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Unit-24: Methodological Dilemmas and Issues in Qualitative Research

small yet interrelated problems whereas the social scientists have not freed themselves from doing notes
detailed study of the limited problems by historical methods of philosophy.

24.2 Subjectivity and Intangibility of Social Phenomena

the most described difference between the physical and social phenomena and facts is that we can sense
the physical phenomena with our senses whereas it is not possible to inspect many social phenomena
because they are intangible. for example, let us take complete social relations. social relations are
intangible. We cannot see or touch them. they cannot be tasted or smelled. Human emotions, thoughts,
values, principles, traditions, biasness, love are all subjective and intangible therefore these can only
be explained symbolically through words. the result of this symbolization and intangibility is that
there is no definite objective form of social phenomena because of which people view them in their
own view point and therefore, no objectivity and neutrality can be developed in them which is utmost
essential for a scientific study.
the study of social phenomena is a form of study in which a person studies the behaviour of other
person. Because of this objectivity cannot be developed in our work study. if we were to study any
animal plant or any chemical product or heavenly body then there would be no affection with them
and there would have been no biasness, hatred, preconception because these animals or plants are
not our own or extrinsic that is why during their study we can be neutral, detached and unbiased
and our study becomes objective. opposite to this when we study human nature in the form of social
phenomena then the humans are our own or extrinsic so it is obvious to have attachment with people
who are our own and to have biasness, hatred and disliking towards people who are extrinsic. there
is also a possibility of considering our own practise and traditions, values, religion, or family-social
group to be considered superior. it is obvious to have an opposite’s behaviour toward extrinsic people.
In such circumstances in spite of scientific study being possible, it would not be practical. Charles
Veered has written social researcher cannot remain neutral in social world because sociologist studies
the practises, religion, family, institutions, and values of a society and is himself a part of this and
therefore understand or view this in the light of his own view point.
these problems are true to some extent but this truth does not mean that the subjectivity and
intangibility of social phenomena is a hindrance in scientific study. If these problems are considered
hundred present true them this would mean that there should be different techniques to study both
types of phenomena because the physical phenomena are tangible and objective, whereas social
phenomena are subjective and intangible. But form physiological researches we come to know that
no separate techniques are used to study of social or physical phenomena. for example, in both the
types of phenomena we get information in with the help of language.
According to Lundberg remember ablepoint in this subject is that practice, tradition, thought,
experience are all a form of observable human behaviour and like any other behaviour these can be
studied through common techniques. it is true that to study different kinds of behaviour we need to
use different techniques and instruments. for example, some behaviour can be viewed through human
eyes, some are viewed through monitoring instruments and the behaviour of some is seen with the
help of a thermometer or brain waves. the result of all this inspections are described and transmitted
with the help of special words. this rule also applies to social phenomena.
In this subject some people raise a doubt that analysing oneself can be used as a scientific fact? The
answer to this would be yes if the inspector describes and transmits the result of his inspection in
such a language whose testing is possible. it is for this reason that when a doctor measures his own
temperature with the help of a thermometer then nobody doubts him because it is possible to re-
evaluate this. If a sociologist of also do this then there inspection can become scientific fact weather
the topics of the study are practice, traditions, values, religion or their own thoughts or emotions.
Lundberg has rightly said that when we developed the inspection techniques of subjective phenomena

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