Norman Blaikie, a professor of sociology, sought to author a book entitled "Approaches to Social Enquiry", which, according to himself (in its first edition of the book), was achieved after 25 years of scientific activity in the field of philosophy of science, social sciences, methodology of social research, and quantitative and qualitative research methods. This translated version of the book seeks to familiarize students, experts, scholars, and social scientists with the ontological and epistemological presuppositions governing science methodology. The book clearly illustrates the models or perceptions governing the fabrication of science and answers their fundamental and basic philosophical questions. In sum, the book paves the way for the acceptance of the pluralist paradigm of science.

In order to better understand Blaikie’s book and with regard to the educational needs of society, the necessity of compiling some materials is considered at the beginning of the translated book. In this regard, according to the recommendations of the Department of Philosophy of Humanities at the Research Institute of Hawzah and University, which is the sponsor and publisher of this translated book, some issue about philosophy, science, the relationship between philosophy and science, as well as the relationship among philosophy, science and social research as well as the components logically involved in a scientific research process are also added to this translation. This idea was welcomed due to the translators’ knowledge of the subject matter in Blaikie’s book and the educational needs of scientific centers. As an introduction to the translation, the two sections are thus compiled. The first section deals with the discussions on philosophy, science and social research, and the second section contains a logical investigation of a scientific research study for the scholars interested in scientific research.