Social science is often hampered by the fact that people are hesitant to discuss their beliefs for fear of ridicule. This is the case in research on folk medical practices, particularly when the subjects know that society in general and health care professionals in particular devalue such folk practices. Practitioners of folk medicine are often less than eager to share their knowledge, in part because they wish to avoid exploitation of their knowledge and in part for fear of criticism.

b. the element of fear can hinder social science research.

Explanation:

The text mentions how Social Science research is hindered by fear of ridicule and used folk medicine as an example. People engaging in Folk medicine are usually denounced as quasi practitioners who's ancient and Traditional methods may do more harm than good.

This has led to them shying away from the public eye to avoid such ridicule which will be a hindrance to Social Science research that aims to explore the very same folk medical practices and show it to the world. This fear comes from the feeling that the Research will open them up to the very ridicule they are trying to avoid when it is published. This fear will therefore cause them to mainly become uncooperative with the researchers so that their methods will not be revealed because if they are not revealed, they cannot be criticised.

is it "means of nourishment"