Qualitative research methods

Nomos law
Used to understand behavior common to all, for instance
behavior of a group
Large scale is possible
Statistical/ quantitative techniques can be more appropriate
Provides a superficial understanding
Less subjective

In depth analysis of an individual

idios own

Study of individual experiences

Small scale research
Qualitative, interpretive research methods more useful

Provides a complete and holistic understanding of an

individual
More subjective

Wilhelm Windelband (1848-1915) in 1894 introduced difference

between the two concepts in speech addressing the differences
between natural sciences and humanities and position of
psychology within these boundaries.
Natural Sciences

Humanity

Sciences of natural laws

Sciences of events

What always is

What once has been

Nomothetic

Idiographic

Accordingly psychology is natural science.

Gordon Allport (1897-1967) introduced these terms to
American psychology in 1937.
Supported idiographic methods in study of personality traits.

PSYCHOLOGY: Gordon Allport (1937)

Nomothetic describes the study of classes or cohorts of
individuals.
Subject/Individual is seen as a typical example of a population and
their corresponding personality traits and behaviours
Common method of study- Quantitative surveys
Idiographic describes the study of the individual, who is seen as a
unique agent with a unique life history, with properties setting
him/her apart from other individuals
Common method of study- Biography/ Autobiography/ Personal
Interview- Narratives made by the individual

Examples from psychology

Nomothetic Approach:
Behaviourism: Experiments with animals (rats, cats and pigeons)- establish laws of
learning (B.F.Skinner)
Psychological theories - generalised principles of behaviour -(e.g. intelligence theory of IQ)
Psychological theories- Carl Jung's Psychological Types, Eysenck's three factor model,
the Big Five personality traits, and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator
Idiographic Approach:
Freud (1909) - clinical case study method (patients interviewed over a long period of time,
notes of his interpretations, unstructured techniques free and natural expression of
patients
Gardner and Gardner (1969) interaction and observation of chimpanzee Washoe
teaching sign language.
Piaget (1953) - longitudinal studies of cognitive development of his children, keeping
frequent notes and using the flexible clinical interview method and informal experimentsdetailed understanding

SOCIOLOGY:
Nomothetic Approach : Tries to find independent variables that account for the variations in a given phenomenon
(e.g. What is the relationship between timing/frequency of childbirth and education).
Analysis- directed towards general principles. Main Aim of study- Abstract generalisations from specific events
From sociological perspective, application of this method entails that individual events are studied not for
their own sake but for their significance in so far as they contribute to the formulation of generalization.
Drawback: Nomothetic explanations are usually incomplete.

Idiographic Approach: Focuses on a complete, in-depth understanding of a single case (e.g. Why do I not have any
children).
ANTHROPOLOGY:
Idiographic describes the study of a group, seen as an entity, with specific properties that set it apart from
other groups.
Nomothetic refers to the use of generalization rather than specific properties of the group studied.

Nomothetic Approach

Idiographic Approach

In line with the deterministic, law abiding

nature of science

More complete and global understanding

of an individual

Useful in predicting and controlling

behavior

Sometimes the most efficient

Often lead to results that spark off
experimental investigation of behavior

Nomothetic Approach
Superficial understanding of any one
person

Idiographic Approach
Difficult to generalize findings

classification manuals are not accurate Idiographic research tends to be more

and does not help people
unreliable and unscientific (subjective,
long term and unstandardized
procedures)
Predictions from group results may not Difficult to analyze and replicate
apply to the individual - reductionist