Groping in the Dark? Recent Contributions to Progress in Interpretative Research - a Review**

Zusammenfassung

---

This paper reviews recent books supporting the development of using qualitative methods in interpretative research. Revolving around three major issues, i.e. increasing the level of rigour, using software packages and new methodological developments, the paper outlines the specific contributions of these books and lays out further needs for development. [PUB ABSTRACT]

Siehe den Gesamtinhalt dieses Dokumentes

Auszug

---

Groping in the Dark? Recent Contributions to Progress in Interpretative Research - a Review**

1. Introduction

Thinking in the Western world is characterised by a basic dichotomy: "There is an uneasiness that has spread throughout intellectual and cultural life. It affects almost every discipline and every aspect of our lives. This uneasiness is expressed by the opposition between objectivism and relativism, but there are a variety of other contrasts that indicate the same underlying anxiety: rationality versus irrationality, objectivism versus subjectivity, realism versus antirealism. Contemporary thinking has moved between these and other related extremes." (Bernstein 1983: 1). Based on Cartesian dualism which sharply differentiates between the physical as external reality and thinking as internal world, this division is reflected in two basic paradigms of scientific thought and methods: the objective, deductive and often called quantitative and the subjective, interpretative and frequently labelled qualitative paradigm. This is not the place to give a rich description of these two paradigms (see, e.g., Lamnek 1988; Lueger 2000). However, the basic characteristics can be mentioned briefly.

From an objective, deductive perspective the focus is on the world as 'given' entity that can be looked at and analysed without referring to subjective interpretation. Archetypically, this approach is reflected in the approach of natural science which strives for universal laws and testing of hypotheses via quantitative, experimental methods. Critical rationalism presupposes an objective reality, i.e. truth. Through a collective effort called science this truth can be approached more and more. Critique becomes crucial in this approach as it is essential for the core elements like intersubjectively checking results and methods (Popper 1972; Scholtz 1991). The methods used in this paradigm have to meet criteria such as connection with theory, objective research process, operational definition and isolation of relevant measures, rational explanation, primacy of falsification (Friedrichs 1973).

From a subjective, interpretative point of view the world is not simply given as an objective reality. Rather, it is subjectively constituted and socially pre-interpreted, formed by the observation schemes of the individual actors. In this process, objective and subjective meaning can be differentia...

Siehe den Gesamtinhalt dieses Dokumentes

---