history, practices, values, traditions, and circumstances of the individuals, groups, and surrounding natural and cultural resources being studied. Research is focused on interactions within and among the groups. Ethnographic research requires the use of multiple methodologies, including secondary data research to get background information on the individuals or groups being studied, historical research, observation, and interviewing.

Focus Groups
Focus groups involve a structured process in which a number of participants, typically 8 to 12, are asked their opinion on predetermined questions.

Historical Research
Historical research is a type of secondary data analysis to determine past social attitudes and community structure and how these have changed over time.

Interviewing
Interviews are a method of eliciting answers to predetermined questions from one individual at a time.

Needs Assessment
A needs assessment is a systematic investigation of audiences and issues

Nonmarket Valuation
Nonmarket valuation is a method to estimate the value of goods and services that are not commonly bought and sold in markets.

Observation
Observation is an information-gathering technique based on personal or recorded observation, through systematic documentation, of visible social activity and behavior.

Predictive Modeling
Predictive modeling is a technique that creates a model that can be used to project the future of hypothetical conditions. Models can be used to compare predicted impacts vs. actual impacts of a behavior or to perform an experiment that would not be feasible in the real world.

Rapid Rural Appraisal
A rapid rural appraisal (RRA also know as participatory rural appraisal PRA) is a "quick and dirty" broad-level assessment. RRAs are used to obtain a broad perspective of the community or group being studied, often at the cost of statistical accuracy.

Secondary Data Analysis
Use of data that was collected by individuals other than the investigator. This includes newspapers, census data, maps, etc. Secondary data analysis is often a starting point for other social science research methods.

Social Assessment and Social Impact Assessment
The terms "Social assessment" and "social impact assessment" are often used interchangeably; however, for the purpose of this Web site, the following definitions are used...

Social Network Analysis
Social network analysis is a method that is used to collect, analyze, and graphically represent data that describe the relationships within and between groups of people or organizations. It can also be used to represent how people interact with specific resources.

Stakeholder Analysis
Stakeholder analysis is a tool used to identify and understand those that have an interest or stake in an issue.

Surveys
A standardized list of questions that may be administered formally or informally by mail, telephone, Internet, or in person to collect specific information from multiple individuals.