Objectivity and Subjectivity in Social Research
- Gayle Letherby - University of Plymouth, UK
- John Scott - Plymouth University, UK
- Malcolm Williams - University of Cardiff, UK
Objectivity and subjectivity are key concepts in social research. This book, written by leading authors in the field, takes a completely new approach to objectivity and subjectivity, no longer treating them as opposed - as many existing texts do - but as logically and methodologically related in social research.
The book debates:
- The Philosophical Bases of Objectivity and Relativity
- Situated Objectivity
- Theorized Subjectivity
- Relationism and Dynamic Synthesis
- Social Objects and Realism
- Objectivity, Subjectivity and Public Social Science
The authors explain complex arguments with great clarity for social science students, while also providing the detail and comprehensiveness required to meet the needs of practicing researchers and scholars.
This book is a positive contribution towards mutual understanding in the sometimes fractious debates about epistemology in social research. The authors each bring to bear a depth of knowledge, and engage in a novel 'trialogue' around their perspectives. If you want to get to grips with the issues in thinking about objectivity and subjectivity, you couldn't do better than to read this book.
Rosalind Edwards
University of Southampton
The editors provide solid and accessible accounts of major debates today, their histories, and why they matter. Best of all, after presenting the particular interests that drew each into sociology in different eras, innovative discussions at the end of each singly-authored chapter enable them respectfully to interrogate each other's interpretations of the issues. This brilliant strategy will draw students into the debates in a most engaging way.
Sandra Harding
University of California, Los Angeles
This book is a positive contribution towards mutual understanding in the sometimes fractious debates about epistemology in social research. The authors each bring to bear a depth of knowledge, and engage in a novel 'trialogue' around their perspectives. If you want to get to grips with the issues in thinking about objectivity and subjectivity, you couldn't do better than to read this book.
Rosalind Edwards
University of Southampton
