Different wor(l)ds: three approaches to health research

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.