Which of the following advocates the application of the methods of natural sciences to the study of social reality and beyond?

The correct answer is - Positivism

Key Points

• Positivism
  • Positivism is a philosophical theory that states that knowledge should be derived from empirical evidence.
  • It emphasizes the use of the scientific method to study social reality, aiming for objectivity and replicability.
  • Positivists believe that social sciences can be studied in the same way as natural sciences, focusing on observable phenomena and measurable facts.
  • They advocate for the use of quantitative methods such as surveys, experiments, and statistical analysis to gather data.

Additional Information

• Interpretivism
  • Interpretivism contrasts with positivism by focusing on understanding the subjective meanings and experiences of individuals.
  • It emphasizes qualitative methods such as interviews, ethnography, and participant observation to understand social phenomena.
  • Interpretivists argue that social reality is constructed through human interactions and is not merely an objective entity.
• Postmodernism
  • Postmodernism challenges the idea of universal truths and objective reality, emphasizing the role of power and discourse in shaping knowledge.
  • It often critiques established narratives and seeks to highlight marginalized perspectives.
  • Postmodernists use a variety of methods, including deconstruction and critical analysis, to examine cultural and social constructs.
• Constructionism
  • Constructionism focuses on how social phenomena and knowledge are created through social processes and interactions.
  • It argues that reality is socially constructed and emphasizes the role of language, culture, and context in shaping our understanding of the world.
  • Constructionist research often employs qualitative methods to explore how individuals and groups create meaning.