Social Science Research: A Critical Reappraisal

Abstract

social researchers ’ claim o f representing reality has been contested from poststructuralist
point o f view that reality cannot be known through language. For
language cannot contain and thus reflect reality. Rather it mediates power in the
hands o f the specialists. Furthermore, researchers themselves define the problem
and formulate policies. Therefore, the subjects do not have voice. Hence one side
o f the reality always remains out o f the academic discourse.