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What is Positivism

Chapter 4
Handbook of Research on Contemporary Theoretical Models in Information Systems
Asserts that reality is the sum of sense impression. In large, equating social sciences with natural sciences. Primarily using deductive logic and quantitative research methods.
Published in Chapter:
Critical Realism
Sven A. Carlsson (Lund University, Sweden)
Copyright: © 2009 |Pages: 20
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-60566-659-4.ch004
Abstract
Different strands of non-positivistic research approaches and theories, for example, constructivism, grounded theory, and structuration theory, have gained popularity in the information systems (IS) field. Although, they are managing to overcome some problems with positivism and structural theories they are not completely without problems. This chapter puts critical realism forward as an alternative philosophical underpinning for IS research. Critical realism starts from an ontology that identifies structures and mechanisms, through which events and discourses are generated, as being fundamental to the constitution of our natural and social reality. The chapter presents critical realism and how it can be used in IS research. Examples of how critical realism have been used and can be used in research aiming at generating new IS theory, IS evaluation research, and IS design science research are provided.
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Chapter 6
Moving From Postmodernism to Metamodernism
A scientific approach that concentrates on logic, reason and natural scientific proof.
Published in Chapter: Moving From Postmodernism to Metamodernism; From: Metamodernism and Changing Literacy: Emerging Research and Opportunities
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Chapter 132
Critical Realist Information Systems Research
Asserts that reality is the sum of sense impression. In large, equating social sciences with natural sciences. Primarily using deductive logic and quantitative research methods.
Published in Chapter: Critical Realist Information Systems Research; From: Encyclopedia of Information Science and Technology, Second Edition
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Chapter 10
Integrating Student Workers Into Museum Practice
An intellectual framework from the late 18 th –19 th century that supports the idea that authentic knowledge can be verified by logic, reason, and science and is independent of the researcher.
Published in Chapter: Integrating Student Workers Into Museum Practice; From: Engaging Communities Through Civic Engagement in Art Museum Education
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Chapter 1
Theoretical Constructs and Relationships in Information Systems Research
A view of reality that sees phenomena as being governed by fundamental laws.
Published in Chapter: Theoretical Constructs and Relationships in Information Systems Research; From: Handbook of Research on Contemporary Theoretical Models in Information Systems
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Chapter 2
Application of Interpretivism Theoretical Framework on the Management of University Records: Comparison of Selected Universities
This is a philosophy based on statistical data. Knowledge is generated through observation.
Published in Chapter: Application of Interpretivism Theoretical Framework on the Management of University Records: Comparison of Selected Universities; From: Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks in ICT Research
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Chapter 12
Indigenous Knowledges and Knowledge Codification in the Knowledge Economy
The idea that valid knowledge is derived from sensory experience such as through observation and measurement, which form the basis of scientific facts.
Published in Chapter: Indigenous Knowledges and Knowledge Codification in the Knowledge Economy; From: Handbook of Research on Theoretical Perspectives on Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Developing Countries
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Chapter 357
IS Project Management Contemporary Research Challenges
A belief that natural science, based on observation, comprises the whole of human knowledge.
Published in Chapter: IS Project Management Contemporary Research Challenges; From: Encyclopedia of Information Science and Technology, Second Edition
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Chapter 7
Qualitative and Quantitative Methods as Complementary Assessment Tools
Based on Auguste Comte’s (French philosopher) original philosophical thinking, which “held that all genuine knowledge is based on sense experience and can only be advanced by means of observation and experiment…” (Cohen, Manion, & Morrison, 2000, p. 8)
Published in Chapter: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods as Complementary Assessment Tools; From: Handbook of Research on Assessment Technologies, Methods, and Applications in Higher Education
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Chapter 4
Critical Theory in Research
An approach to the study of social science which privilege facts, narrowly defined empirical evidence and systematically defined methodology. It tends to isolate social facts, disregarding their connections, at the expenses of social relations.
Published in Chapter: Critical Theory in Research; From: Approaches and Processes of Social Science Research
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