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Unit-24: Methodological Dilemmas and Issues in Qualitative Research

differently. But a necessary thing for scientific description is that whatever is said should mean the notes
same for all people—to fulfil this objective the need to develop advanced techniques is experienced.
that is why the categories of ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ are measured with the help of a thermometer and the
categories ‘red’ or ‘yellow’ are measured with the help of light waves. in this way sociologists now
use various types of scales for measurement of qualitative phenomena. from this it is clear that with
the help of suitable techniques it is possible to quantitatively describe any qualitative phenomena.
However, quantitative is any certain scientific description it will always have an element of qualitative
nature. Mitchell writes,” even the most quantitative nature scientists will also have a qualitative stand
in it. our area of thoughts will be more expanded than our measurements, the pre-conceptions that
provide detailed description and generalization to our targets and to the first view of our problems
will always be qualitative in nature. in reality the more we use practical and eligible dependent
measurements the more will the qualitative work be strong, area and interesting.” Quantitative but
this statement does not mean that there is no praiseworthy thing of qualitative science. opposite
to this the practicality of any science depends on this fact that how much qualitatively can a study
object be described. And also this is remembered able that especially in new sciences the qualitative
nature or the qualitative view-point is obvious and there is no point in its criticism. Criticism would
be correct when the scientists think that qualitative technique is the only one technique to study this
and the only description possible is qualitative. He should continuously move towards qualitative
technique and description of qualitative methods and qualitative procedures. the more and more
development of this science depends upon this awareness and endeavour.

self assessment
fill in the blanks:
1. the reality is that the difference between the quantitative and qualitative ____________ is
unscientific.
2. if we describe any ____________ as ‘hot’, ‘cold’, ‘red’, ‘yellow’, etc. then different people
will mean it differently.
3. in reality the more we use practical and eligible dependent ____________ the more will the
qualitative work be strong, area and interesting.

24.4 lack of homogeneity

one speciality of social phenomena is that no two units is same. Because of this dissimilarity it is not
possible to use this in practical form. But the sociologists who have done intense study of society claim
that there are both similarities and differences in a society. for the establishment and management of
society, likeness in the society is very necessary because social relations develop from likenesses and
a society develops from social relations. for example, the relation between ram and shyam is intense
then this is also certain that there would be some or the other similarity between them and based on
this similarity there is so much intensity between their friendship. it may be that both are good players
or are fond of cinema or are drinkers or gamblers. it cannot be that without any similarity between
them they both are good friends. the same thing is valid for a particular sector of social phenomena.
By doing careful study we can find out the similarities between various units of a social phenomenon.
Maciver and Page has written, if we want to give true or real form to ‘one world’ then we will have
to accept the fundamental similarity in the entire human race.
Also there is no fault of the differences in social life. if the human life had only similarities then
our social life would also have been limited and constrained as the life of honeybees and ants. We
cannot imagine such a society that is entirely social phenomena made of either ladies or gents or in
which all are either farmers or workers or judges or engineers or teachers. therefore, without getting

loVely professional uniVersity 175