Authors :
Sujay Rao Mandavilli
Volume/Issue :
Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 2 - February
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3IIfn9N
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3xHDfXV
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7662851
Abstract :
The Sociological Ninety ten rules that are
proposed in this paper, are based on the fundamental
premise that various branches of social sciences like
sociology, anthropology and economics are humancentric and are therefore inexact, and vary
fundamentally from the more precise and exact sciences
like physics, chemistry and mathematics which are
characterized by precision and exactitude. A high degree
of precision and certainty may not therefore manifest
themselves in various branches of the social sciences,
even if they at times make use of mathematical models or
statistical techniques. Therefore, for every postulated
rule in most fields in the social sciences, there are likely
to be many different exceptions. These may be described
as cultural variations and cultural exceptions, and
exceptions over time or space. The name ‘Ninety ten’ is
only an easy-to-understand and easy-to-use
nomenclature. Real world exceptions to any given
observation could be twenty per cent, five per cent, or
take on any other value, but the above nomenclature is
chosen for convenience. Variations across or within
cultures or within or in between socio-cultural groups,
socio-economic groups, occupational groups or any other
parameter must be assessed based on the principles that
we propose. This may be a basis for splitting up such
groups if necessary for further study and evaluation, and
the prerogative for this lies with the researcher. Thus,
not only rule-based reasoning but also case-based
reasoning must be used for various fields in the social
sciences. Therefore, a fundamental premise of this paper
is that exceptions must be sought actively, as these will
lead to better research and hypothesis formulation.
Thus, every researcher must think of rules and
exceptions to those rules, and this must become a
mindset. If exceptions are significant, they may warrant
an altogether different line of research. This process will
also greatly aid in inductive analysis, nomothetic rulebuilding and theorization, and play a major role in the
‘Globalization of science’, particularly social sciences.
The Sociological Ninety ten rules that are
proposed in this paper, are based on the fundamental
premise that various branches of social sciences like
sociology, anthropology and economics are humancentric and are therefore inexact, and vary
fundamentally from the more precise and exact sciences
like physics, chemistry and mathematics which are
characterized by precision and exactitude. A high degree
of precision and certainty may not therefore manifest
themselves in various branches of the social sciences,
even if they at times make use of mathematical models or
statistical techniques. Therefore, for every postulated
rule in most fields in the social sciences, there are likely
to be many different exceptions. These may be described
as cultural variations and cultural exceptions, and
exceptions over time or space. The name ‘Ninety ten’ is
only an easy-to-understand and easy-to-use
nomenclature. Real world exceptions to any given
observation could be twenty per cent, five per cent, or
take on any other value, but the above nomenclature is
chosen for convenience. Variations across or within
cultures or within or in between socio-cultural groups,
socio-economic groups, occupational groups or any other
parameter must be assessed based on the principles that
we propose. This may be a basis for splitting up such
groups if necessary for further study and evaluation, and
the prerogative for this lies with the researcher. Thus,
not only rule-based reasoning but also case-based
reasoning must be used for various fields in the social
sciences. Therefore, a fundamental premise of this paper
is that exceptions must be sought actively, as these will
lead to better research and hypothesis formulation.
Thus, every researcher must think of rules and
exceptions to those rules, and this must become a
mindset. If exceptions are significant, they may warrant
an altogether different line of research. This process will
also greatly aid in inductive analysis, nomothetic rulebuilding and theorization, and play a major role in the
‘Globalization of science’, particularly social sciences.
