Integrasi Naturalisme dan Interpretivisme Dalam Filsafat Ilmu Sosial: Membangun Pendekatan Penelitian Yang Komprehensif dan Kontekstual

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the integration of naturalism and interpretivism from the perspective of the philosophy of social science and to formulate a comprehensive and context-sensitive research approach. This study is motivated by the complexity of social phenomena, which cannot be adequately understood through empirical data alone but also require an understanding of people's experiences, meanings, values, and social conditions. This study employs a qualitative approach using a library research method by examining relevant literature on the philosophy of social science, naturalism, interpretivism, and contemporary research paradigms. The analysis is conducted descriptively and critically by comparing the ontological, epistemological, axiological, and methodological foundations of both perspectives. The findings indicate that naturalism offers strengths in explaining social phenomena through empirical evidence, relational patterns, and scientific reasoning, whereas interpretivism provides an in-depth understanding of individuals' experiences, perspectives, and meanings constructed within social life. Integrating these two perspectives enables researchers to develop a more comprehensive understanding of social reality. This article proposes the Integrative Naturalism–Interpretivism Model (INIM), which consists of five stages: social reality identification, empirical exploration, contextual interpretation, knowledge integration, and knowledge reflection and development. This model is expected to serve as a conceptual framework for developing social research methodologies that are more systematic, flexible, and responsive to the complexity of societal issues. Therefore, integrating naturalism and interpretivism contributes to broadening social research perspectives by connecting empirical explanations with interpretive understanding