“Use of systematic methods of empirical investigation, the analysis of data, theoretical thinking and the logical assessment of arguments.”
This is the term that a Positivist would be acquainted with so as to assume this method. There are a few traits of positivism that need to be adhered to in order for an author to use this perspective, such as objectivity must be maintained and results would be empirical. Objectivity has to be maintained at all times, this means that writers can not be influenced by personal opinion and bias; only factual statements should only be made. All information and statements that are produced should maintain that knowledge could come only from observable phenomena and positive facts; this is essential for the result to be empirical, the facts that are observed, should be testable. Positivist only deal with these apparent facts on a macro scale; studies that take the positivist approach are on a large scale and only deal with the whole of society, the testable laws should be able to be applied to the whole of society. Another factor of positivism would be that the knowledge that is deduced is through gathering facts that provide the core for the principles that can be related upon the whole of society.
Emile Durkheim and Karl Mark
Writers such as Wright (1971), have often criticised this positivistic approach to the study of society, some question the appropriateness of relating the scientific model to sociology. Wright takes a more phenomological approach, which looks at how individual makes sense of the world around them; Positivism concentrates on explaining human behaviour, while interpretivism focuses on understanding human behaviour. Max Weber (1864-1920) also opted not to take this total positivistic approach, but did however, selected to use a Verstehen approach. The theory that Weber uses seems to both understand and explain human behaviour, subsequently, the method used, is never Positivism or Interpretivism.
In conclusion, Positivism is a scientific approach to sociology, in addition attempts to compare sociology to the other ‘natural sciences’, moreover, the methodology used when conducting research and taking this approach, is inevitable going to be different than if the researcher was opting for the interpretism method.
The methodology that would be taken into account would be different in view of the fact of the previously discussed arguments of the positivistic approach, i.e. Objectivity, empiricism, macro, and inductivism. For a value free study, thus ensuring objectivity, the methods of research used would have to be scrutinized; no research methods that could be open to interpretation could be used. These would include, open ended questionnaires; the researcher would want to generate numerical information, the questions most likely to be asked would be, ‘which?’ As opposed to ‘why?’ The reason for this is usually ‘why’ questions tend to be more open to interpretation. A positivist researcher prefers more numerical information, where phenomena can be observed, and tested.
Research methods that would generally be chosen when opting for the positivistic approach to sociology will generally result in quantitative findings. Observational techniques are not ideal when taking the positivistic method; observational modes of research are always open to interpretation, and not generally testing the observable facts that positivists are concerned with; observational techniques offer more qualitative results.
When quantitative research methods are used, objective can be maintained at all times for the reason that the results are not open to interpretation. Durkheim, the man most associated with positivism, when conducting his study into suicide, which incidentally, is probably the most famous positivistic study ever conducted, used government statistic as his data source. These statistics are not open to interpretation, thus making the research objective. However, Douglas (1967), made criticism of the reliability of Government statistics and claimed they are highly inaccurate. Moreover, statistic can often reflect the view of the researcher, or the person that is funding the research.
In conclusion, the main purpose of positivism is to test observable facts and phenomena; the effect on research methods must reflect this. The characteristics of positivism must also reflect upon the research methods that the researcher opts for. Objectivity is a major feature of positivism, how can objectivity be maintained if unstructured interviews are being used? Positivist sociologist are usually inclined to look at society on a macro scale and as a consequence, attempt to apply rules or laws upon the whole of society as opposed to looking at society as individuals. The positivistic approach is frequently criticised by writers such as Habermas and those of the Frankfurt School, who believed that positivism generally stopped at producing quantified facts and did look deeper into actual sociological interpretation. In spite of this, many sociologists today would consider themselves as positivist to a lesser extent, which is that many sociologists prefer to test observable facts, as opposed to speculation.
Bibliography
Bilton, T et al, 1996: Introductory Sociology, Macmillan Press Limited, London
Giddens, A 1997: Sociology, Polity Press, Oxford.
Bryman, A 2001: Social Research Methods, Oxford University Press, New York
