Group 2 module 4 summary

Social Science_Module 4

In general, positivism is an approach to a number of disciplines, social science among them. It holds that the best approach to the study and analysis (and therefore uncovering truth about humans) is a very empirical and scientific approach. For the positivist, the only true way to uncover the human condition is experience and positive verification. The positivist tends to believe that the only truths are those that are quantifiable (e.g. measurable) and have a basis in the five major points of the scientific method (hypothesis, question, research, analysis, conclusion). Social reality, then, is the measurable way humans work and interact with each other and the universe that is the same across all sciences with a goal of explaining and predicting by logical rules. The knowledge gained is testable -- research is proved not by philosophical arguments (as in many of the Green and Renaissance metaphysicians), but by observation only. Theory to practice must, as well, be related to a specific hypothesis. In social work research, there are a number of quantifiable hypothesis that might use the positivist approach; among which quantifying the efficacy of social programs to specific sets of goals and objectives (e.g. participation in program A, B or C. is most effective out outcome X, Y, or Z) (Engel and Schutt, 2009).

However, any student of sociology or anthropology knows that not all human behavior is quantifiable at all times. Critical theory, for instance, can also have a transformative effect with many of the answers that focus on the manner in which humans should live. The positivist approach is excellent in that it helps us examine external data that can be used in an objective fashion -- social trends, changes, etc. But this view needs proof, proof, and even more proof and focuses on the way things area (tactical) rather than anything intangible (or theoretical). Contrary to this is the interpretivist viewpoint (ISS), that tries to find out why things are happening in a particular societal or cultural setting. The subjective approach allows communication with the cultural background of a society and an understanding of why things operate (Weber, 2004).

Let us say, for instance, that we, as social workers were combining sociology with anthropology and looking a baptismal behavior within the Mormon Church (or any other) and examining the ways this impacted the field of social work. The positivist would equate percentages of children who participated in comparison to the time the parents spent in church. The hypothesis may begin that a higher percentage of children would participate in the ritual if their parents were more active in the religion. Data would be gathered and tested against the hypothesis. The conclusion would be that the data confirmed the hypothesis and so the conclusion could be reached that the more active the parents, the more likely that the child would participate in the ritual. The interpretivist, however, would survey and examine why the children were baptized and what the baptism meant to the participants. The final construct for the interpretivist would be that the baptism signified a religious cleansing and a new beginning and acted as a right of passage for the young children.