04:192:200 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Logical Positivism, Postpositivism, Status Quo

• School: Rutgers University
• Department: Communication
• Course: 04:192:200
• Professor: Craig Scott

Document Summary

Knowledge must move beyond theological and mystical to scientific/positive stage. In positive/scientific stage, foundation of knowledge is in observable phenomena and formal logic. Logical positivism largely rejected by the 1960s: why? (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) Logical positivists seen as detached from workings of actual scientists. What emerges in its place? (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) For many, a kinder, gentler positivism called post-positivism (cid:1) Post-positivists are modified realists or social constructionists. Separation between knower/known exists, but is only partial. Follow scientific methods, but mostly as a guide. Rely on community of scholars (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) Values-free research not completely possible; try to keep values largely out of analytic process (cid:1) (cid:1) Deterministic: patterned behaviors seen as a result of shared environment, formal structures, etc. (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) Status quo is preserved maintain balance (cid:1) Often thought of us variables in scientific research (cid:1) Who, when, and where the theory applies (cid:1) Propositions to be specifically tested in observation (cid:1)