4118 srm introductory

8/8/2019 4118 SRM Introductory

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SCIENCE AND SCIENTIFICSCIENCE AND SCIENTIFIC

RESEARCHRESEARCH-- An IntroductionAn Introduction

To understand science and scientificTo understand science and scientific

approach one must understand the scientificapproach one must understand the scientificlanguages and the approach the scientists use.languages and the approach the scientists use.

For Example: Economic Development,For Example: Economic Development,

Independent and Dependent variable,Independent and Dependent variable,

Randomization , Stratification, Parameter andRandomization , Stratification, Parameter and

Statistics, Scaling of Attributes etc.Statistics, Scaling of Attributes etc.


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Commonsense and scientific approachCommonsense and scientific approach

A common man and the scientist both fix upA common man and the scientist both fix up

beliefs and test hypotheses relating to behaviorbeliefs and test hypotheses relating to behavior

of phenomena: Consider the following:of phenomena: Consider the following:

Women are more religious than men in IndiaWomen are more religious than men in India

Advertisement should have gender consideration forAdvertisement should have gender consideration for

better impact.better impact.

People from a caste or ethnic group are enterprising.People from a caste or ethnic group are enterprising.

Investment in company X is profitable.Investment in company X is profitable.

Sales and advertizing expenditures are +Sales and advertizing expenditures are +lyly relatedrelated

These could be beliefs based on commonsense.These could be beliefs based on commonsense.


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ButScience and commonsense differ in aButScience and commonsense differ in a

variety of ways in fixing beliefs.variety of ways in fixing beliefs.

Commonsense observes and relatesCommonsense observes and relates

variables in an unsystematic i.e.variables in an unsystematic i.e.

unorganized & unplanned way.unorganized & unplanned way.It often generalizes behavior ofIt often generalizes behavior of

phenomena in an uncontrolled way.phenomena in an uncontrolled way.

It tests hypotheses in a selective wayIt tests hypotheses in a selective way i.ei.e .it.it

selects evidences and gives explanationselects evidences and gives explanation

simply because it is consistent with hissimply because it is consistent with his

hypothesis.hypothesis.


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The Scientist's approach is different.The Scientist's approach is different.

Scientific approach is a systematically builtScientific approach is a systematically built

theoretical structure ( with a structured designtheoretical structure ( with a structured design

and a plan of investigation).and a plan of investigation).

It tests beliefs/theories empirically and in aIt tests beliefs/theories empirically and in a

controlled condition, where ever necessary.controlled condition, where ever necessary.

A scientist knowing the selection tendency to beA scientist knowing the selection tendency to be

a common psychological phenomenon, carefullya common psychological phenomenon, carefullyguards his research against his ownguards his research against his own

preconception and predilections (liking).preconception and predilections (liking).


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The Scientist's approachThe Scientist's approach

Obvious relationshipsObvious relationships are empiricallyare empirically

tested and established. e.g.tested and established. e.g.

Demand is inversely related to price. AdvertisingDemand is inversely related to price. Advertisingexpenditure & sale volume are positively related,expenditure & sale volume are positively related,

brand loyalty & economic status are relatedbrand loyalty & economic status are related

Metaphysical explanations are ruled out inMetaphysical explanations are ruled out in

scientific approach which lack empirical support.scientific approach which lack empirical support.


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Methods of fixing belief or generalizingMethods of fixing belief or generalizing

behavior of phenomenabehavior of phenomena

Method of Tenacity.Method of Tenacity.

Holding a belief since " people believe it to be true"Holding a belief since " people believe it to be true"

-- Not trying to negateNot trying to negate

Method of authority:Method of authority:

If religious book says it to be trueIf religious book says it to be true

If a physicist of repute says it to be trueIf a physicist of repute says it to be true

A priori method or Method of intuitionA priori method or Method of intuition

Beliefs/relationships between variables based onBeliefs/relationships between variables based on

reasons or a priori argument.reasons or a priori argument.


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Methods for fixing belief..Methods for fixing belief..ContdContd

Method of Science:Method of Science:

Fixing beliefs is based on built in checks, selfFixing beliefs is based on built in checks, self

correction all along the way of highlightingcorrection all along the way of highlighting

behavior and analysis of relationship betweenbehavior and analysis of relationship between

phenomena.phenomena.

