What is the Difference Between Normative and Empirical?

The main difference between normative and empirical statements lies in the nature of the judgments they contain.

• Normative statements contain subjective or value-related judgments, often using words like "should" or "should not," "better" or "worse". These statements express opinions, beliefs, or preferences and are typically not verifiable through empirical evidence.
• Empirical statements, on the other hand, are informative and fact-based, containing objective statements that can be measured or verified through empirical evidence. They describe what is in the social world without evaluating it, focusing on real experiences and observable phenomena.

In summary, normative statements are judgmental and subjective, while empirical statements are informative, fact-based, and objective. Sociologists and other researchers often focus on answering empirical questions, as they can be answered through real experience and observation.

Comparative Table: Normative vs Empirical

The difference between normative and empirical statements can be summarized as follows:

In social sciences, normative statements are related to how things should be, expressing opinions and beliefs. Empirical statements, on the other hand, are based on factual information and can be verified through observation. For example, "Our country has the highest standards of living in the world" is an empirical statement, while "Our country is the best country in the world" is a normative statement.