WRITING THE RESEARCH REPORT AND THE POLITICS OF SOCIAL RESEARCHCHART 2 Objective, Value Free,
and Unbiased
- Objective:
a. Opposite of subjective;external, observable,
factual, precise, quantitative
b. Logical; created by an explicit rational
procedure; absence of personal or arbitrary
decisions; follows specific preestablished rules
meaningful action makes sense only in a cultural
context. For example, when we study racial groups,
the groups are not interested in the biological dif-
ferences between races. Race is a social concept;
we study it because the members of a culture have
attached social meaning to racial appearance. Race
would be meaningless if people did not attach sig-
nificance to observable racial differences.
Other social researchers have built on Weber’s
ideas. For example, Moore (1973) asked whether
majority-group (e.g., Anglo, White) researchers can
accurately study racial minorities as “outsiders,” be-
cause their questions, assumptions, and interests
originate in a dominant, nonminority perspective.
Are the culture, values, and belief system of the
dominant White culture appropriate for asking
important questions and really understanding the
subculture of racial minorities? Similar concerns
have been raised regarding gender.^46 Being from a
different culture may not preclude researching a
group, but it calls for extra care and sensitivity from
a researcher.
Weber (1949) also argued that social scientists
cannot avoid taking stands on the social issues they
2.Value free:
a. Absence of any metaphysical values or
assumptions; devoid of a prioriphilosophical
elements; amoral
b. Lack of influence from personal prejudice or
cultural values; devoid of personal opinion; no
room for unsupported views; neutral
3.Unbiased:
a. Nonrandom error eliminated; absence of
systematic error; technically correct
b. Lack of influence from personal prejudice or
cultural values; devoid of personal opinion; no
room for unsupported views; neutral
study. Researchers mustbe unbiased (i.e., neutral
and devoid of personal opinion and unsupported
views) when applying accepted research techniques
and focus on the means or mechanisms of how the
social world works, not on ends, values, or norma-
tive goals. A researcher’s values must be separate
from the findings, and he or she should advocate po-
sitions on specific issues only when speaking as a
private citizen.
Gouldner (1976) attacked the notion of value-
free, objective social science. He argued that value
freedom was used in the past to disguise specific
value positions. In fact, value freedom is itself a
value—one in favor of “value free.” Gouldner said
that complete value freedom was impossible and
that scientists and other professionals use the term
to hide their own values. He recommended making
values explicit. A researcher can be motivated to do
research by a desire to do more than study the world
dispassionately. The researcher who is motivated by
a strong moral desire to effect change need not in-
validate good research practice.
Mannheim (1936) also questioned the ideas of
value neutralityand objectivity.He saw the intel-
lectuals of a society, especially those involved in so-
cial research, as occupying a unique social role. A
person’s social location in society shapes his or her
ideas and viewpoints, yet social researchers are sep-
arate from most other people. Their social position
influences them less because they make special ef-
forts to learn the viewpoints of other people and em-
pathize with all parts of society. Compared to most
other people, they are less beholden to powerful
elites and less subject to shifts in popular opinion,
fads, and crazes. They can and should adopt a
relational position—a position apart from any
other specific social group yet in touch with all
groups. They should be detached or marginal in so-
ciety yet have connections with all parts of society,
even those that are often overlooked or hidden.Relational position Karl Mannheim’s idea that pro-
fessional academic researchers and intellectuals occupy
a unique social position and are detached from the
major groups in society, which puts them in the best
position to develop unbiased knowledge.