POSITIVISM (neaten)

POSITIVISM (neaten)

1. Scientific approach

2. An approach to research which links to structural theories.

3. Large scale (macro) approach

4. Attempts to establish 'social facts', patterns, trends and casual relationships.

5. Believe that there is an external social reality which affects behaviour, and that it can be objectively measured by following the logic of scientific research.

6. Prefers quantitative methods.

7. Prefers structured methods such as questionnaires, structured interviews and Official Statistics (seen as valid and true)

8. Requires methods that are reliable so that results can be checked by repetition if needed.

9. Samples are usually large, therefore representative so more generalisable.

10. Positivist research seeks to establish laws of human behaviour.

11. Sociological research can be objective, scientific and value-free.

12. KEY GOALS

    • RELIABILITY
    • OBJECTIVITY
    • REPRESENTATIVENESS
    • GENERALISABILITY