Chapter presents anchors empirical research and methodology in epistemology of social sciences. It explains role of theoretical approaches, main epistemological debates in social sciences and difference between quantitative and qualitative research strategy.
Chapter is a part of collective monograph Novotná, H., Špa ček O., and Štovíčková Jantulová, M. (eds.) "Metody výzkumu ve společenských vědách".