Objectivity & Subjectivity

Prepared By
Dr. Anup K Mishra
 Meaning

• Subjective information or writing is based on

personal opinions, interpretations, points of view,
emotions and judgment. It is often considered ill-
suited for scenarios like news reporting or
decision making in business or politics. 

• Objective information or analysis is fact-

based, measurable and observable.
Definition of Objective and
Subjective
• Objective is a statement that is completely
unbiased. It is not touched by the speaker’s
previous experiences or tastes. It is verifiable by
looking up facts or performing mathematical
calculations.

• Subjective  is a statement that has been colored

by the character of the speaker or writer. It often
has a basis in reality, but reflects the perspective
through with the speaker views reality. It cannot
be verified using concrete facts and figures.
Examples of Objective and Subjective

• Objective : scientific facts are objective as

are mathematical proofs; essentially
anything that can be backed up with solid 
data.

• Subjective : opinions, interpretations, and

any type of marketing presentation are all
subjective.
• Many philosophical issues concern questions of
objectivity and subjectivity.
• Of these questions, there are two kinds.
• The first considers whether something is
objective or subjective; We may call
"questions of application"
• the second what it means for something to be
objective or subjective—questions that inquire
as to the very essence of objectivity and
subjectivity. We may call the second kind
"questions of constitution".
subjectivity of the researcher
• Subjectivity guides everything from the
choice of topic that one studies, to
formulating hypotheses, to selecting
methodologies, and interpreting data.
• In qualitative methodology, the researcher
is encouraged to reflect on the values and
objectives he brings to his research and
how these affect the research project..
 A key issue
• ....arises with the recognition of subjectivity is how it
affects objectivity. Two positions have been articulated.
• Many qualitative researchers counterpoise subjectivity
and objectivity.
• Objectivity is said to negate subjectivity since it renders
the observer a passive recipient of external
information, devoid of agency.
• And the researcher's subjectivity is said to negate the
possibility of objectively knowing a social psychological
world. 
Different paradigm, different questions…
1. Beyond numbers
• From ‘what?’ to ‘why?’ questions
• From responses to meanings;
• From (experimental) ‘subjects’ to ‘subjectivities’
• From statistical patterns to rich description
• From scientism to humanism?
• (or varieties of non-mechanistic interpretations of
human activity…- some qualitative models are
also antihumanist!)
2. Re-working criteria for rigour in qualitative
research:
Not replicability, reliability or generalisation
Developing a new vocabulary for quality in qualitative
research
e.g. (see e.g. Denzin & Lincoln, 1995; Parker 2005 etc.)
 Focus

• focus on research as an interpretive practice

• Assumes that our words are productive of
meanings and practices, rather than merely
reflecting these
• From ‘problems’ to resources?
• (And knowing what level of complexity is
right for your research question)
Re-formulating objectivity
• Objectivity as a form of subjectivity (rather than
its opposite)
• All knowledge is situated, generated from a
partial perspective, and has effects
• (there is no ‘god’s eye’ view – omnipresent or
omniscient)
• This means that we have to find ways to work
with subjectivity, to understand its role and
impact, rather than pretend it is not there…
Understanding subjectivity
• As necessary and inevitable
• As amenable to interrogation and evaluation (at
least to some extent)
• As a means to understand research processes
better (rather than a ‘confounding variable’)
• As a means of harnessing the power of change
rather than pretending neutrality? (links with A-
R)
• Strong subjectivity? (rather than objectivity)
• Feminist researchers have been at forefront of
these debates.
 What is good science?

Objectivity is the key to good science.

To be objective, experiments need to be designed

and conducted in a way that does not introduce
bias into the study.
 Bias =
• A prejudiced presentation of material

• A consistent error in estimating a value

Two main types of bias:

1. Sampling bias

2. Measurement Bias
 Sampling Bias
Sample = A group of units selected to be
“measured” from a larger group (the
population).

Sampling bias is introduced when the sample

used is not representative of the population
or inappropriate for the question asked.
Factors that contribute to sampling bias

SAMPLE SIZE: Is the sample big enough to get a good average value?

SELECTION OF SAMPLE: Does the composition of the sample reflect the

composition of the population?

Factors such as location, age, gender, ethnicity, nationality and living

environment can affect the data gathered.

How to minimize sample selection bias:

1. Use a RANDOM SAMPLE = every individual has an equal

likelihood of being chosen.
2. Limit the question asked to the specific group sampled.
 Measurement Bias

Is the method of data collection chosen in such a

way that data collected will best match reality?

Evaluate the technique:

• Measurements taken accurately

• No additions to the environment that
will influence results
• Experiment designed to isolate the
effect of multiple factors
 Summary

Good science depends on a well-designed

experiment that minimizes bias by using the
appropriate:

•Sample size
•Sample selection
•Measurement techniques

***for the question being investigated

 Value freedom v Value relevance

• Value freedom is the idea that all bias should

be eliminated from research
• Only then can it be seen as objective
• But values are complex and can effect what a
researcher chooses to study
• This is value relevance
• The theoretical perspective adopted by the
sociologist has values and assumptions that
may influence the purpose of the research
• Relate this to Ann Oakley’s work
 Values in the research Process
• Objectivity can be difficult to achieve as values
can enter the research process at different stages
• Choosing a topic
• Obtaining funding
• Choosing a method
• Selecting questions
• Recording responses
• Interpreting findings
• Selecting findings to use in report
• Deciding what the research will be used for
 Therefore, is Sociological research a
subjective process?
• Modern Interpretivists would argue that sociology cannot be
objective or value free
• People are social actors and have subjective motivations
• And make sense of the world through interpretations of meanings
• Society is the product of everyday social interaction
• Qualitative methods allow insight into meanings and motives
Characteristics of Subjective and
Objective Morality
• Moral judgments are universally applicable. If a
particular action is right or wrong for one person, it is
also right or wrong for all similarly situated people.
• Moral judgments are important. Thus, moral
judgments must override all other considerations.
• Moral praise must accompany morally right actions &
moral blame must accompany immoral behavior (i.e.
there are rewards and punishments).

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