In doing so, one goes outside himself, hisIn doing so, one goes outside himself, his

tradition & authority ,his beliefs biases, valuestradition & authority ,his beliefs biases, valuesattitude and emotions.attitude and emotions.

Subjective beliefs are checked against objectiveSubjective beliefs are checked against objective

reality.reality.


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SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHSCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

-- A DEFINITIONA DEFINITION

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IS DEFINEDSCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IS DEFINEDAS AAS A SYSTEMATIC, CONTROLLED,SYSTEMATIC, CONTROLLED,EMPIRICAL AND CRITICALEMPIRICAL AND CRITICAL

INVESTIGATIONINVESTIGATION OF HYPOTHETICALOF HYPOTHETICALPROPOSITIONS ABOUT PRESUMEDPROPOSITIONS ABOUT PRESUMEDRELATIONS AMONGST OBSERVEDRELATIONS AMONGST OBSERVEDPHENOMENA.PHENOMENA.

SUBJECTIVE BELIEFS ARE CHECKEDSUBJECTIVE BELIEFS ARE CHECKEDAGAINST OBJECTIVE REALITYAGAINST OBJECTIVE REALITY


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Aim of Scientific ResearchAim of Scientific Research

Aim of scientific research is basicallyAim of scientific research is basically

theorizing thetheorizing the behaviourbehaviour/relationship/relationship

between variables/phenomena.between variables/phenomena.

Scientific Research establishes generalScientific Research establishes general

laws covering the behavior of empiricallaws covering the behavior of empirical

events and enables us to connect togetherevents and enables us to connect together

our knowledge of separately known eventsour knowledge of separately known eventsor explain the relationship betweenor explain the relationship between

variables and make reliable predictions.variables and make reliable predictions.


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SCIENTIFIC STATUS OF A SCIENCESCIENTIFIC STATUS OF A SCIENCE

IT DEPENDS ON THE DEGREE ANDIT DEPENDS ON THE DEGREE AND

ACCURACY OF THE FOUR ASPECTSACCURACY OF THE FOUR ASPECTS

MENTIONED IN THE DEFINITION OFMENTIONED IN THE DEFINITION OF

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.

THIS FIXES UP LIMITS WITH RESPECT TOTHIS FIXES UP LIMITS WITH RESPECT TO

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND SOCIALPHYSICAL SCIENCES AND SOCIAL

SCIENCES (EXACT AND INEXACTSCIENCES (EXACT AND INEXACT

SCIENCES).SCIENCES).


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SESSION IISESSION II

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN SOCIAL SCIENCESSCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN SOCIAL SCIENCES

IN SOCIAL SCIENCE WE STUDY THEIN SOCIAL SCIENCE WE STUDY THE

BEHAVIOUR OF SOCIAL PHENOMENA.BEHAVIOUR OF SOCIAL PHENOMENA.

QUESTIONS ARISES HERE IS CAN HUMANQUESTIONS ARISES HERE IS CAN HUMAN

BEHAVIOR BE SUBJECTED TO SCIENTIFICBEHAVIOR BE SUBJECTED TO SCIENTIFICENQUIRY ?ENQUIRY ?

THE ANSWER TO THIS DEPENDS ON THETHE ANSWER TO THIS DEPENDS ON THE

DEGREE OF THE FOUR ASPECTSDEGREE OF THE FOUR ASPECTSMENTIONED IN THE DEFINITION OFMENTIONED IN THE DEFINITION OF

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.


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STATUS OF SOCIAL SCIENCESTATUS OF SOCIAL SCIENCE

FOR THIS WE MAY EXMINE THE SEVERALFOR THIS WE MAY EXMINE THE SEVERAL

SIMILARITIES AND DISSIMILARITIESSIMILARITIES AND DISSIMILARITIES

BETWEEN SOCIAL SCIENCES ANDBETWEEN SOCIAL SCIENCES AND

PHYSICAL/NARURAL SCIENCES WITHPHYSICAL/NARURAL SCIENCES WITHSPECIAL REFERENCE TO CONDUCTINGSPECIAL REFERENCE TO CONDUCTING

