AHSC 382 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Postpositivism, Social Constructionism, Empiricism

• School: Concordia University
• Department: Appl. Hum. Sc.
• Course: AHSC 382
• Professor: shannon

Document Summary

Positivism: best for quantitative research as the goal is to measure reality with precision. Post-positivism: commitment to objectivity by understanding reality as systematically organized, but also acknowledging that their chosen focus, theoretical perspectives, and interpretations influence how reality is explained and presented. Social constructionism: all is constructed both objectively and subjectively there is an external reality and subjective meaning-making processes. Interpretation is the result of internal processes of the mind and the externally available processes of the social world. Interpretive processes are deeply embedded in and shaped by the shared meanings that we have about activity, language, and cultural symbols. Critical theory: the world is based on unequal relations and competing interests such as power, conflict, and injustice. Issues of marginalization and social justice are addressed. The research process is collaborative with the researched: seek to generate possible solutions for oppressive relations. It is important for research to be collaborative with the researched.