Positivistiese, vertolkende en kritiese sosiologie: 'N Vergelyking

Abstract

Abstract POSITIVISTIC, INTERPRETATIYE AND CRITICAL SOCIOLOGY: A COMPARISON: An attempt is made to compare three widely-used methodologies in the social sciences: positivism, ethnomethodology and critical sociology. The comparison is carried out by using certain works of social scientists who identify themselves with one of these methodologies. The basis for comparing these works is their use of a criterion of validation, and their conception of the double process of interpretation. The conclusion is drawn that the three methodologies use divergent criteria of validation. This, in turn, produces differing conceptions of the nature of scientific knowledge, of the relation between sociological knowledge and the sociologist, and of the implicit aim of sociological inquiry. Finally, it is argued that communication between different schools in the social sciences will remain less than fruitful until such methodological differences are discussed and compared.