Advance Research Methods

Assignment

“Explain the Phenomena of Positivism and

Interpretivism”

Submitted to:

Sir, Dr. Moeed Ahmed Sandhu

Submitted by:

Hafiz M.Omer MB2E-17-21

 Positivism Vs Interpretivism

Positivism and interpretivism, both are basic approaches of research methods. In positivism,
Quantitative research approach is used, therefore, it is also called quantitative approach of
research. In interpretivism, Qualitative research approach is used, therefore, it is also called
qualitative approach of research.

Positivism:

The first basic characteristic of positivism is that in this approach, researcher (Positivists) prefer
quantitative methods like as survey, structured questionnaire and statistical models to test their
hypothesis. In positivism (Quantitative Approach) the main belief of positivists are that the study
of the society phenomena should be scientific in nature. In positivist research, researchers tend to
look for relationships between two or more variables. This is known as the comparative method.
In this approach, theories and hypotheses can be generated and then tested using direct
observation or empirical research.

Interpretivism:
In interpretivism or qualitative research approach, an unstructured approach is used to provide
insight and deep understanding of data. This approach is based on small samples. In qualitative
research, researcher are always looking to understand the respondents’ thoughts in better way. For
this purpose, a specialist team of researchers work together which may involve ethnographers,
anthropologists and psychologists etc.

Various types of methods could be used in qualitative approach in which participants are allow to
express their views regarding the interested topic of the researcher. In this approach, researcher
are seeking to observe the behavior, experience and feelings of participants in their own way.
According to Interpretivists experience and understanding of different people about same objective
is very different from each other as they have their own experience and understanding, thus
scientific methods are not appropriate.
Positivism and interpretivism can be differentiated on the basis their different characteristics:

Positivism (Quantitative Interpretivism (Qualitative

Approach) Approach)

Researchers who prefer positivism approach Researchers who prefer interpretivism

are called positivists. approach are called interpretivists or anti
positivists.

Its objective is to quantify the data generate the Its objective is to develop understanding of the
records. underlying reasons and motivations.

In positivism approach, researchers prefer In interpretivism approach, researchers prefer

scientific methods in which they believe that research methods that are derived from social
social science is exactly scientific same like as action theory, which claims that people’s
natural science. behavior are not determined by their social
background (external social forces)

Theories and hypothesis are developed in Interpretivists claim that the individuals don’t
positivism approach and then these are tested react to the external social forces, so they
as by direct observation or by empirical oppose the positivists believe as they claim
research. individuals react to the external social forces.

In positivism, positivists use quantitative In interpretivism, interpretivists use qualitative

analysis to test their theories or hypothesis. analysis in which their aim is to achieve an in-
depth understanding of a situation.

To collect data, use questionnaire. Conducted To collect data, conduct unstructured

structured interview and experiment interview, ethnography and participant
observation

This is a macro approach of research This is a micro approach of research

Statistical Data Analysis is used. Non-Statistical Data Analysis is used

Dimensions Positivism Interpretivism

Research Objective Describe, explain and predict Understand and interpret the
the data. data.

Involvement of Researcher Researcher involvement is Researcher involvement is

low. high.

Purpose of the Research First theory building, then test Detail understanding and
the theory. theory building.

Design of Sample Probability Sampling Non probability Sampling

Size of Sample Sample size is large Sample size is small

>Single method or mixed >Most of the time, Multiple
Design of Research
methods are Used in this methods are used in this
approach. approach.
>Consistency is critical. >Consistency is not expected.
>Either cross-sectional or a >Only longitudinal approach
longitudinal approach is used. is used.

Preparation of Participant Participation is not necessary Preparation is necessary in

in this approach. this approach.

Preparation and Type of Data is converted in numeric Data is converted in verbal

Data codes codes
 Analysis of Data Computerized analysis is Human analysis is taken
taken

Meaning of the research >Lower level of >Higher level of

understanding. understanding.
>Data can be tested
>Data testing ability is
limited.

Involvement of Research Low involvement. High involvement.

Sponsor

Feedback Level Feedback Turnaround is slow Feedback Turnaround is fast

due to large sample size. due to small sample size.

Security of Data Less secure More secure

Positivist vs Interpretivist:

On the basis of the distinguished characteristics of positivist and interpretivists, they can be
differentiated as:

Positivist Interpretivist

Quantitative Qualitative

More close to the reality Less close to the reality

Use scientific methods Use humanistic methods

Get the results by experimentation Get the results by study phenomena

Close toward traditional views Close toward revolutional views

I would like to choose Positivism (Quantitative Approach):

I would like to select this approach because it suits my interest to conduct a research. Some basic
reasons are:

1. I would like to get the data in the form of numbers on which I can apply some Statistical
analysis. Because I have some basic understanding regarding the statistical analysis by
using some statistical analysis software like as SPSS and Stata etc.
2. I would like to get the result by scientific methods, like as descriptive, correlation and
regression analysis etc.
3. I would like confirm or test a hypothesis about a phenomena, instead of deep
understanding, exploring and explanation about a phenomena.
4. I would like get the data through highly structured methods like as through questionnaire
and use of tools etc.

Some other reasons to select positivism (Quantitative Approach):

Time saving: Time and resources save when we use quantitative approach. In this approach, we
use statistical package for social science (SPSS), Stata or some other software to analyze the data.
By using this statistical data for the research descriptions and analysis reduces the time and effort
of the researcher. Data which is used in statistical software is in the form of numbers, percentage
or other type of data which can be calculated in that software.

Easy to evaluate results: In quantitative approach, the outcome can be measured and evaluated
easily as compared to qualitative research, because in this approach results are measured through
objective data which can be easily measured.

Generalization is possible: In this approach, we use scientific method to collect the data, so the
generalization is possible when we use this approach.

Replicability: In this approach, replicability is possible because this approach is based on

hypothesis development and testing, so researcher follows clear guidelines to conduct the research.

Control over study groups: In this approach, researcher has better control study groups.
Conclusion is more authentic: In this approach we use large sample size which has the advantage
that the result is more generalized as it gives the detail results so the conclusion is more authentic.

High accessibility: In this approach, Accessibility towards the data collection is high as most of
the data is available and accessible easily.

Information is faster: In this approach, information spreads faster.

Reliability: The reliability of quantitative research is considered as more reliable than qualitative
research.

Structured data collection: In this approach, methods to collect the data are more structured than
qualitative research approach.

Appropriateness: This approach is appropriate when there is systematic comparisons are needed.

Reality. In this approach, matter of finding is more effective and objective as near to reality, so its
results are close to the reality results as compare to the qualitative research.

Researcher language. In this approach, the researcher (positivist) uses the formal and impersonal
language as in this approach researcher wants to measure unbiased and consistent results, while in
qualitative research, the researcher use informal and personal language.

Values. In this approach, the study is value free (unbiased) as the researcher (positivist) has not
been seeking the research in his/her personal values. Therefore, the researcher removes the
biasness in the research if any biasness is created in the study. So the study is totally unbiased and
there is no researcher influence on the research study.

Theory and research design. In this approach, theory and research design is simple, as it derives
from the cause and effect phenomena. More predictive and control over the research study.
Reliability and validity is considered more than qualitative research.
References:

 Books: 1) Business Research Method by Donald Cooper 2) Marketing Research by Naresh

K Malhotra
 Articles: 1) The Usefulness of Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches and Methods in
Researching Problem-Solving Ability in Science 2) The Advantages and Disadvantages of
Using Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches and Methods in Language “Testing and
Assessment”
 www.quora.com
 revisesociology.com
 slideshare.net
 Scribd.com
 mytutor.com