A Guide for Positivist Research Paradigm: From Philosophy to Methodology

  • Irwan Mohammad Ali 1Department of Built Environment Studies & Technology, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Perak Branch, 32610, Seri Iskandar Campus, Malaysia

Abstract

Asserting that reality is objective, observable, and governed by universal laws through empirical investigation and logical reasoning, positivism continues to serve as a foundation in scientific inquiry. This paper provides a thorough examination of the positivist research paradigm, tracing its philosophical underpinnings and methodological implications. The epistemological foundation of positivism rests on objectivism, which posits that knowledge is independent of individual perceptions and can be verified through empirical evidence. Ontologically, positivism asserts a realist perspective, asserting a singular reality that exists external to human cognition. Axiologically, positivism emphasises value-free research to ensure objectivity and replicability of findings. This paper explores these philosophical beliefs and their application in research design, data collection techniques such as surveys and experiments, and data analysis methods, including statistical tools like SPSS and SmartPLS. By interpreting these aspects, this paper serves as a comprehensive guide for researchers adopting a positivist research paradigm, offering insights into its strengths, limitations, and ongoing relevance in present scientific inquiry.


Keywords: Positivism, Objectivism, Naive Realism, Value-Free Research, Research Methodology

References

Blaikie, N. (2007). Approaches to Social Enquiry: Advancing Knowledge. Polity.

Bond, T. G., & Fox, C. M. (2013). Applying the Rasch Model: Fundamental Measurement in the Human Sciences. Routledge.

Bryman, A. (2016). Social Research Methods (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Byrne, B. M. (2010). Structural Equation Modeling with AMOS: Basic Concepts, Applications, and Programming. Routledge.

Campbell, D. T., & Stanley, J. C. (2015). Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs for Research. Ravenio Books.

Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2002). Research methods in education.Routledge.
Comte, A. (1858). The Positive Philosophy of Auguste Comte. Blanchard.

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications.

Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2017). Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research. Sage Publications.

Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications.

Crotty, M. (1998). The Foundations of Social Research: Meaning and Perspective in the Research Process. Sage Publications.

Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2018). Introduction: The discipline and practice of qualitative research. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), The Sage handbook of qualitative research (5th ed., pp. 1-28). Sage Publications.

Field, A. (2018). Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics (5th ed.). Sage Publications.

Fowler, F. J. (2014). Survey Research Methods. (5th ed.). Sage Publications.

Guba, E. G., & Lincoln, Y. S. (1994). Competing Paradigms in Qualitative Research. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of Qualitative Research (pp. 105-117). Sage Publications.

Hammersley, M. (2008). Questioning Qualitative Inquiry: Critical Essays. Sage Publications.

Johnson, R. B., & Christensen, L. (2019). Educational research: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed approaches. Sage Publications.

Johnson, R. B., Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Turner, L. A. (2007). Toward a definition of mixed methods research. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1(2), 112-133.

Kerlinger, F. N., & Lee, H. B. (2000). Foundations of Behavioral Research. Harcourt College Publishers.

Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic Inquiry. Sage Publications.

Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (2000). Paradigmatic Controversies, Contradictions, and Emerging Confluences. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of Qualitative Research (2nd ed., pp. 163-188). Sage.

Maxwell, J. A. (2013). Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.

Neuman, W. L. (2014). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (7th ed.). Pearson.

Pallant, J. (2020). SPSS Survival Manual: A Step by Step Guide to Data Analysis Using IBM SPSS (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods: Integrating Theory and Practice (4th ed.). Sage Publications.

Phillips, D. C., & Burbules, N. C. (2000). Postpositivism and Educational Research. Rowman & Littlefield.

Popper, K. R. (2002). The Logic of Scientific Discovery. Psychology Press.

Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2009). Research Methods for Business Students. Pearson Education.

Sekaran, U., & Bougie, R. (2016). Research Methods for Business: A Skill Building Approach. John Wiley & Sons.

Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (2010). SAGE handbook of mixed methods in social & behavioral research (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.

Trochim, W. M., & Donnelly, J. P. (2008). The Research Methods Knowledge Base (3rd ed.). Cengage Learning.
Published
2024-09-01
How to Cite
MOHAMMAD ALI, Irwan. A Guide for Positivist Research Paradigm: From Philosophy to Methodology. Idealogy Journal, [S.l.], v. 9, n. 2, sep. 2024. ISSN 2550-214X. Available at: <https://idealogyjournal.com/ojs/index.php/idealogy/article/view/596>. Date accessed: 09 oct. 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.24191/idealogy.v9i2.596.