Positivism and interpretivism

• Positivists focus on quantitative data, while interpretivists use qualitative methods such as interviews and observations.
• Positivists believe that the social world is objective, while interpretivists argue that it is subjective.
• Theory is the basis for research questions and hypotheses, guiding the collection and analysis of data.
• Research design involves selecting appropriate methods to collect data based on the nature of the research question or hypothesis.
• Positivists seek generalizable knowledge through statistical analysis, while interpretivists prioritize understanding specific contexts and situations.
• Positivist research tends to involve large sample sizes and standardized procedures, while interpretivist research often involves smaller samples and flexible approaches.
• Research design involves selecting appropriate methods to collect data based on the chosen theory.