ion One Social sciences aim to explain variation in human behavior (Baran & Davis, 2011). They attempt to explore, explain and predict specific social phenomenon. They seek to find regularities and patterns in the way people live, interact, socialize and behave. For instance, sociologists aspires to understand how the social structures, family, schools, churches or interest groups, influence human attributes such as religiosity, voting or caring for each other. If one accepts the fact that social sciences look for real, objective and parsimonious descriptions, explanations and predictions of the social world around us, then the best theoretical perspective available for the production of this body of knowledge is the Post-positivist approach
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I, as an aspiring mass communications scholar, wholeheartedly embrace the ontology, epistemology and methodology of the post-positivist approach in my work. At the moment, I am planning on conducting my Masters’ essay project, which aims to explore whether deterrence works in garnering employees ’compliance with social media policies in governmental agencies in Saudi Arabia. In planning my research, I assume that the best approach to find an answer for my question is to apply the principles of the scientific method, conceptualization, operationalization, measurement, data collection and analysis, with the realization that there is a real answer to my question that could be reached through objective investigation. All of these assumptions underlie the basic principles of the post-positivist approach. Below, I discuss the fundamental assumptions underlying the ontology and epistemology of post-positivism. I also include a brief discussion of the approaches’ benefits for the production of social scientific …show more content…
Post-positivism urges investigators to introduce as many controls as possible to reduce any possible bias resulting from the engagement of the researcher in his/her own research. Further, the application of the scientific method and robust principles of research design maximizes the separation between the individuals and the question of study (Wimmer & Dominick, 2013). Compared to normative, interpretive and critical scientific approaches, post-positivism scores the highest in the attempt of achieving the value free knowledge principle in research.
Post-positivist approaches offer great benefits to the study of social science, as well as mass communications. First, this perspective is the least dogmatic or value ridden one. Researchers applying this perspective do not necessarily ascribe to particular ways of thinking as in the case of Marxist analysis or critical theory. On the contrary, this approach encourages researchers to think creatively while grounding their concepts based on agreed upon systems of conceptualization and
I, as an aspiring mass communications scholar, wholeheartedly embrace the ontology, epistemology and methodology of the post-positivist approach in my work. At the moment, I am planning on conducting my Masters’ essay project, which aims to explore whether deterrence works in garnering employees ’compliance with social media policies in governmental agencies in Saudi Arabia. In planning my research, I assume that the best approach to find an answer for my question is to apply the principles of the scientific method, conceptualization, operationalization, measurement, data collection and analysis, with the realization that there is a real answer to my question that could be reached through objective investigation. All of these assumptions underlie the basic principles of the post-positivist approach. Below, I discuss the fundamental assumptions underlying the ontology and epistemology of post-positivism. I also include a brief discussion of the approaches’ benefits for the production of social scientific …show more content…
Post-positivism urges investigators to introduce as many controls as possible to reduce any possible bias resulting from the engagement of the researcher in his/her own research. Further, the application of the scientific method and robust principles of research design maximizes the separation between the individuals and the question of study (Wimmer & Dominick, 2013). Compared to normative, interpretive and critical scientific approaches, post-positivism scores the highest in the attempt of achieving the value free knowledge principle in research.
Post-positivist approaches offer great benefits to the study of social science, as well as mass communications. First, this perspective is the least dogmatic or value ridden one. Researchers applying this perspective do not necessarily ascribe to particular ways of thinking as in the case of Marxist analysis or critical theory. On the contrary, this approach encourages researchers to think creatively while grounding their concepts based on agreed upon systems of conceptualization and