Normative vs. Interpretive Perspective

Normative models of social research hold that human behaviour is law-like and should be investigated by natural science's techniques of observation. Behaviour is determined by the past. General theories are sought to account for social behaviour.

Interpretive models work explicitly from within the human perspective. Action, i.e. future-oriented intentional behaviour, is emphasised and theories are emergent, multi-faceted, and attentive to the meanings created by the participants.

Cohen, Manion and Morrison (2000)

Normative
Concerned with rules, recommendations or proposals, as contrasted with mere description of the statement of matters of fact.

Interpretive sociology
Any sociological theory or approach that emphasises that humans give meaning to social reality before deciding how they are going to act, requiring explanations to refer to the subjective states of social actors.

Estes states:

Another classification dimension of different gerontological theories (also consistent with the larger disciplinary social sciences) is the "normative" versus the "interpretive" perspective...

Social Policy and Aging, p 25