Hermeneutics is the theory and methodology of interpretation, originally developed for interpreting religious scriptures and later extended to literature, history, law, and the social sciences. In social science research, hermeneutics focuses on understanding the meanings that individuals attach to their actions, experiences, and social interactions. It assumes that human behaviour cannot be fully explained through external observation alone because actions are shaped by intentions, beliefs, values, culture, and historical context. Therefore, the task of the researcher is to interpret these meanings rather than merely measure observable facts. The foundations of modern hermeneutics were laid by scholars such as Friedrich Schleiermacher, Wilhelm Dilthey, Martin Heidegger, Hans-Georg Gadamer, and Paul Ricoeur. Schleiermacher emphasized understanding the intentions of the author or speaker, while Dilthey argued that the human sciences differ from the natural sciences because they seek understanding rather than causal explanation. Heidegger and Gadamer further developed hermeneutics by emphasizing the historical and cultural background that influences both the interpreter and the subject being interpreted. A central concept in hermeneutics is the "hermeneutic circle," which refers to the process of understanding the whole through its parts and the parts through the whole. Researchers move repeatedly between individual statements, actions, and the broader social context to develop a deeper interpretation. This process recognizes that understanding evolves gradually and is influenced by prior knowledge and continuous reflection. Hermeneutics has made a significant contribution to the understanding of social action. It argues that social actions are meaningful because individuals act according to their