Positivist, Interpretive, and Constructivist Approaches

This chapter critically explores three foundational research paradigms—positivism, interpretivism, and constructivism—that form the philosophical core of educational and social science inquiry. It delineates their distinct ontological, epistemological, and methodological assumptions, emphasizing how these paradigms shape the design, implementation, and interpretation of research. Positivism is examined through its commitment to objectivity, measurement, and empirical generalization; interpretivism through its focus on meaning, context, and lived experience; and constructivism through its participatory and co-creative approach to knowledge generation. The chapter further discusses paradigm alignment, ethical considerations, and the implications of paradigm pluralism in contemporary scholarship. By offering a comparative and reflective analysis, this chapter aims to enhance researchers' philosophical literacy, enabling them to make coherent, contextually appropriate, and ethically sound methodological choices in educational and social research.