Basically the idea of objectivity in research presumes that independent reality or truth exists outside of any observation or investigation. The role of the researcher therefore is to unearth the truth without tainting it in any way. The importance of objectivity in research is that in making conclusion which arises from the interpretation or analysis of data, the findings are based on facts derived from actual data and not from the researcher’s emotional values or views. (Kirschstein, 2000).
For a research to be relevant, it should be free of personal bias and objective. This requires the researcher to deal with or express conditions or facts as they are perceived without any form of distortion by interpretations, prejudices, or feelings. For instance, if a researcher had a hypothesis that increase of salaries has the potential to increase employee motivation and consequently the hypothesis was not backed with findings then; there is no point of the researcher to continue arguing that increased employee salaries will lead to increased motivation. In such a situation the argument would be founded not on data based and factual research findings, but on the subjective judgment of the researcher. If a researcher has his own conviction regarding a given subject, then there is no need of even carrying out research.
However other sociologists disagree with the importance of objectivity in research, they propose that in order for a researcher to better understand the given area of study, one should make use of subjectivity and to rely on one’s interpretations, prejudices, or feelings. According to such sociologists by distancing oneself to the subject through the use of standardized methods will delineate the researcher from the subject of study.
Reference:
Kirschstein, R. (2000): Objectivity in research. Retrieved on March 10, 2010 from http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/coi/kirschstein.htm
