Problemy drażliwe w badaniach socjologicznych w Polsce

Abstract

This article consists of two parts: (i) theoretical which describes phenomenon of sensitivity, and (ii) empirical, based on research carried out by the author. Generally, I elaborate here on some problems concerning sensitive questions, both in quantitative and qualitative studies. One of the most important issues was to compare that kind of sensitivity that occurred in the past under communist regime, and nowadays--in the 1990s. As regards more detailed results of analysis it showed that the most sensitive questions concern incomes, earnings, material resources, additional jobs, savings, and other aspects of material status. These questions provoke lying (so-called "defensive lying"). In concluding remarks I attempt to discuss implications of the sensitive questions for validity of results.