Steven PinkerHarvard College Professor and Johnstone Family Professor, Department of Psychology, Harvard University~ Structure and writing style. I. Research method groups. There are two main groups of research methods in the social sciences: The empirical-analytic group approaches the study of the social sciences in the same way that researchers study the natural sciences. This type of research focuses on objective knowledge, research and medical science. Technology and science amp. Social Sciences. Sport. Contact us. Social Sciences: Recommended Style Manuals The Chicago CMOS Manual of Style - 17th Edition ยท Author-date format.