Positivism vs. Interpretivism — What's the Difference?

The view that only scientific knowledge is valid and reliable.

A belief that knowledge is constructed through human interpretation and interaction.

A belief in empirical and observable facts as the foundation of knowledge.

An approach favoring qualitative methods to understand human behavior and experiences.

An approach emphasizing the importance of objectivity and detachment in research.

A stance that values the meanings individuals assign to their own experiences.

A philosophy asserting the world operates based on fixed laws.

The view that social reality is shaped by human beliefs, actions, and interactions.

The rejection of metaphysics in favor of empirical sciences.

A philosophy asserting that reality is socially constructed and subjective.

Positivism is a philosophical theory that holds that all genuine knowledge is either positive—a posteriori and exclusively derived from experience of natural phenomena and their properties and relations—or true by definition, that is, analytic and tautological. Thus, information derived from sensory experience, as interpreted through reason and logic, forms the exclusive source of all certain knowledge.Verified data (positive facts) received from the senses are known as empirical evidence; thus positivism is based on empiricism.Sociological positivism holds that society, like the physical world, operates according to general laws.

Antipositivism

A doctrine contending that sense perceptions are the only admissible basis of human knowledge and precise thought.

Qualitative research

The application of this doctrine in logic, epistemology, and ethics.

A school of cultural anthropological thought founded by Franz Boas.

The system of Auguste Comte designed to supersede theology and metaphysics and depending on a hierarchy of the sciences, beginning with mathematics and culminating in sociology.

(legal) A school of thought holding that law is not a set of given data, conventions, or physical facts, but what lawyers aim to construct or obtain in their practice.

Any of several doctrines or viewpoints, often similar to Comte's, that stress attention to actual practice over consideration of what is ideal

The state or quality of being positive.

(philosophy) A doctrine that states that the only authentic knowledge is scientific knowledge, and that such knowledge can only come from positive affirmation of theories through strict scientific method, refusing every form of metaphysics.

(legal) A school of thought in jurisprudence in which the law is seen as separated from moral values; i.e. the law is posited by lawmakers (humans).

A system of philosophy originated by M. Auguste Comte, which deals only with positives. It excludes from philosophy everything but the natural phenomena or properties of knowable things, together with their invariable relations of coexistence and succession, as occurring in time and space. Such relations are denominated laws, which are to be discovered by observation, experiment, and comparison. This philosophy holds all inquiry into causes, both efficient and final, to be useless and unprofitable.

The form of empiricism that bases all knowledge on perceptual experience (not on intuition or revelation)

A quality or state characterized by certainty or acceptance or affirmation

Positivists typically prefer quantitative methods like experiments and surveys.

Interpretivism sees reality as socially constructed and subjective.

Interpretivists often use qualitative methods like interviews and participant observation.

Generally, they represent opposing epistemological stances, but some researchers combine elements of both.

Positivism aligns more with traditional scientific methods, but both approaches contribute valid insights in research.

Interpretivism believes researchers are engaged and interpretive, bringing their own perspectives to the study.

Positivism believes in empirical, observable facts as the primary source of knowledge.

It values human experiences, considering the meanings people assign to their interactions.

Due to its emphasis on objective facts, Positivism might not delve deeply into subjective human emotions.

Interpretivism delves into individual experiences, offering deep insights into cultural dynamics and beliefs.

It might overlook deeper, subjective aspects of human experiences due to its focus on objective facts.

Positivism aims for objectivity, emphasizing empirical evidence and detachment.

Interpretivism often yields multiple perspectives and interpretations, rather than definitive answers.

Some argue that it's too subjective, making its findings less generalizable or definitive.

Positivism generally rejects metaphysical claims, focusing on empirical sciences.