Methodological Reflection II: Pratical Research and Philosophy of Science

One particular thing that has always been greeted with surprise was and is sociology’s
persistence in methodology. In the curriculum provided to students, sociology treats
methodology as a necessary course. Normally, students with an undergraduate degree would
have two classes of quantitative and qualitative methodology.
Based on my experience, there was a different treatment of approach of research between
quantitative and qualitative. On the quantitative side, students didn’t ask to correlate what he/she
has learned with the philosophical assumptions that underlie their claims. Quantitative lecturers
tend to stand in the pragmatic realm and sometimes only give tiny explanations about ontology
or epistemology issues.
On the other hand, we have a qualitative methodology which has a strong, if not stark,
affinity with philosophy. Approaches such as phenomenology, hermeneutics, or
ethnomethodology stem from intense dialogues with philosophy. I might say that those
approaches can be said as tradition. Moreover, some qualitative methodology proponents held
that researchers must think his/her research procedures so that their findings could be justified.
In practice, I found different realities. What was previously seen as the ideal point
vanished imminently as I encounter the real world. Most of the time, social science researchers
would voluntarily neglect the philosophical understanding of their methodology to get practical
results. Though I’m not prepared to judge thoroughly the research projects that I have joined, my
involvement noticed pragmatist proclivity. For practical reasons, for instance, researchers omit
methodological reflections. Instead, they focus on findings and explanations of that empirical
findings. What surprised me the most is that it was not only quantitative practitioners that leave
methodological reflections but also qualitative supporters who claim to be the defender of
marginalized groups. As of now, I’m still seeking a comprehensive answer. For me, a deadline
project is not a satisfying answer because it’s just part of the whole story. There is more than
that, I believe.
But, one thing is sure for me: in my opinion, social researchers shouldn’t concede to leave
methodological consideration and reflection behind. Practical research purposes must go hand in
hand with philosophical understanding, especially the philosophy of science. Therefore, it is
clear that for a social science student, philosophy of science is a must subject. Philosophy of
science, then, should be taught at the undergraduate level and should stand as an independent
course.