The comprehension of the self by the detour of the comprehension of the other.
All research projects arise from a personal, therefore subjective, point of view.
To the extent that these factors are acknowledged and accounted for, at the outset, is the extent to which a researcher can create more or less objective research. Social sciences attempt to develop objective research through theories that are tested by methodology. A hypothesis is made, a method of testing this idea is selected, the idea is tested and proven true or false via the methodology structure. While social science research methods are imperative towards conducting research that advances understanding of how humanity works, they are not perfect instruments. Yet, rather than dismiss methodology and epistemology altogether, as a post-modernist might, what is more valuable is to ask what are the flaws and how can they be overcome.