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Different Wor(l)ds: Three Approaches to Health Research

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Abstract

This article describes three approaches to research in the social sciences: positivist, interpretivist and critical social science. It uncovers some of the philosophical assumptions these approaches adhere to and situates the discussion in the population health arena with respect to these assumptions. The issues under debate are as yet unsolved (and perhaps unsolvable), with long histories in philosophy and sophisticated rationales on all sides. The article advocates defining the underlying terms of discussion and making assumptions explicit to facilitate dialogue, and also encourages exploration of and tolerance for other approaches.

Abrégé

Cet article décrit trois approches de recherche en sciences sociales - les approches positiviste, interprétationniste et critique. On y révêle quelques-unes des hypothèses philosophiques auxquelles ces approches adhèrent et on situe cette discussion dans le domaine de la santé de la population par rapport à leurs hypothèses. Les questions débattues ne sont pas encore résolues (et sont peut-être insolubles), avec de longues histoires en philosophie et des rationalités spécifiques sophistiquées. Cet article préconise de définir les termes sousjacents au débat et de rendre les hypothèses explicites pour faciliter le dialogue; enfin, on encourage d’explorer les autres affroches et de les tolérer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, Institute of Health Promotion Research, Department of Health Care and Epidemiology, University of British Columbia, Mather Building, 5804 Fairview Ave, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada

    Gerry Veenstra PhD

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  1. Gerry Veenstra PhD
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Correspondence to Gerry Veenstra PhD.

Additional information

The author is supported by a Post-Doctoral Fellowship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and from the Centre for Health Services and Policy Research.

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Veenstra, G. Different Wor(l)ds: Three Approaches to Health Research. Can J Public Health 90 (Suppl 1), S18–S21 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403573

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