RESEARCH IN THESE SCIENCESRESEARCH IN THESE SCIENCES

THUS, THE CHARACIERISTICS OF SOCIALTHUS, THE CHARACIERISTICS OF SOCIAL

SCIENCES MAY BE HIGHLIGHTEDSCIENCES MAY BE HIGHLIGHTED


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1. SOCIAL SCIENTISTS LIKE THE PHYSICAL

SCIENTISTS SEEK TO DISCOVER REGULARITY AND

ORDER IN SOCIAL BEHAVIOR

THIS IS DONE THROUGHTHIS IS DONE THROUGH

ii)) OBSERVATION AND MEASUREMENTOBSERVATION AND MEASUREMENT OF SOCIALOF SOCIAL

BEHAVIOUR / VARIABLES.BEHAVIOUR / VARIABLES.QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE VARIABLESQUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE VARIABLES

COULD BE MEASUREDCOULD BE MEASURED

A SYSTEMATIC MEASUREMENT MUST BE JUDGEDA SYSTEMATIC MEASUREMENT MUST BE JUDGED

ON THE BASIS OF ITS UTILITY RATHER THANON THE BASIS OF ITS UTILITY RATHER THANABSOLUTE TRUTH IN SOCIAL SCIENCES.ABSOLUTE TRUTH IN SOCIAL SCIENCES.

e.g. Intelligence, brand loyalty etce.g. Intelligence, brand loyalty etc


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ii) DISCOVERING REGULARITIESii) DISCOVERING REGULARITIES

AND FRAMING THEORIES IN SOCIAL SIENCES.AND FRAMING THEORIES IN SOCIAL SIENCES.

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING REGULARITIES IN BOTH THECONSIDER THE FOLLOWING REGULARITIES IN BOTH THE

SCIENCES.SCIENCES.

An object falling to earth, water flowing downstream,HAn object falling to earth, water flowing downstream,H22 O isO is

water, application of fertilizer results in a good crop.water, application of fertilizer results in a good crop.

Women are more religious than men, higher income houseWomen are more religious than men, higher income house

holds have luxury cars/CD players etc., buying a share ofholds have luxury cars/CD players etc., buying a share of

company X is profitable.company X is profitable.

REGULARITIES IN SOCIAL SCIENCE REPRESENTREGULARITIES IN SOCIAL SCIENCE REPRESENT

PROBABILISTIC PATTERN.PROBABILISTIC PATTERN.

FIXES LIMITS FOR SUBJECTIVITY ANDFIXES LIMITS FOR SUBJECTIVITY AND

OBJECTIVITYY(POSITIVISM) IN BOTH THE SCIENCESOBJECTIVITYY(POSITIVISM) IN BOTH THE SCIENCES

PHYSICAL SCIENCES ARE MORE REGULAR THAN SOCIALPHYSICAL SCIENCES ARE MORE REGULAR THAN SOCIAL

SCIENCES:SCIENCES:


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2. LOGICAL REASONING IN PHYSIACAL AND2. LOGICAL REASONING IN PHYSIACAL AND

SOCIAL SCIENCES.SOCIAL SCIENCES.

REASONING: DEDUCTIVE AND INDUCTIVEREASONING: DEDUCTIVE AND INDUCTIVE

DEDUCTIVE REASONING IS A PROCESS FROM GENERALDEDUCTIVE REASONING IS A PROCESS FROM GENERAL

PRINCIPLE TO SPECIFIC INSTANCES.PRINCIPLE TO SPECIFIC INSTANCES.

INDUCTIVE REASONING IS A PROCESS FROM SPECIFICINDUCTIVE REASONING IS A PROCESS FROM SPECIFICOBSERVATIONS TO GENERAL PRINCIPLESOBSERVATIONS TO GENERAL PRINCIPLES

DEDUCTIVE METHOD IS STRONGER IN HAVING THEORITICALDEDUCTIVE METHOD IS STRONGER IN HAVING THEORITICAL

SUPPORT WHEREAS, INDUCTIVE METHOD IS STRONGER INSUPPORT WHEREAS, INDUCTIVE METHOD IS STRONGER IN

EMPIRICAL SUPPORT.EMPIRICAL SUPPORT.

A CYCLICAL PROCESS OF INDUCTION AND DEDUCTION AREA CYCLICAL PROCESS OF INDUCTION AND DEDUCTION ARE

FOLLOWED IN BOTH THE CIENCES WITH RESPECT TOFOLLOWED IN BOTH THE CIENCES WITH RESPECT TO

THEORISING BEHAVIOUR/PHENOMENA.THEORISING BEHAVIOUR/PHENOMENA.

