In psychology, the concept of interpretation has been namely associated to the subjectivist paradigm underpinning qualitative approaches, rather than the objectivist paradigm charactefising quantitative research. In t...In psychology, the concept of interpretation has been namely associated to the subjectivist paradigm underpinning qualitative approaches, rather than the objectivist paradigm charactefising quantitative research. In this article, we challenge this belief by showing how interpretation concerns psychology as a whole. To do this, the authors will first consider some dominant tendencies characterising the psychological field in general, such as the ＂empiricist illusion＂ and the ＂trap of scientism＂ （Vygotsky 1999）. Moreover, they will introduce the cultural perspective in psychology, pertinent to deconstruct several assumptions regarding research within the discipline. Stemming from this approach, ＂indirect methods＂ will be presented with regard to their potential to analyse psychological phenomena both qualitatively and scientifically. They will conclude by describing a set of principles that can be implemented when doing qualitative research as to ensure the quality and the adequacy of interpretation.展开更多
文摘In psychology, the concept of interpretation has been namely associated to the subjectivist paradigm underpinning qualitative approaches, rather than the objectivist paradigm charactefising quantitative research. In this article, we challenge this belief by showing how interpretation concerns psychology as a whole. To do this, the authors will first consider some dominant tendencies characterising the psychological field in general, such as the ＂empiricist illusion＂ and the ＂trap of scientism＂ （Vygotsky 1999）. Moreover, they will introduce the cultural perspective in psychology, pertinent to deconstruct several assumptions regarding research within the discipline. Stemming from this approach, ＂indirect methods＂ will be presented with regard to their potential to analyse psychological phenomena both qualitatively and scientifically. They will conclude by describing a set of principles that can be implemented when doing qualitative research as to ensure the quality and the adequacy of interpretation.
