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Unit-2: Objectivity/Value Neutrality

the results obtained from study are good or bad, right or wrong, pleasing or disheartening, but the note
scholar presents them in the form in which they are originally in. He does not add anything from his
side, does not eliminate anything as well as does not hide anything. He simply searches truth and
represents it in the true form. In other words, we can say that objectivity is related to finding the truth
while representing events in the original form is objectivity.
explaining the concept of objectivity, Prof. Green has written, “the desire and ability to test the facts
and evidences in an impartial way is objectivity.” In this definition, there is stress on two points, one
is desire for impartial study and the other is its ability. it means that the researcher should have strong
will power to view and present events in the original form. Ability refers to the neutral perspective
i.e. to discard one’s views, feelings, values, ideals, prejudices, etc to remain independent, so that a
scientific perspective is adopted for study.
Lavelle J. Kaar has written. “the world in reality is made up of different types of events independent
of a person’s beliefs, expectations and fears and we can understand every bit of it not from personal
views and imagination but by original survey.” From this definition, it is clear that the study of this
happening world is only possible by unbiased survey wherein there is no importance to researcher’s
thoughts, values, beliefs, expectations, desires and imaginations.
According to Fairchild, “ objectivity refers to the ability by which a scholar or researcher is able to keep
away from situations of which he himself is a part of and without any attachment or feelings is able
to survey the different facts in the original form in a unbiased way and independent of prejudices.”
From the above definitions we can say that objectivity is viewing and presenting events in their real
form by being unbiased. the root bases of objectivity include the unbiased perspective of researcher,
real survey and analysis and presentation of facts in their original form.

2.2 Need of Scientific Study: Importance of Objectivity

the main motive of research is gain knowledge or practical results. this is only possible when the
study is completely objective. if the analysis is not done in a fair manner, the facts have not been
compiled in the correct manner, if there is some biasness in the analysis of the facts then in such a
situation, the result obtained can never be scientific, practical and objective. When there will be a
deficiency of objectivity in the results, then practical knowledge cannot be gained and truth cannot
be explored. therefore, to know the reason of incidents there is very much need of objectivity in the
study of especially social researches. The importance of objectivity and scientific study will be clear
from the below description:
1. To make Sociological Studies Scientific: some people believe that sociological studies are
not scientific and that sociology is not a science. Because of their belief, it is difficult to adopt
the subjective view-point of the researcher because the personal belief, prediction, and likes-
dislikes of him destroy the practicality and scientificness. But if the researcher has a firm
determination to preserve the objectivity then the social incidents can be studied in a objective
manner. If the researcher has firm determination to find the reality of social incidents and
he continuously puts efforts in this direction then social researches can be made scientific.
therefore it is necessary that the social incidents must be studied in a practical manner and
scientific methods must be followed strictly as per rules. If the incidents are truly pictured
then any research can be made scientific.
2. For Successful Use of Scientific Method: It is necessary to use scientific methodology to reach
the truth. But practical and scientific results cannot be obtained from this approach itself. If
it is used along with objectivity then real knowledge can be obtained and scientificness can
be brought in the study. In reality, scientific approach and objectivity are the two faces of a
coin. In scientific study we do the compilation, classification and analysis of social incidents

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