Subjective Information in Social Science Research: Rationale and Legitimacy

The Department of Economics is organising a special lecture on Subjective Information in Social Science Research: Rationale and Legitimacy on May 12, 2023, from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Prof. Rathinasamy Maria Saleth, a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Department of Economics, will deliver the talk.

Abstract of the talk

Starting with a brief discussion on different kinds of data or information sources commonly used in social science research, the presentation then outlines the theoretical logic and practical reasoning for considering “perception” as a legitimate data source for generative valuable subjective or qualitative information. In this respect, the presentation explains how individuals normally use “adaptive instrumental evaluation” as a tool to organise and synthesise various forms of perceived and observed information and perform a process of ‘mental accounting’ or ‘silent calculation’ so as to derive feasible alternative options or decisions. Such options or decisions are often ranked by checking them against individually derived but generally converging “reference frames”. After providing a few instances where subjective or qualitative information can be the main, if not the only, data source for empirical evaluation, the presentation concludes with a quick review of major methods and survey techniques available for eliciting subjective information.

About the Speaker

Prof. Rathinasamy Maria Saleth is affiliated as an Honorary Professor at the Madras School of Economics, Chennai. Prior to this, he has been Director of the Loyola Institute of Business Administration, Chennai (2014-15) and the Director of the Madras Institute of Development Studies, Chennai (2009-14). Earlier, Prof. Saleth has been a Principal Researcher with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Colombo, Sri Lanka (2002-2008); Adjunct Professor at South Australian University, Adelaide, Australia (2003-06); Professor of Ecological Economics at the Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bengaluru (2000-2002); Visiting Researcher, World Bank, Washington DC (1998); and Professor of Economics at the Institute for Economic Growth, Delhi (1992-2000). He received his MA from Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai (1979), MPhil from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi (1981), and PhD from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, USA (1989). Prof Saleth works in the areas of resource management, institutional change, development policy, and impact assessment and has published three books, six edited volumes, and over 100 research papers in journals and edited volumes related to these areas.