• Dr Sudhir Kapoor
• Dr. Rashmi Kapoor

Data whether qualitative or quantitative are aggregate facts but only when processed and understood in the context that they convey meaning. Once data is collected, next step is cleaning or refining of data to extract the relevant information and make the data meaningful. To mine out useful information, statistical analysis tools are used. Statistical analysis can be used for both qualitative data and quantitative data. The present paper will attempt to provide basic steps regression analysis for social research using MS Excel. Social research or social science research deals with the study of society, human behaviour and social interactions. Social research employs the similar methods of scientific inquiry as used in natural sciences. As a matter of fact the method of scientific inquiry is same for all sciences. Pearson (1911, 12) said that, “the unity of all sciences consists alone in its methods, not its material.” Similarly, Bacon (cited in Thompson, 1911, 81) states that, “the division of sciences are not like different lines that meet in one angle but rather like the branches of trees that join in one trunk.” Also, science is not inherently different from the way one thinks in everyday life. Albert Einstein said that “all science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking.” In the similar sense, Thomas Huxley said that, “Science is simply commonsense at its best.” It is the scientific method that differentiates a science from commonsense. In social research, a major challenge is objective investigation of social phenomena. The researcher’s perception can hinder in objective understanding. Then the indicators under study are not directly measurable. Also, the reliability of obtaining the same results in social research is difficult. The inconsistency of social behaviour may be due to other exogenous and endogenous factors exerting influence. Experimentation that determines the validity and reliability in the scientific research is not possible in social research as in the latter variables cannot be manipulated to identify the definite cause of the phenomenon. The empirical studies in social science can at best determine the dependence of one variable on one or more variables or indicate the magnitude of association between the variables. Social science students often shy in dealing with numbers and quantitative analyses. Probably they find it too complicated. But with basic understanding of statistical analysis, the different software packages available have empowered researchers to delve in the realm previously circumvented. The software packages have made managing, treating and analyses of data convenient and provide results in the format that are meaningful and interpretable.

Regression Analysis for Social Research using MS Excel

"Regression Analysis for Social Research using MS Excel", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.3, Issue 8, page no.878-883, August-2016, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1701540.pdf

"Regression Analysis for Social Research using MS Excel", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.3, Issue 8, page no. pp878-883, August-2016, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1701540.pdf