Social measurement and social construction in modern applied research

DOI: 10.22394/2071-2367-2023-18-4-48-63 EDN: DAIQND

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to understand the paradigmatic field of socio-political research in modern Russia. The problem field of implementing the positivist paradigm and carrying out measurement procedures within the framework of this applied research methodology is analyzed. It is proved that quantitative and qualitative research strategies do not serve as different types of research approaches, but as successive stages in the implementation of a single project. A discussion is presented about the possibility and necessity of researchers’ abandoning the principle of non-evaluation of the results of scientific analysis in the field of social knowledge. Some correspondences between the functions of social sciences and the type of research methodology are established. Using the example of applied political analysis, the ways of studying social phenomena and processes, as well as the methodological approaches, methods and tools used for this, are systematized. Particular attention is paid to the problem of unreliability of survey data and limitations of data obtained during monitoring of social media. The capabilities of the cognitive instrumentalist are presented as a means of solving these methodological problems. As a result of the study, arguments are given in favor of the need to intensify the use of the critical social science paradigm in social scientific knowledge and shift the research focus in conditions of civilizational confrontation to social construction (formation, modeling).