Objective:
Opposite of subjective, external or observable, factual, precise, quantitative
Logical, created by an explicit rational procedure, absence of personal or arbitrary decisions, follows specific preestablished rules
Value Free:
Absence of any metaphysical values or assumptions; devoid of a priori philosophical elements, amoral
Lack of influence from personal prejudice or cultural values, devoid of personal opinion, no room for unsupported views, neutral
Unbiased:
Nonrandom error eliminate, absence of systematic error, technically correct
Lack of influence from personal prejudice or cultural values , devoid of personal opinion, no room for unsupported views, neutral
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Race would be meaningless if people did not attach such a social meaning to observable racial differences.
Other social researches have built on Weber‘s ideas. For example, Moore (1973) asked whether majority-group (e.g., Anglo, white) researchers, as “outsiders,” can accurately study racial minorities, since their questions, assumptions, and interests come from a dominant, nonminority perspective. Are the culture, values, and belief system of the dominant white culture appropriate for asking important questions and really understanding the subculture of racial minorities? Similar concerns have been raised regarding gender. 62 Being from a different culture may not preclude researching a group, but is calls for extra care and sensitivity from a researcher.
Weber (1949) also argued that social scientists cannot avoid taking stands on social issues they study. Researchers must be unbiased (i.e., neutral and devoid of personal opinion and unsupported views ) when applying accepted research techniques and focus on the means or mechanisms of how the social world works, not on ends, values, or normative goals. A researcher’s values must be separate from the findings, and he should advocate positions on specific issues only when speaking as a private citizen.
Gouldner (1976) attacked the notion of value-free, objective social science. He argued that the notion of value freedom was used in the past to disguise specific value positions. In fact, value freedom is itself a value-a value in favor of “value free.” Gouldner said that complete value other professionals use the term to hide their own values. He recommended making values explicit. A researcher can be motivated to do research by a desire to do more than dispassionately study the world. He can be motivated by a strong moral desire to effect change, which need not invalidate good research practice.
Mannheim (1936) also questioned the ideas of value neutrality and objectivity. He saw the intellectuals of a society, especially those involved in social research, as occupying a unique social role. A person’s social location in society shapes his or her ideas and viewpoints. Yet, social researchers are separate from other and are less shaped by their social position because they try to learn the viewpoints of other and empathize with all parts of society. Social researchers and intellectuals are not beholden to powerful elites, and they are also less subject to shifts in popular opinion, fads, and crazes. They can and should adopt a relational position-a position apart from any other specific social group, yet in touch with all groups. They should be detached or marginal in society, yet have connections with all parts of society, even parts that are often overlooked or hidden.
CONCLUTION
I want to end this chapter by urging you, as a consumer of social research or a new social researcher, to be self-aware. Be aware of the place of the thinking researcher in modern society ana of the societal context of social research itself. Social researcher and sociologists in particular, bring a unique perspective to the larger society. Social researchers have a responsibility and role as intellectuals in society. They need an awareness of how the society sciences acquired their current place in society . It is easier to understand many ethical and political issues if they are seen in the context of the historical development of the social sciences.
In Chapter 1, we discussed the distinctive contribution of science to modern society and how social research is a source of knowledge about the social world. The perspectives and techniques of social research can be powerful tools for understanding the world. Nevertheless, with that power comes responsibility-a responsibility to yourself, a responsibility to your sponsors, a responsibility to the community of researchers, and a responsibility to the larger society. These responsibilities can and do come into conflict with each other at times.
Ultimately, you personally must decide to conduct research in an ethical manner, to uphold and defend the principles of the social science approach you adopt, and to demand ethical conduct by other. The truthfulness of knowledge produced by social research and its use or misuse depends on individual researchers like you, reflecting on their actions and on how social research fits into society.