Page 132 - DSOC404_METHODOLOGY_OF_SOCIAL_RESEARCH_ENGLISH

Methodology of Social Research

notes in this way it is clear that the vested interest is the enemy of objectivity and the partner of blind study.
And it is for this reason that when the researcher influenced by his self-interest sees that the outcomes
of his result are coming contradictory or opposing to his own principles then he presents the results
in a distorted or unreal manner to make them according to his own interest and compiles only those
facts that would help in the fulfilment of his own self-interest. In both the situations, the achievement
of neutrality seems like a dream.
9. interference by external interests—there also arises problem when there is interference by
external interests. for example, if there is a research such that in which there is an indication of the
reveal of the black deeds of big business houses such as tata’s and Birla’s then in such a situation the
concerned selfish researcher as Tata's and Birla’s would try to hide the facts so that their wrong deeds
are not revealed and also true facts are not revealed. interference by external interests can also mean
different. in the way a researcher for the protection of his own vested interests presents the real facts
in a distorted manner, similarly the researcher may also hide the real facts in a condition when he feels
that he may protect his own society or group or some shameful aspect of his society or group may
remain hidden because he is also attached with his own society and group. for example, a researcher
may not present the facts related to sexual immorality in his own society or group clearly and with
readiness as compared to the same phenomenon in other society or group and will try to show how
degrading is their morality. in this way external interests are also a hindrance to study objectively
and neutrally the social phenomenon.
10. need of immediate Decision—the lack of objectivity can also be present in the situation when the
research topic is such that in which immediate decision can be taken. the reason for this is also clear.
in haste not only the research work but simple work also fail. in such a situation stress is laid upon
to quickly take a decision not on the compilation of dependent facts or analysis of unbiased facts. in
reality it is not possible to do compilation of sufficient, complete and concerned facts and because of
the need of immediate decision a researcher is dependent upon the facts that are readily available.
it is clear that in such a situation the achievement of objectivity is impossible because the social
phenomenon are so complex that without coming sufficient time for the compilation of the complete
and concerned facts and classifying them and their results must be derived only after sensible and
rational thinking. there is no place for any hurry in social research. in reality to take a social decision
it takes years of hard work but most of the social problems are of such nature that the need to take
immediate decision is experienced and therefore sufficient time is not available for the research on
the topic. Therefore it is difficult to achieve objectivity in reality.
11. bias and prejudice—According to Lundberg, “Bias and Prejudice are the factors that bring
complexity in all sciences but their importance in physical sciences is very less compared to the social
sciences. the main reason behind this is that the social phenomenon becomes the victim of some
common emotional complexes and the study of physical sciences keeps itself aloof from these. it is
for this reason that the perception of physical facts from the normal senses is uniform.” from this
statement it is clear that there is not much hindrance created by bias and prejudice because there is
no emotional relation between them with the researcher and there is no hope of any advantage from
their bias and prejudice. Also, the researcher is not fearful of the fact that if during the study any
weakness of the physical phenomenon is revealed then his ‘humanity’ would be at stake. therefore,
for physical phenomenon he does not feel shy to call truth as truth and to also his thoughts, interests,
values and attitudes are not hurt. And even if he is hurt and is attached with any physical phenomenon,
then also he is not that serious that it becomes impossible for him to carry out his research free from
any bias and prejudices. Keller has rightly written, “A person can count the various or very less feets
of a housefly by not hurting himself and dictate the results.” But it would be a difficult task for a
person who greatly loves his joint family to conclude that a person’s success is only possible after the
destruction of the joint family system. It is because of this that in the field of social phenomenon there
is the presence of bias and prejudice everywhere and this pulls the researcher apart from objectivity.
We can be free from bias while studying plants and animals but when we study our own selves the
same task becomes difficult for us because we fail to completely preserve thoughtful neutrality.

126 loVely professional uniVersity