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Methodology of Social Research

notes if theresearcher is not able to maintain this aspiration at a reasonable level, then his report
takes an unnecessary serious form. Unnecessary technical terms not only steal away the
originality of the report but also the excessive technicality makes many aspects unclear. in
reality, seriousness of thoughts and simplicity of language are two contrasting features that
become a major problem in preparing a report.
5. Problem of Concepts—in a factual report, there is a problem associated with concepts. in
reality, there is an acute shortage of concepts in social literature. Whatever we have today is
not concept but a description of various situations. Using concepts, it is possible to express
the complete situations in a few words and there is very little scope of doubt or haziness;
but because there is still very less development of such concepts in social sciences, we have
to unnecessary use detailed description for very ordinary situations wherein enough time
and effort is unnecessarily lost.
6. problem of objectivity—this is a serious problem in preparing a report. Because the
researcher is a part of that same unit of society whose one of the sides of its parts is being
researched upon, so whatever he says regarding the study-subject is to some extent affected
by his thinking, principles, values or attitude. He does not give the description of events
on the basis of actual facts completely but also adds his own thoughts and feelings. this
deforms the originality of the events. Apart from this, the researcher’s own partiality and
favour does affect his presented description and to be able to remain completely unbiased
from these factors is possible for a very few researchers. As these factors creep into the report,
the problem of objectivity arises.
7. Problem of Expressing the Truth—sometimes the survey is related to subjects about which
if everything is said in truth, then it is against the benefit or respect of a particular side. In
such cases, the problem of expressing the truth arises itself; For example, if it is investigated
regarding the senior government officers of the prevalent bribery and corruption, then the
researcher is afraid of writing the truth in his report though he is aware of the poor situation
because he knows that senior officers would either take revenge or he would become a victim
of harsh government action. Therefore, he modifies the reality in his report. Sometimes,
the research or survey reports of surveys conducted by the government are intentionally
lost because if the truth in those reports is made public, it would tarnish the image of the
government. in this way, numerous situations are there when there is a problem to express
the truth.

30.4 Contents of the Report

the contents of the report refer to those topics whose description and explanation are commonly seen
in a balanced report. though all scholars are not unanimous with regard to these contents, still some
common topics can be mentioned which are normally found in all reports.
these topics are as follows-
1. introduction—In all reports, introduction is written first. Really, introduction helps in
introducing the subject to the readers and contains the development of idea of research on the
particular topic, the plan, importance and organization, etc. ideas in brief details. similarly,
introduction about the committee or department undertaking the research, introduction about
the person or organization managing the research operation, selection of working members
and their training, inspections during survey and information obtained are also mentioned in
introduction. in introduction, information regarding time schedule and expense, etc. is also
mentioned. During survey, the problems developed and the methods adopted to overcome
or tackle those problems are also mentioned briefly in introduction. In introduction, the order
of appearance of different topics and their description is also hinted. finally, all persons,

246 loVely professional uniVersity