THEORIES ARE TESTED AND RESTATEDTHEORIES ARE TESTED AND RESTATED


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3.DETERMINISM IN SOCIAL SCIENCE3.DETERMINISM IN SOCIAL SCIENCE

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING PHENOMENACONSIDER THE FOLLOWING PHENOMENAIN THE ECONOMYIN THE ECONOMY..

There is a steady growth of FDI in IndiaThere is a steady growth of FDI in India

after 1990s, BSEafter 1990s, BSE sensexsensex is falling overis falling overthe last few months, cost of production ofthe last few months, cost of production ofX is increasing, increase in advX is increasing, increase in advexpenditure has not resulted in increase inexpenditure has not resulted in increase in

the market share of a product, price rise ofthe market share of a product, price rise ofcar over the last few years has not beencar over the last few years has not beenassociated with a decline in demand etc.associated with a decline in demand etc.


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NOTHING JUST HAPPENS. ALL EVENTS HAVENOTHING JUST HAPPENS. ALL EVENTS HAVE

ANTECEDENT CAUSES ORANTECEDENT CAUSES ORA PRIORIA PRIORI

REASONSREASONS(THE THEORY OF CAUSATION(THE THEORY OF CAUSATION ))THERE COULD BE SINGLE OR MULTIPLETHERE COULD BE SINGLE OR MULTIPLE

CAUSES FOR ALL THE PHENOMENA.CAUSES FOR ALL THE PHENOMENA.

VERY OFTEN THE CAUSES LEADING TOVERY OFTEN THE CAUSES LEADING TOTHE OCCURANCE OF AN EVENT/THE OCCURANCE OF AN EVENT/

PHENOMENON ARE KNOWN ASPHENOMENON ARE KNOWN AS

DETERMINANTS .DETERMINANTS .

THERE IS A PROBABILISTIC DETERMINISMTHERE IS A PROBABILISTIC DETERMINISMIN THE BEHAVIOUR OF SOCIOEIN THE BEHAVIOUR OF SOCIOE--CONOMICCONOMIC

PHENOMENA.PHENOMENA.


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4. GENERALISATION4. GENERALISATION

A SOCIAL SCIENTIST BEGINS TO EXPLAIN AA SOCIAL SCIENTIST BEGINS TO EXPLAIN ALIMITED RANGE OF SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ORLIMITED RANGE OF SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ORBEHAVIOUR OF A LIMITED SUBBEHAVIOUR OF A LIMITED SUB--SET OFSET OFPOPULATION AND THEN NORMALLYPOPULATION AND THEN NORMALLY

EXPANDS HIS FINDINGS TO EXPLAIN THEEXPANDS HIS FINDINGS TO EXPLAIN THEBEHAVIOUR OF OTHER SUBBEHAVIOUR OF OTHER SUB--SETS (i.e. S/heSETS (i.e. S/hegeneralizes the behavior of variables )generalizes the behavior of variables )

THE PROCESS OF INDUCTION IS USEFUL INTHE PROCESS OF INDUCTION IS USEFUL INGENERALIZATION, BUT THE SCIENTIST ISGENERALIZATION, BUT THE SCIENTIST ISNOT INTERESTED IN SPECIFICNOT INTERESTED IN SPECIFICOBSERVATIONOBSERVATION


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For example:For example:

A RESEARCHER IS LESS INTERESTED IN THEA RESEARCHER IS LESS INTERESTED IN THEINDIVIDUAL RESPONSE TO A PRICE CHANGE;INDIVIDUAL RESPONSE TO A PRICE CHANGE;RATHER HE IS INTERESTED IN THE GENERALRATHER HE IS INTERESTED IN THE GENERALBEHAVIOUR OF THE CONSUMERS.BEHAVIOUR OF THE CONSUMERS.

A DISCOVERY OF A CERTAIN BEHAVIOUR OF AA DISCOVERY OF A CERTAIN BEHAVIOUR OF AGROUP OF PEOPLE IS LESS USEFUL THAN THATGROUP OF PEOPLE IS LESS USEFUL THAN THATHAS UNIVERSAL APPLICATION.HAS UNIVERSAL APPLICATION.

