Sociology – Paper 1 – Methods of research | e-Consult
Paper 1 – Methods of research (1 questions)
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Positivism assumes that social reality can be studied in the same way as the natural world, using empirical observation, measurement and hypothesis testing. It seeks objective, value‑free knowledge and typically employs quantitative methods.
Interpretivism, by contrast, argues that social reality is constructed through meanings and interactions. It emphasises understanding the subjective experiences of participants, often using qualitative methods.
| Aspect | Positivist | Interpretivist |
| Ontology | Social world exists independently of our perceptions. | Social world is socially constructed and contingent on meanings. |
| Epistemology | Objective, detached researcher; knowledge through measurement. | Researcher interprets participants’ perspectives; knowledge is co‑produced. |
| Methodology | Surveys, experiments, statistical analysis. | Interviews, participant observation, discourse analysis. |
| Aim | Explain, predict, and control social phenomena. | Interpret and understand the meanings behind social actions. |