22Apr

Positivism Research Philosophy

It must be admitted that explaining Positivist Research Philosophy in a precise and succinct manner is difficult. This is due to the wide range of circumstances in which positivism is applied by researchers. The number of different ways to explain positivism could be equal to the number of authors who have written about research philosophy. Nonetheless, positivism is based on the premise that science is the sole path to discovering the truth. The following essay discusses the positivist research philosophy, with a concentration on business studies.


Positivism is a philosophy that holds that only "factual" information received by observation (the senses), including measurement, is reliable. The researcher's function in positivist studies is confined to data collection and objective interpretation. In other words, the researcher conducts the study as an impartial analyst who separates herself from personal values. The study outcomes in these types of investigations are frequently apparent and quantitative.


Positivism is based on quantifiable data that can be analyzed statistically. For decades, it has been the most common type of research in business and management disciplines. "As a philosophy, positivism conforms with the empiricist notion that knowledge arises from human experience," according to one source. It has an atomistic, ontological view of the universe, seeing it as "a collection of separate, observable elements and events that interact in predictable, predictable, and regular ways."


Furthermore, in positivist investigations, the researcher is separate from the study, and there are no safeguards in place to protect human interests. In general, positivist studies use a deductive method, whereas phenomenological studies use an inductive one. Furthermore, positivism refers to the idea that researchers should focus on facts, whereas phenomenology focuses on the meaning and allows for human interest.


If you take a positivist approach to your study, you believe that you are independent of your research and that your research may be entirely objective," the researchers warn. When conducting research, independent means that you engage with your research subjects as little as possible." To put it another way, positivist studies are based solely on facts and treat the world as external and objective.


The five main principles of positivism research philosophy can be summarized as the following: There are no differences in the logic of inquiry across sciences. The research should aim to explain and predict. Research should be empirically observable via human senses. Inductive reasoning should be used to develop statements (hypotheses) to be tested during the research process. Science is not the same as common sense. Common sense should not be allowed to bias the research findings. Science must be value-free and it should be judged only by logic.


The following are a few examples of studies that adhere to positivism research philosophy: A study into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the equity of fashion brands in North America. An analysis of the effects of foreign direct investment in the information technology industry on GDP growth. A study of the relationship between diffusion of innovation of mobile applications and saturation of applications.


Science as an Underlying Ground for Positivism

Positivism frequently entails the development of hypotheses that will be examined during the research process using existing theory. Positivist researchers like to utilize a highly structured research approach so that the same study may be replicated in the future. In positivist research philosophy, science can be defined as a cornerstone. In particular, positivism is based on the scientific aspects listed below.


Science is deterministic: The scientific method is founded on the idea that X causes Y in specific situations. When using a scientific approach, the responsibility of the researcher is to determine the specific nature of cause and effect interactions.


Science is mechanistic: The mechanical aspect of the scientific approach can be expressed in the following way: researchers make hypotheses that are then proven or rejected using specific research methodologies.


Science uses the method:To operationalize theory or hypothesis, selected procedures are mechanically applied. The use of technique includes selecting a sample, taking measurements, analyzing the data, and drawing conclusions concerning hypotheses.


Science deals with empiricism:To operationalize theory or hypothesis, selected methodologies are mechanically applied. The selection of a sample, measurements, analysis, and concluding hypotheses are all part of the methodology application.


Shortcomings of Positivism

Positivism as epistemology is associated with the following set of disadvantages: Positivism considers experience to be a reliable source of knowledge. However, many fundamental and vital notions like causation, time, and space are not founded on personal experience. There could be a slew of other factors that have influenced research outcomes, yet positivism's research philosophy ignores their impact. Positivism assumes that all forms of processes can be viewed as a variant of individual acts or interpersonal connections. Positivism's use in business and other studies has been attacked for its reliance on the status quo. In other words, positivist research findings are just descriptive, and hence lack insight into complex topics.


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