This concept is relevant to sociological methods, and refers to the degree to which a researcher is able to remain neutral and impartial in carrying out research, not allowing their own feelings and preconceptions to influence the research design, results and interpretation of the findings. It is particularly relevant to debates about whether sociology can, or should, be ‘scientific’ in its approach. Important related concepts are validity and reliability.
All researchers, whatever their discipline, want their research findings to be taken seriously and accepted by their peers and the wider community. Sociologists are very broadly divided into two ‘camps’ on this issue:
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