Durkhiem is frequently referred to as a positivist, Weber as the founder of interpretative sociology. Critically compare and evaluate their methodological contributions to sociology.

This essay will be examining the methodological contributions both Durkheim and Weber have provided to sociology.  It will briefly observe what Positivists are and how their methodologies influence and affect their research.  It will also consider what interpretative sociology is, and why their type of methodology is used when carrying out research.  It will analyse both Durkheims study of Suicide and also Webers study of The Protestant work ethic, and hopefully establish how each methodology was used for each particular piece of research, and why.

Emile Durkhiem, in sociology terminology is considered to be a Functionalist, in addition to also being a Positivist, however, strictly speaking, Durkheim was not a Positivist….(short extract)