9 International Journal of Emerging Trends in Social Sciences Vol. 1, No.1, pp. 9-15 DOI: 10.20448/2001.11.9.15 Challenges and Prospects of Applying Scientific Methods in Sociological and Policy Investigation Bassey, Antigha Okon 1 Abang, Thelma Aya 2 IJI, Mary Eru 3 1,2 Lecturer, Department of Sociology University of Calabar, Calabar, C.R.S., Nigeria. 3 Assistant Research Fellow, Institute of Public Policy and Administration University of Calabar, Calabar, C.R.S., Nigeria. Abstract The paper examines sociological and policy investigations, in terms of its method of inquiry and the possibility of applying scientific methods. Major tools, techniques and methods of science were highlighted and discussed showing their extent of application in Sociology and Policy Studies. The paper maintains the stand that both disciplines as Social Sciences utilized scientific methods and identified measurement difficulties, subjectivity and methodological crises as their major limitations as sciences. It concluded that though theory building and experimentation are not possible in social sciences, the adaptation of observation, quantification, identification of problem, hypothesis formulation and testing, position both Sociology and Policy Study as sciences. It is expected that with the passage of time, Sociology and Policy Studies will reveal their full scientific attributes. It was recommended that scientific methods should be explored and utilized in all social sciences extensively. Keywords: Challenges Prospects Scientific methods Sociology Policy Investigation. Licensed: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Publisher: Scientific Publishing Institute 1. Introduction Sociology is universally acclaimed as a core social science discipline. This scientific acclamation is accorded sociology in view of application and continuous adaptation to basic scientific requirements in its investigation, as well as utilization of tools and methods of science in the discovery of knowledge and theory construction. The process of evolving the science of sociology, if it has really been attained, has not been an easy one. AS revealed by the work of such eminent scientists like Adedokun (1999). Anon-core (substantive) science like sociology should be critically examined to prove or otherwise its claim as a science. Policy Studies is a multi-disciplinary area, which involves sociology, political science, law and economics. Policy studies like Sociology, is within the confinement of Social Sciences. It is in this regard that application of scientific investigation tools is examined in policy studies, side by side Sociology. Therefore, the central problematique necessitating this scholarly presentation, is to provide a critical analysis of the level to which scientific methods and tools can be applied in sociological and policy research. This essay is specifically aimedat providing extensive description of the concept of science, and the method of science. It will also give a basic guide to understanding the discipline of sociology, as well as, attempting to provide a place for classification of sociology among the sciences. This paper is very significant, as it will aid the understanding of the major concepts of discourse already highlighted, as well as add to the existing volume of scholarly work and literature on the discovery of the “Science of Sociology and Policy Analysis”. 2. Conceptualization In an academic exercise such as this, it is appropriate to commence detail analysis of concepts and variables by providing definitions. In this regard the following are considered; Science, Sociology, Scientific methods, Application, Investigation and Research. Science is simply a systematized body of knowledge acquired through logical process. Gonser, Grant, Meechan, Muir, and Wiedersich (1965) defined science as "the production of systematic explanations, based upon empirical data joined logically to form regular patterns. Cohen and Manion (1980) further posited that science is "a way of comprehending the world, as well as a means of explanation and understanding, of prediction and control."Auguste Comte in Anikpo (1986) sees sociology as the study of human beings as they