HOWEVER, GENERALISATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE ISHOWEVER, GENERALISATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE IS

RELATED TO PROBABILISTIC DETERMINISM.RELATED TO PROBABILISTIC DETERMINISM.

Hypothesis testing with F & t statistics.Hypothesis testing with F & t statistics.


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5. PARSIMONY5. PARSIMONY

MULTIPLE CAUSATION SUGGESTS THATMULTIPLE CAUSATION SUGGESTS THATSOCIAL/ECONOMIC PHENOMENA ARE EXPLAINEDSOCIAL/ECONOMIC PHENOMENA ARE EXPLAINEDUSING MULTIVARIATE MODELS WHERE SEVERALUSING MULTIVARIATE MODELS WHERE SEVERALVARIABLES AREVARIABLES ARE USED.USED.

ADDITIONAL VARIABLES INCREASEADDITIONAL VARIABLES INCREASEEXPLANATORY POWER OF A MODEL (IN AEXPLANATORY POWER OF A MODEL (IN ADEPENDENCY RELATIONSHIP), BUT IT ALSODEPENDENCY RELATIONSHIP), BUT IT ALSOCOMPLICATES THE RELATIONSHIP (MODEL) ANDCOMPLICATES THE RELATIONSHIP (MODEL) ANDMAKES ESTIMATION DIFFICULT.MAKES ESTIMATION DIFFICULT.

USE OF MORE VARIABLES DECREASESUSE OF MORE VARIABLES DECREASES

GENERALIZABILITY SINCE DIFFERENT VARIABLESGENERALIZABILITY SINCE DIFFERENT VARIABLESMAY HAVE DIFFERENT IMPACT ON DIFFERENTMAY HAVE DIFFERENT IMPACT ON DIFFERENTPOPULATION SUBPOPULATION SUB--SET.SET.


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Consider the following:Consider the following:

Expenditure of a H.H on a Commodity may depend onExpenditure of a H.H on a Commodity may depend on

the following:the following:

Income of the householdIncome of the household, Family members, Cost of, Family members, Cost of

living, Standard of living,living, Standard of living, Price of the commodityPrice of the commodity,,Location of H.H.. Season, Attitude of a person,Location of H.H.. Season, Attitude of a person,

Demonstration effect, Management of the house hold,Demonstration effect, Management of the house hold,

Durability of the product,Durability of the product, Price of substitutePrice of substitute ,Cultural,Cultural

back ground ,Proximity to market, Sex ration in theback ground ,Proximity to market, Sex ration in the h.hh.h..

Media advertisement for the product, Price ofMedia advertisement for the product, Price ofcomplimentary goods. Quantity of consumption etc.complimentary goods. Quantity of consumption etc.

etc.etc.


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THUS, ONE HAS TO IDENTIFY THE MORE ORTHUS, ONE HAS TO IDENTIFY THE MORE OR

LESS RELEVANT VARIABLES WITH ALESS RELEVANT VARIABLES WITH A

PRIORI REASONING.PRIORI REASONING.

A JUDICIOUS DECISION IS WARRANTED INA JUDICIOUS DECISION IS WARRANTED INEXPLAINING SOCIOEXPLAINING SOCIO--ECONOMICECONOMIC

BEHAVIOUR.BEHAVIOUR.

PARSIMONY IN SOCIAL SCIENCE REFERS TOPARSIMONY IN SOCIAL SCIENCE REFERS TOMORE UNDERSTANDING FROM LEASTMORE UNDERSTANDING FROM LEAST

VARIABLESVARIABLES


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6.6. SPECIFICITYSPECIFICITYIT REFERS TO THE SPECIFICATION OF METHODS OFIT REFERS TO THE SPECIFICATION OF METHODS OF

MEASUREMENT OF VARIABLESMEASUREMENT OF VARIABLES

ConceptualisationConceptualisation of variables and use of proxyof variables and use of proxy

variablesvariables

Conceptualizing and measuring of variablesConceptualizing and measuring of variablesdiffers in physical and social sciences e.g.differs in physical and social sciences e.g.

-- acceleration, force, gravitation.acceleration, force, gravitation.

