Positi Vis M
Positi Vis M
Zunaira 31941
Submitted to:
Mam Noor Alam
Section:
A
Department:
MS Clinical Psychology
At
Riphah International University,
Faisalabad Campus, Faisalabad (Pakistan)
December 2024
Post-Positivism: A Philosophical Perspective in Research
1.Introduction
Post-positivism is a philosophical stance that emerged as a critique and modification of
positivism. It is rooted in the recognition that while science seeks truth, human understanding of
reality is inherently limited. Post-positivists believe that knowledge is never absolute and must
be continually tested and revised.
Origins and Historical Background:
Positivism, developed in the 19th century (Auguste Comte), emphasized that scientific knowledge
is derived from empirical observation, objectivity, and quantifiable data.
By the 20th century, scholars like Karl Popper and Thomas Kuhn challenged positivist ideals.
Popper introduced falsifiability as a core principle of science, while Kuhn emphasized the role of
paradigms in shaping scientific progress.
Post-positivism, therefore, arose to address positivism’s rigidity and acknowledge that scientific
knowledge is provisional, subjective to some degree, and influenced by social and historical
contexts.
2. Concepts of Post-Positivism
1. Reality and Truth:
Post-positivists accept that an objective reality exists but argue that humans can never fully know
it. Instead, researchers can only approximate the truth.
Reality is approached with a critical perspective, emphasizing tentative truths that are open to
revision based on evidence.
2. Fallibility of Knowledge:
Post-positivism acknowledges the fallibility of human knowledge. Scientific claims are subject
to error, bias, and revision.
This humility is what differentiates post-positivism from the absolute certainty asserted by
positivism.
3. Critical Realism:
Post-positivists align with critical realism, which argues that reality exists independently of
human perception but can only be understood through imperfect lenses.
Example: In social science research, poverty is a real phenomenon, but people’s understanding of
poverty is shaped by their cultural and personal biases.
4. Objective and Subjective Integration:
Post-positivists strive for objectivity but accept that complete neutrality is impossible.
Researchers’ values, backgrounds, and experiences influence their interpretations.
Methods aim to reduce biases without claiming to eliminate them.
5. Theory and Evidence:
Post-positivists believe in the dynamic interplay between theory and empirical evidence.
Theories guide research, but evidence tests and refines these theories.
7. Conclusion
Post-positivism represents a significant evolution in scientific thought, bridging the gap between
the rigid objectivity of positivism and the interpretive approaches of constructivism. It offers a
balanced perspective that recognizes the provisional nature of knowledge, the role of human
bias, and the need for empirical rigor.
In today’s complex world, post-positivism provides researchers with the tools to explore
problems deeply, critically, and holistically, making it an essential paradigm in both natural and
social sciences.