"A major obstacle to proper description and analysis of social phenomena is that we think we know most of the answers already. We take a lot for granted, because we are, after all, competent adult members of our society and know what any competent adult knows. We have, as we say, 'common sense.' We know, for example, that schools educate children and hospitals cure the sick. 'Everyone' knows that. We don't question what everyone knows; it would be silly. But, since what everyone knows is the object of our study, we must question it or at least suspend judgment about it, go look for ourselves to find out what schools and hospitals do, rather than accepting conventional answers."
Howard Becker. Tricks of the Trade: How to Think About Research While You're Doing It. Chicago University Press: Chicago, 1998. (83)
Posted by nickles at March 30, 2006 06:39 PM | TrackBackI like this. I like this a lot. This helps. In many ways. Thanks!
Posted by: Carrie at March 30, 2006 08:21 PM