Word
positivism
Meanings
A philosophical view that genuine knowledge is based on observable, testable evidence and scientific method.
In research (especially social science), an approach that prioritizes quantifiable data, objective measurement, and hypothesis testing.
Definition
Positivism is the view that reliable knowledge comes mainly from observable, measurable facts and scientific methods.
Positivism is a philosophical approach that treats empirical observation and experimentation as the best basis for knowledge. It emphasizes facts that can be tested and verified, and it tends to be skeptical of metaphysical or purely speculative claims. In academic contexts, it is often discussed in relation to scientific reasoning and research methods in the social sciences.
Examples
- In his dissertation, he defends positivism as the most disciplined way to evaluate competing explanations.
- She critiques positivism for overlooking how culture and language shape what researchers treat as “facts.”
- They adopted positivism in their study design, relying on standardized measures and replicable procedures.
- I began to question positivism after seeing how two teams interpreted the same dataset in conflicting ways.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse positivism with simple optimism, but positivism is a theory about knowledge and scientific evidence.
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