Positivism vs Interpretivism

• Positivist view on society


  Society influences people, systematically shaping their behaviour patterns
• What type of data do interpretivists prefer?


  Favour unstandardised, qualitative data in order to uncover and explain the meanings that shape our behaviour
• Interpretivist view on society


  Our behaviours and actions are based on the meanings we give to situations
• What type of data do positivists prefer?


  Favour standardised, quantitative data to uncover and measure behavioural patterns
• What methods do positivists use?


  Questionnaires, official statistics, experiments, etc
• What methods do interpretivists use?


  Unstructured interviews, personal documents, participant observation, etc
• Why do positivists prefer the data they use?


  Strong in reliability and representativeness, which helps with generalisation
• Why do interpretivists prefer the data they use?


  Rich in depth and validity, providing a deeper understanding
• Positivist view on objectivity


  Sociologists should remain objective and detached from those they are studying
• Interpretivist view on objectivity


  Sociologists are part of the world they are studying so it is impossible for them to remain objective