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Role and Challenges of Objectivity in the Sociological Research: An Overview


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Sociology starts with positive philosophy, founding fathers of sociology like Auguste Comte, Durkheim and Spencer strenuously advocated that methods applied to the natural sciences such as physics should be applied to the study of social behavior (Benton and Craib, 2001). As far as ‘objectivity’ is concerned, positivist methodological approaches claim that ‘objectivity’ is an ideal that is attainable, as the social reality of society can be observed it without any antecedents. Objectivity is a goal of scientific investigation. Science involves use of systematic methods of empirical investigation, the analysis of data, theoretical thinking and logical assessment of argument to develop a body of knowledge about a particular subject matter (Giddens and Sutton, 2013). So sociology is a scientific study of human behavior because both quantitative and qualitative research involved systematic method of investigation and s on. However, the concept of objectivity has increasingly been held within the field as problematic and it is still questionable because the subject matter of sociology which is not exactly as subject matter of natural science and since researchers are also part of the society, it is difficult to do research as value-free that is why Max Weber takes middle position and explain the importance of objectivity in social science with value relevance and also develop some methodological or conceptual tool to understand society. Yet still objectivity in sociological research takes a very suspicious or debatable place. In this paper I am dealing with the explanation of the roles and challenges of objectivity in sociological research and my research questions are - 1. What are the role and status of objectivity in the sociological research, 2. What are the most challenges faced while establishing objectivity. 3. What is an alternative of objectivity in sociological research, 4. Identify and distinguish theories for supporting or rejecting objectivity in sociology. This paper is based on secondary sources and descriptive in nature.

Keywords

Interpretivism, Objectivity, Positivism, Social research, Subjectivity, Value-free
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  • Role and Challenges of Objectivity in the Sociological Research: An Overview

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Authors

Riya Singh
Mphil (NET), India

Abstract


Sociology starts with positive philosophy, founding fathers of sociology like Auguste Comte, Durkheim and Spencer strenuously advocated that methods applied to the natural sciences such as physics should be applied to the study of social behavior (Benton and Craib, 2001). As far as ‘objectivity’ is concerned, positivist methodological approaches claim that ‘objectivity’ is an ideal that is attainable, as the social reality of society can be observed it without any antecedents. Objectivity is a goal of scientific investigation. Science involves use of systematic methods of empirical investigation, the analysis of data, theoretical thinking and logical assessment of argument to develop a body of knowledge about a particular subject matter (Giddens and Sutton, 2013). So sociology is a scientific study of human behavior because both quantitative and qualitative research involved systematic method of investigation and s on. However, the concept of objectivity has increasingly been held within the field as problematic and it is still questionable because the subject matter of sociology which is not exactly as subject matter of natural science and since researchers are also part of the society, it is difficult to do research as value-free that is why Max Weber takes middle position and explain the importance of objectivity in social science with value relevance and also develop some methodological or conceptual tool to understand society. Yet still objectivity in sociological research takes a very suspicious or debatable place. In this paper I am dealing with the explanation of the roles and challenges of objectivity in sociological research and my research questions are - 1. What are the role and status of objectivity in the sociological research, 2. What are the most challenges faced while establishing objectivity. 3. What is an alternative of objectivity in sociological research, 4. Identify and distinguish theories for supporting or rejecting objectivity in sociology. This paper is based on secondary sources and descriptive in nature.

Keywords


Interpretivism, Objectivity, Positivism, Social research, Subjectivity, Value-free

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.15410/aijm%2F2021%2Fv10i1%2F157533