On non-positivist philosophical paradigms

The two main non-positivist philosophical paradigms in Research Methods study are:

1. Interpretivist Research - characteristics: (a) multiple subjective realities; (b) dynamic, socially constructed meaning; (c) researcher reflexivity; (d) study of people in their natural social settings; (e) qualitative data analysis; and (f) multiple interpretations

2. Critical Research - characteristics : (a) emancipation; (b) critique of tradition; (c) non-performative intent; (d) critique of technological determinism; (e) reflexivity


Reference
Oates, B.J. (2008) "Chapter 20: Alternative Philosophical Paradigms" Researching  Information Systems and Computing, SAGE Publications