Can a researcher hold both a positivist and constructivist view of reality at the same time?
Based on the article, research can have both a positivist and a constructivist view. This emanates from the argument that the universe is deterministic in that it is governed by cause and effect and can be understood through the methodology of careful conduction of observation and experiments. The implication is that despite positivist view being based on quantitative methods such as experimentation, qualitative approaches can also be used especially in the generation of the hypothesis ( Biesta, 2010). In a positivist approach, the facts and values are kept separate, but the result can be used to promote change. In contrast , the constructivist approach is based on the notion that everyone constructs his or her view of the world based on their perception. Qualitative methods alone are used in a development or testing of a constructivist view. The argument is that reality is constructed and based on the view that all people’s values are important.
The two views can exist together in testing the hypotheses postulated . Evidently, all studies in sociology make some assumptions on the nature of the world ( Biesta, 2010). Most of the studies contain elements of positivism and constructivism, and the only way to get meaning from it is by testing both approaches. Therefore, sociological research should be tested using both qualitative and quantitative research. Combining the two views assists in compensating for the mutual weaknesses that exist in both qualitative and quantitative research ( Dalal & Priya, 2016) . Combining the two views allows for a broader understanding of the research in different perspective, which gives more meaning to the results. A combination of the constructivist and positivist views enables scientists to break down reality into different parts that can easily be understood.
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References
Biesta, G. (2010) Pragmatism and the Philosophical Foundations of Mixed Methods Research in A. Tashakkori and C. Teddlie (Eds.)SAGE handbook of mixed methods in social & behavioral research(2nd Ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications Ltd.
Dalal, A. K., & Priya, K. R. (2016). Introduction to qualitative research. Qualitative research on illness, wellbeing, and self-growth. London: Contemporary Indian Perspectives .