-- Industrialization, brand preference,Industrialization, brand preference,

spendthriftnessspendthriftness, literacy, Intelligence., literacy, Intelligence.religiocityreligiocity etcetc

We useWe use proxyvariablesproxyvariables in social sciencesin social sciences


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77.EMPIRICAL VERIFICATION.EMPIRICAL VERIFICATION

FORMULATION OF GENERAL LAWS OR MODELSFORMULATION OF GENERAL LAWS OR MODELSARE NOT USEFUL UNLESS THEY CAN BE VERIFIEDARE NOT USEFUL UNLESS THEY CAN BE VERIFIEDTHROUGH COLLECTION AND MANUPULATION OFTHROUGH COLLECTION AND MANUPULATION OFDATA.DATA.

EXPLANATION OF MODELS MUST MAKE SENSEEXPLANATION OF MODELS MUST MAKE SENSEAND THEY MUST CORRESPOND TO WHAT IS BEINGAND THEY MUST CORRESPOND TO WHAT IS BEINGACTUALLY STUDIED/OBSERVED. E.g.ACTUALLY STUDIED/OBSERVED. E.g.

Personal Expenditure = f ( Income)Personal Expenditure = f ( Income)

Brand Pref.= f (Awareness and Economic Status)Brand Pref.= f (Awareness and Economic Status)Economic Development = f (Industrialization)Economic Development = f (Industrialization)

Relationship is meaningless unless variables areRelationship is meaningless unless variables arespecified and data could be collected on them.specified and data could be collected on them.


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8. INTERSUBJECTIVITY8. INTERSUBJECTIVITY

SUBJECTIVITY DIFFERES BETWEENSUBJECTIVITY DIFFERES BETWEENSOCIAL SCIENTISTS.SOCIAL SCIENTISTS.

InterInter--subjectivity refers to situations in whichsubjectivity refers to situations in whichdifferent social scientists will arrive atdifferent social scientists will arrive at

different conclusions using their own ideasdifferent conclusions using their own ideasand perceptions on variables and theirand perceptions on variables and theirrelationships. But when the study isrelationships. But when the study isreplicated using a reported design andreplicated using a reported design andmethodology the ideas may converge.methodology the ideas may converge.

If it is not, then there is a paradigm shift orIf it is not, then there is a paradigm shift orchange in the theory.change in the theory.


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9.OPENNESS TO MODIFICATIONS9.OPENNESS TO MODIFICATIONS

PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES ARE OPEN TOPHYSICAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES ARE OPEN TOCOUNTLESS MODIFICATION AND RESTATEMENTCOUNTLESS MODIFICATION AND RESTATEMENTOF THEORIES.OF THEORIES.

THIS IS MORE TRUE WITH SOCIAL SCIENCE SINCETHIS IS MORE TRUE WITH SOCIAL SCIENCE SINCE

SOCIAL PHENOMENA COME UNDER THE PERVIEWSOCIAL PHENOMENA COME UNDER THE PERVIEWOF IDEOLOGY:OF IDEOLOGY:RELIGIOUS,SOCIOPLITICAL,SOCIOECONOMIC ANDRELIGIOUS,SOCIOPLITICAL,SOCIOECONOMIC ANDPHILOSOPHICAL ON THE ONE HAND,HUMANE ANDPHILOSOPHICAL ON THE ONE HAND,HUMANE ANDPSYCHOLOGICAL ON THE OTHER.PSYCHOLOGICAL ON THE OTHER.

E.g. Recent research on Atoms LargeE.g. Recent research on Atoms Large HadronHadron Collider &Collider &and medical research on human brain in physicaland medical research on human brain in physicalsciences and various modifications in social sciences.sciences and various modifications in social sciences.


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A Concluding RemarkA Concluding Remark

The characteristics of social science discussedThe characteristics of social science discussedabove may suggest that scientific research isabove may suggest that scientific research ispossible in the field of social sciences.possible in the field of social sciences.

However, a caveat is in order.However, a caveat is in order.Subjective beliefs are checked against objectiveSubjective beliefs are checked against objective

reality in social science but the process and outreality in social science but the process and outcome are less exact as compared to the physicalcome are less exact as compared to the physical

sciences. The degree of exactness differs withsciences. The degree of exactness differs withrespect to the nature of social sciences.respect to the nature of social sciences.

4118 srm introductory

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