🧠 Research Paradigms — Positivism vs Interpretivism Explained with Examples

#ResearchParadigms | #PositivismVsInterpretivism | #ResearchMitraDay4

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📌 What is a Research Paradigm?

A research paradigm is a basic belief system or worldview that guides how research is conducted. It influences what we study, how we study it, and how we interpret results.

Think of a paradigm as the lens through which a researcher sees the world — it defines:

What counts as knowledge (epistemology)
What reality is (ontology)
What methods should be used (methodology)

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🔍 Two Major Research Paradigms in Social Science

1️⃣ Positivism – "The world is measurable and objective"

Feature	Description
Ontology	Reality is objective and independent
Epistemology	Knowledge comes from observable phenomena
Research Approach	Quantitative, deductive
Methods Used	Surveys, experiments, statistical analysis
Role of Researcher	Detached and neutral observer

Example:

A researcher studies the impact of advertisement frequency on sales using regression analysis. They collect numerical data from 100 companies.

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2️⃣ Interpretivism – "Reality is subjective and socially constructed"

Feature	Description
Ontology	Reality is multiple and socially constructed
Epistemology	Knowledge is gained through experience
Research Approach	Qualitative, inductive
Methods Used	Interviews, focus groups, case studies
Role of Researcher	Immersed participant, co-creator of meaning

Example:

A researcher explores how rural women perceive entrepreneurship by conducting in-depth interviews and thematic analysis.

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🧠 How to Choose Between Positivism and Interpretivism?

If You Want To...	Choose...
Test a theory with measurable variables	Positivism
Explore human experiences and meaning	Interpretivism
Predict outcomes across a population	Positivism
Understand context-specific perspectives	Interpretivism

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🔄 Mixed Approaches: Pragmatism

Sometimes, researchers combine both paradigms using pragmatism, focusing on what works best for the research question. This leads to mixed-methods research — a growing trend in social science and business research.

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💡 Reflect & Apply

Activity:

Read your research topic/question. Ask yourself:

Am I trying to measure something or understand it?
Should I collect numbers or narratives?

Comment below with your research question and let’s identify your paradigm together!

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🔔 Coming Up Tomorrow:

Day 5:

👉 “Inductive vs Deductive Research: What’s the Difference and When to Use Each?”