Georgia Southern University

Positivism is based on the idea that the only real knowledge is scientific knowledge, and that such knowledge can come only from positive declaration of theories through strict scientific and quantitative methods.

Anti-positivism suggests that research should focus on human cultural norms, values, symbols, and social processes viewed from a resolutely subjective perspective.

Positivists’ research methods include experiments, structured surveys & questionnaires, birth & death statistics and official records, while anti-positivists’ research methods include participant observation, unstructured interviews, diaries and letters.

Another thing to consider is positivists’ and anti-positivists’ stance on sociology. Positivists believe that sociology can be a scientific by following scientific procedures- having a testable hypothesis and evidence.

On the other hand, anti-positivists believe sociology can not be a science as sociologists do not agree on one accepted paradigm.