Events

The Fallacy of Misplaced Objectivity in Social Science Research: A Logical, Theoretical, and Empiric
12/07/09

Public Lecture: “The Fallacy of Misplaced Objectivity in Social Science Research: A Logical, Theoretical, and Empirical Exposition”

Time: 18:30

Location: CRRC-Azerbaijan, Khazar University, 122 Bashir Safaroglu Street, Baku

Overview: Subjectivity is often treated as an issue to be resolved rather than as an inevitable component of operationalization of constructs and testing of hypotheses. In this presentation, it is argued that this preoccupation with objectivity and its associated perception of rigor has often led to the widespread advocacy of seemingly robust refinements of existing theoretical formulations as well as the deployment of quantitative techniques for construct validation, data collection and analysis.

With the aid of examples from literature, this presentation aims to demonstrate how, upon critical examination of some published pieces of research, one can detect a clear but barely discernible use of self-reference and tautological reasoning behind a façade of ironclad objectivity.  This phenomenon of the “Fallacy of Misplaced Objectivity” is the central focus of the presentation.  It is suggested that, in general, research must be logically and theoretically consistent with the process it is trying to capture if it is to be of practical value.   This presentation aims to stimulate a critical and fundamental look at: (a) uncritical use of quantitative techniques and (b) multi-layered, yet fallacious conceptualizations that effectively conclude where they begin and fail to provide any theoretical illumination or empirical validation.

Lecturer Bio: Dr. Appa Rao Korukonda is Professor & Chairman of Management Information Systems & Computer Information Systems and Director of the Marathon of the Mind project in the College of Business at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.  Currently a Fulbright scholar in Azerbaijan, he holds a  Graduate Diploma in Management from All India Management Association, and two doctoral degrees---a Ph.D. in Management from Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas and a Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in Information Systems and Communications from Robert Morris University, Pittsburgh.  The founder-President of Academy of Business & Administrative Sciences, he has about 10 years of corporate managerial experience prior to entering academia.  Dr. Korukonda has taught at St. Bonaventure University, Texas Tech University, and Helsinki School of Economics and Business & Administration prior to joining Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Korukonda has published in such journals as International Journal of Social Economics, International Journal of Human Computer Studies, Interfaces, Journal of Organization Change Management, Information Science, Group & Organization Studies, International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, OR/MS Today, International Journal of Production Economics, IBS Computing Quarterly, SAM Advanced Management Journal, International Journal of Production Research, AI & Society, World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management  and Sustainable Development, Computers in Human Behavior, Internal Journal of Electronic Healthcare, Annals of Operations Research, and Journal of Business Ethics and has served on a number of editorial boards.   His current research interests include Organizational Studies, Management Information Systems, Human Resource Management, International Management, Philosophy of Science, and Artificial Intelligence.

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