Non-Positivist Methodologies in Social Research
Shift from Positivism to Non-Positivism
As sociologists recognized that social realities cannot be fully explained through fixed laws and mechanical patterns, they moved from positivism—which emphasised scientific laws—to non-positivism, which stresses interpretation and subjectivity.
Non-positivists view human beings as thinking, reflective agents capable of shaping society rather than merely being shaped by external forces.
Core Features of Non-Positivism
1. Focus on Internal Meanings and Interpretation
Non-positivists explore emotions, motives, meanings and subjective interpretations of reality.
Example: Rather than counting religious followers, they study what religiosity means to individuals through interviews that uncover personal spiritual experiences.
Understanding Social Reality Instead of Predicting It
Rather than forecasting behaviour, they aim to understand lived experiences.
Example: Studying youth subcultures by asking why individuals identify with skateboarding and what belonging means to them, instead of predicting future trends.
3. Rejection of Universal Theories
Non-positivists avoid constructing one-size-fits-all explanations of society.
Example: Family structures are studied contextually—across cultures and identities—acknowledging that no single theory explains all families.
Acceptance of Subjectivity
They argue that complete objectivity is impossible, and researcher values inevitably shape inquiry.
Example: A scholar studying colonialism may reflect on how their identity influences empathy and interpretation instead of claiming neutrality.
Preference for Qualitative Methods
Non-positivism prioritises rich narratives and ethnographic insight over numerical measurement.
Example: Understanding mental health through personal interviews that explore meaning, coping, and identity rather than surveys or experiments.
Difference Between Positivism and Non-Positivism
| Positivism | Non-Positivism |
|---|---|
| Structural approach → studies institutions and patterns. | Interactional approach → studies relationships and meanings. |
| Macro view → large-scale trends. | Micro view → individual experiences. |
| Normative orientation → defines “normal” vs “deviant”. | Individual-centric orientation → focuses on personal narratives. |
| Nomothetic logic → seeks universal laws. | Idiographic logic → values uniqueness of each case. |
| Quantitative tools (surveys, statistics). | Qualitative tools (interviews, participant observation). |
| Explains causation and generalises results. | Describes phenomena without generalising. |
| Survey as prime technique. | Participant observation and immersion as core techniques. |
Illustrative Example: A positivist studying crime uses statistics to link poverty with criminality, whereas a non-positivist explores how offenders understand their choices and identities through in-depth interaction.
PYQs
- Non-positivistic methodology is essential for understanding human behaviour. (2015)
- Is non-positivistic methodology scientific? Illustrate. (2018)
- What shortcomings of positivism led to non-positivist research? (2022)
Important Keywords
Positivism, Non-Positivism, Subjective Meaning, Internal Processes, Value Orientation, Objectivity, Qualitative Methods, Interactional Approach, Micro Perspective, Idiographic View, Interpretive Sociology, Participant Observation.
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