Instrumentalism vs. Interpretivism

Attribute	Instrumentalism	Interpretivism
Ontology	Believes in objective reality	Believes in subjective reality
Epistemology	Focuses on empirical evidence	Focuses on understanding meanings and interpretations
Methodology	Uses quantitative methods	Uses qualitative methods
Research Focus	Emphasizes prediction and control	Emphasizes understanding and interpretation

Introduction

Instrumentalism and Interpretivism are two contrasting approaches in social science research that have been widely debated and discussed. While both aim to understand human behavior and social phenomena, they differ in their underlying assumptions, methodologies, and goals. In this article, we will compare the attributes of Instrumentalism and Interpretivism to provide a better understanding of their differences and similarities.

Instrumentalism

Instrumentalism is a research approach that emphasizes the importance of using scientific methods to study social phenomena. It is based on the idea that social reality can be objectively measured and understood through empirical observation and experimentation. Instrumentalists believe that the goal of social science research is to uncover causal relationships between variables and make predictions about human behavior.

• Focus on objectivity and empirical evidence
• Emphasis on causal relationships and predictions
• Use of scientific methods and experimentation
• Belief in the existence of an objective reality
• Goal of uncovering universal laws of human behavior

Interpretivism

Interpretivism, on the other hand, is a research approach that focuses on understanding the subjective meanings and interpretations that individuals attach to their social world. It rejects the idea of an objective reality that can be measured and instead emphasizes the importance of studying human behavior in its natural context. Interpretivists believe that social reality is constructed through the interactions and interpretations of individuals.

• Focus on subjective meanings and interpretations
• Emphasis on studying human behavior in context
• Use of qualitative methods such as interviews and observations
• Rejection of the idea of an objective reality
• Goal of understanding the lived experiences of individuals

Comparison

While Instrumentalism and Interpretivism have distinct differences in their approaches to social science research, they also share some similarities. Both approaches aim to understand human behavior and social phenomena, albeit through different lenses. Instrumentalism focuses on uncovering causal relationships and making predictions, while Interpretivism seeks to understand the subjective meanings and interpretations of individuals.

One key difference between the two approaches is their view on the nature of reality. Instrumentalism believes in the existence of an objective reality that can be measured and understood through scientific methods, while Interpretivism rejects this idea and emphasizes the importance of studying human behavior in its natural context.

Another difference lies in the methodologies used by Instrumentalism and Interpretivism. Instrumentalism relies on quantitative methods such as surveys and experiments to collect data and test hypotheses, while Interpretivism favors qualitative methods such as interviews and observations to gain a deeper understanding of human behavior.

Despite these differences, both Instrumentalism and Interpretivism have their strengths and weaknesses. Instrumentalism's focus on objectivity and empirical evidence allows for the testing of hypotheses and the establishment of causal relationships, but it may overlook the subjective meanings and interpretations that individuals attach to their social world. On the other hand, Interpretivism's emphasis on understanding human behavior in context provides a rich and nuanced understanding of social phenomena, but it may lack the predictive power of Instrumentalism.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Instrumentalism and Interpretivism are two contrasting approaches in social science research that offer different perspectives on understanding human behavior and social phenomena. While Instrumentalism emphasizes objectivity and empirical evidence, Interpretivism focuses on subjective meanings and interpretations. By comparing the attributes of Instrumentalism and Interpretivism, researchers can gain a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each approach and choose the one that best fits their research goals and objectives.