Positivism

Positivism

1. What is this?

   • Positivists have a set of assumptions about how the world works
   • Influenced by natural sciences
   • Argue we should treat people as objects that can be observed and measured
   • they believe just as there are laws to shape behaviour, there are social facts determining social actions
   • Collect QUANTITATIVE DATA
   • Follow an objective, systematic and logic method, with a macro approach

2. Patterns & Trends

   • Free will, individualism has less influence to shape behaviour
   • 'puppets of society' = everyone behaves in patterned ways due to social structure
   • There are trends in behaviour, very predictable behaviour

3. Primary & secondary data

   • Use standardised measuring instruments like structured interviews
   • Research methods should be replicable, meaning that it is reliable when others get similar results
   • Data presented a stables and charts to analyse patterns and trends
   • Collect a large quantity of data to make it generalisable
   • Research should be objective, no personal values included
   • Scientific = valid

4. Dominated research methods

   • 1. Easy way to remain objective and value free
   • 2. government funds because generalisations can be made
   • 3. science still holds status