Social Research Glossary A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Home
Citation reference: Harvey, L., 2012-24, Social Research Glossary, Quality Research International, http://www.qualityresearchinternational.com/socialresearch/
This is a dynamic glossary and the author would welcome any e-mail suggestions for additions or amendments.
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Normative
Normative refers to the the expression of how something ought to be.
Normative as a statement of how things shoudl be takes two closely related forms. First, an expression of desirability or affirmation of what ought to be the case devoid of any necessary evidence. Second, referring to an extant norm, standard or value.
The second case often occurs in sociology when social or cultural norms are implied, alluded to or prescribed. The notion of shared norms or values is a major aspect of structural functionalist theories of social cohesion.
Similarly, in law, given a specific value position, 'normative' usually refers to how something ought to be done.
Schenk (undated) states:
A normative statement expresses a judgment about whether a situation is desirable or undesirable.
What is NORMATIVE STATEMENT? The indeterminability of the correctness or wrongness of an opinion or value judgement.
See also
Schenk, R., undated, 'Positive and normative'. available at http://ingrimayne.com/econ/Introduction/Normativ.html, accessed 18 March 2013, still available 11 June 2019.