Q: Do you think that common sense is the starting point of social research? What are its advantages and limitations? Explain.

Model Answer:

Common sense is a basic ability to perceive, understand, and judge things, which is shared by nearly all people without the need for debate. In social research, common sense can serve as an initial point of reference, providing a basic understanding of human behavior and societal phenomena. However, it is not without its limitations.

Advantages of Common Sense in Social Research

1. Easy Comprehension: The use of common sense in social research makes the findings more relatable and easier to understand for the general public. For example, Max Weber’s concept of ‘verstehen’ or interpretive understanding, which is rooted in common sense, helps in comprehending social action.

2. Initial Hypothesis Formation: Common sense can help in forming initial hypotheses or assumptions in social research. For instance, Emile Durkheim’s study of suicide rates was initially based on the common-sense notion that social integration influences suicidal tendencies.

3. Grounded Theory: The use of common sense can lead to the development of grounded theory in social research, where theories are built from the ground up, based on observations and experiences.

4. Practical Solutions: Common sense can provide practical solutions to social issues. For example, Robert K. Merton’s ‘Middle Range Theory’ which is based on observable facts and common sense, aids in solving real-world problems.

5. Ethnographic Insights: Ethnographers often rely on common sense to understand the social and cultural dynamics of a community, as Clifford Geertz’s interpretive approach in anthropology suggests.

Limitations of Common Sense in Social Research

1. Subjectivity: Common sense is subjective and varies from person to person. What may seem like common sense to one person may not be the same for another. This subjectivity can lead to biases in social research.

2. Lack of Empirical Evidence: Common sense often lacks empirical evidence and is based on personal beliefs and experiences. This can lead to inaccurate conclusions in social research.

3. Over-Simplification: Common sense can lead to oversimplification of complex social phenomena, obscuring the underlying dynamics and structures.

4. Resistant to Change: Common sense is often resistant to change and can hinder the development of new theories and concepts in social research.

5. Cultural Relativism: Common sense is culturally relative, and what is considered common sense in one culture may not be the same in another. This cultural relativism can limit the applicability of common sense in cross-cultural social research.

Conclusion

While common sense can provide a starting point in social research, it is essential to move beyond it to gain a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of social phenomena. Sociologists like Pierre Bourdieu have emphasized the importance of scientific objectivity in social research, which goes beyond common sense. Therefore, a balanced approach that combines common sense with scientific methods is crucial in social research.