Interpretive approaches to criminological research is able to incorporate a wide range of information, that is surrounding the focus of the research, for example, researching the environment around the sex killers, with hopes to bring a well rounded meaning from the research to further understand crimes and criminals. The form of data which is collected is qualitative data, using information from interviews, observations, and being immersed in the research (Tewksbury, 2009, p.43). This provides, “[the] social meanings, definitions and constructions that underpin actions”(Jupp, 1989, p.28). The other form is, quantitive data which is used mostly by positivistic approaches to criminological research, this form states that “aspects of crime [are] …show more content…
Firstly, interpretive approaches to criminological research consist of a multitude of. Interpretivism , as established is a qualitative form of research looking to bring meaning to the knowledge found. Geertz’s research on illegal cockfighting in Bali, presents the strengths and weaknesses of interpretivism. Interpretivism is a combination of sociology, anthropology and symbolic interactionism, with roots in idealism and hermeneutics (Williams, 2000, p.88-90). Interpretivism is concerned with the individuality of situations (Bryant, 2011, p.46). This methodology is used to find meaningful relationships and their consequences in order to make sense of the crime or criminal (Walliman and Baiche, 2000, p.205-206). This belief that “[Interpretivism] rests on the premise that in social life there is only interpretation.”(Radnor, 2001, p.3). The researchers angle of research focuses on more on language, actions, reactions and their underlying message. To access this