Objectivity and subjectivity are key concepts in social research. This book, written by leading authors in the field, takes a completely new approach to objectivity and subjectivity, no longer treating them as opposed - as many existing texts do - but as logically and methodologically related in social research. The book debates: - the philosophical bases of objectivity and relativity - relationism and dynamic synthesis - situated objectivity - theorised subjectivity - social objects and realism - objectivity and subjectivity in practice The authors explain complex arguments with great clarity for social science students, while also providing the detail and comprehensiveness required to meet the needs of practising researchers and scholars.

This book, written by leading authors in the field, takes a completely new approach to objectivity and subjectivity, no longer treating them as opposed - as many existing texts do - but as logically and methodologically related in social research. The authors explain complex arguments with great clarity for social science students, while also providing the detail and comprehensiveness required to meet the needs of practicing researchers and scholars.

He has tried - in his career and, specifically, in this volume - to understand science without accepting the culture of science uncritically.

In the past it was generally taken for granted that the goal of social research was the production of objective knowledge; and that this required a commitment to value neutrality. In more recent times, however, both these ideals have come to be challenged, and it is often argued that all research is inevitably political in its assumptions and effects. In this major contribution to the debate, Martyn Hammersley assesses the arguments from the classic and still influential contributions of C. Wright Mills, Howard Becker and Alvin Gouldner to the present day. He concludes that the case for partisanship is not convincing, and that an intelligent and sceptical commitment to the principles of objectivity and value neutrality must remain an essential feature of research.

Conventional wisdom has it that the sciences, properly pursued, constitute a pure, value-free method of obtaining knowledge about the natural world. In light of the social and normative dimensions of many scientific debates, Helen Longino finds that general accounts of scientific methodology cannot support this common belief. Focusing on the notion of evidence, the author argues that a methodology powerful enough to account for theories of any scope and depth is incapable of ruling out the influence of social and cultural values in the very structuring of knowledge. The objectivity of scientific inquiry can nevertheless be maintained, she proposes, by understanding scientific inquiry as a social rather than an individual process. Seeking to open a dialogue between methodologists and social critics of the sciences, Longino develops this concept of "contextual empiricism" in an analysis of research programs that have drawn criticism from feminists. Examining theories of human evolution and of prenatal hormonal determination of "gender-role" behavior, of sex differences in cognition, and of sexual orientation, the author shows how assumptions laden with social values affect the description, presentation, and interpretation of data. In particular, Longino argues that research on the hormonal basis of "sex-differentiated behavior" involves assumptions not only about gender relations but also about human action and agency. She concludes with a discussion of the relation between science, values, and ideology, based on the work of Habermas, Foucault, Keller, and Haraway.

This Book Covers The Syllabi Prescribed By Indian Universities At Undergraduate And Postgraduate Level In Sociology In The Paper Concerned With Sociological Methods And Techniques, Social Survey And Research. After Analysing The Nature Of Sociology And Social Phenomena; Fact, Theory And Concept, The Book Describes, Discusses And Evaluates Sociological Data; Social Research; Historical Method And Techniques Of Sociological Research Including Observation; Experiment; Case Study; Social Survey; Mailed Questionnaire; The Schedule; Rating Scales And Sociometry And Calling Interview. In Social Research Separate Chapters Have Been Devoted To Identification Of Problem Of Research; Review Of Related Literature; Formulation Of Hypothesis; Research Design And Investigation; Sampling And Census Investigation. In The End, There Are Chapters On Content Analysis; Formulation Of Generalisations; Objectivity In Social Research; The Research Report; Inter-Disciplinary Approach; Social Research, Survey And Book-Keeping In India And Statistics In Sociology. While Each Chapter Has Been Written In An Analytical Style, Matter Has Been Drawn From Standard Books. Questions Actually Asked In University Examinations Have Been Given At The End Of Each Chapter For Exercise For Examinations. An Attempt Has Been Made To Use Simple Language Avoiding Technical Jargon As Much As Possible. Tables And Figures Have Been Used To Facilitate Understanding. Thus, The Author Has Left No Stone Unturned To Make This Book An Ideal Textbook For The Students And Reference Work For The Teachers.

In this video, a team of experts discuss objectivity and subjectivity in social research.