RELEVANCE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES TO UNDERSTAND AND SOLVING CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL

PROBLEMS AT LOCAL, REGIONAL, NATIONAL AND GLOBAL LEVELS.

Social sciences are sometimes criticized as being less scientific than the natural sciences. The social world is much
too complex to be studied as one would study static molecules. The actions or reactions of a molecule or a chemical
substance are always the same when placed in certain situations. On the other hand human behaviour is too complex
for these traditional scientific methodologies, Humans and society do not have certain rules that always have the
same outcome and they cannot guarantee to react the same way to certain situations. Some scientists have expressed
their view that social sciences do not qualify as science and it is characterised as pseudo-science. According to them,
social Sciences do not do things scientifically. Even among these type of criticisms Social sciences help in
understanding and solving contemporary problems at the regional, national and global levels.
Social science research is a systematic method of analysing and conceptualizing human life in order to extend, correct
or verify knowledge of human behaviour and social life. Social science seeks to find explanation to unexplained
social phenomena to clarify the doubtful, and correct the misconceived facts of social life.
Research in social sciences aims to find new facts or verify and test old facts like research in physical or natural
sciences. Social sciences try to understand human behaviour and its interaction with the environment and social
institutions. It tries to find out the cause effect relationship between human activities and natural laws governing
them. To develop new scientific tools, concepts and theories which would facilitate reliable and valid study of human
behaviour and social life is another purpose of Social Science research.
1. Discovery of facts and their interpretation on social mysteries: Research in Social Sciences provides answer to
questions of what, where, when, how and why of man, social life and institutions. Discovery of facts and their
interpretation helps us to discard such distortions and thus enlighten us and contribute to our understanding of
social reality. There are half-truths, pseudo-truths and superstition, and research strengthens our desire for
truth and opens up before our eyes, hidden social mysteries.
2. Diagnosis of problems and their analysis led to appropriate remedial actions: The developing countries face
innumerable problems such as poverty, unemployment, economic inequality, social tension, low productivity,
technological backwardness etc. The nature and dimension of such problems have to be diagnosed and
analysed. Research in Social Sciences plays a significant role in this respect. An analysis of problems leads to
an identification of appropriate remedial actions. After all it will leads to the prosperity of human beings,
society and nation itself.

3. Systematisation of knowledge: The facts and knowledge discovered through research are systematised and the
body of knowledge is developed. A systematised body of knowledge wills properly helps us to implement a
better social planning for the development of entire human society.
4. Control over social phenomena: Research in social science areas equip us with first-hand knowledge about the
organizing and working of the society and its institutions. This knowledge gives us a greater power of control
over the social phenomena.
5. Prediction and ensures order among social facts: Research in social science aims at finding an order among
social facts and their causal relations. This affords a sound basis for prediction in several cases. Although, the
predictions cannot be perfect because of the inherent limitations of Social Sciences, they will be fairly useful
for better social planning and control.
6. Development planning: Planning for socio-economic development calls for baseline data on the various cross-
sections of our society and economy, recourse endowment, people’s needs and aspirations etc. Systematic
research can give us the required data base for planning and designing developmental schemes and
programmes. Analytical studies can illuminate critical areas of policy and testing the validity of planning
assumptions. Evaluation studies point out the impact of the plan, policies and programmes and throw out
suggestions for their proper reformulation.The study of society contributes to the formulation of social
policies which required certain amount of knowledge about that society. Descriptive sociology provides a
great deal of information that is helpful in making decisions on social policy. In India, the solution of the
problem of extreme poverty requires from the sociologists primarily an investigation of the facts such
researches undoubtedly influence social policy. If the society is to develop and prosper, the study of society is
must for politicians, administrators, social reformers, students and teachers.
 7. Social welfare: Research in Social Sciences can unfold and identify the causes of social evils and problems. It
can thus help in taking appropriate remedial actions. It can also give as sound guidelines for appropriate
positive measures of reform and social welfare.

8. Sociology studies society in a scientific way: Before the emergence of sociology there was no systematic and
scientific attempt to study human society with all its complexities. Sociology has made it possible to study
society in a scientific manner. This scientific knowledge about human society is needed in order to achieve
progress in various fields.
9. Sociology is of great importance in the solution of social problems: The present world is suffering from many
problems that can be solved through scientific study of the society. It is the task of sociology to study the
social problems through the methods of scientific research and to find out solution to them. The scientific
study of human affairs will ultimately provide the body of knowledge and principles that will enable us to
control the conditions of social life and improve them.
10. Sociology has changed our outlook with regard to the problems of crime: It is through the study of sociology
that our whole outlook on various aspects of crime has change. The criminals are now treated as human
beings suffering from mental deficiencies and efforts are accordingly made to rehabilitate them as useful
members of the society.
11. Sociology is of great importance in the solution of international problems: The progress made by physical
sciences has brought the nations of the world nearer to each other. But in the social field the world has been
left behind by the revolutionary progress of the science. The world is divided politically giving rise to stress
and conflict. Men have failed to bring in peace. Sociology can help us in understanding the underlying causes
and tensions. Sociology assumes significance in the study of international problems The world which was
seen as a living place spotted by the nations and classes living in isolation have become unified living society
of humanity. But if we take up the social and cultural aspects, we find the humanity at the same age-old level
of barbarism. Nations fight with each other with more fiery instruments of modern warfare. Countries
propagate against each other to acquire narrow goals. It is in this context the study of sociology becomes
important.
12. The value of sociology lies in the fact that it keeps us update on Modern situations: It contributes to making
good citizens and finding solutions to the community problems. It adds to the knowledge of the society. It
helps the individual find his relation to society. The study of social phenomena and of the ways and means of
promoting what Giddens calls social adequacy is one of the most urgent needs of the modern society.
Sociology has a strong appeal to all types of mind through its direct bearing upon many of the initial problems
of the present world.
13. Study of society has helped governments to promote the welfare Of the tribal and marginalized communities:
The tribal and marginalized communities face many socio-economic and cultural problems. Studies
conducted by sociologists and anthropologists regarding tribal societies and problems have helped
governments in undertaking social welfare measures and programmes for the welfare purposes.

CONCLUSION:
The value of sociology lies in the fact that it keeps us up-to-date on modern situations, it contributes to making good
citizens, it contributes to the solution of community problems, it adds to the knowledge of society, it helps the
individual find his relation to society, it identifies good Government with community, it helps one to understand
causes of things. And so on. Sociology has practical value for the individual as it assists him to understand himself,
his resources and limitations, his potentialities and his role in society.