12 Jul THE INADEQUACIES OF THE POSITIVISM USED TO EXAMINE SOCIAL PROBLEMS
The following text should be reviewed, analyzed and questioned. Only 300 words would be enough.Text:Epistemology is defined as the different ways of inquiring into the nature of the physical and social worlds. (EasterbySmith, et al., 2012, p.17). It involves the study and exploration of knowledge of the world and also, how this knowledge can be acquired. These different ways of acquiring knowledge are also used in management research to investigate and analyze existing theory or principles, expand the body of knowledge for the management profession and proffer practical solutions to real life challenges facing private and public institutions. There are two main forms of epistemology namely; positivism and social constructionism. Both involve the study and acquisition of knowledge using objective methods and subjective methods respectively. Positivism Positivism is a form of epistemology which is of the view that research and real knowledge is external and based on observed facts. It takes a lot of things for granted. The tenets of positivism include its requirement for direct observation, measurability and quantification, and its separation of facts from human values (Lawson, 1990). It is also known as the objectivist method of research. Social Constructionism Social Constructionism is a new philosophical school of thought which differs from the assumptions of positivism. It does not share the view that knowledge about reality or the physical and social world is acquired through objective methods. Social constructionism believes that research and knowledge about reality is acquired by subjective methods. This implies that people acquire knowledge by being open minded, innovative and thinking outside the box and thereafter sharing their experiences with other people. Major technological and scientific breakthroughs result from knowledge acquired by investigating what was originally perceived to be impossible or nonexistent based on previously published facts. Formulation of management research problems Management research problems are formulated based on the intention of the Researcher and also to some extent, the type of research to be embarked upon. The intention of the research can be to discover practical solutions to corporate or industry challenges, investigate information on best practices or provide information that will guide management profession. This is defined as Applied Research. Alternatively the intention could be to add to the body of knowledge and contribute to existing academic theory. This type of research is defined as Pure Research. Epistemology in the form of positivism or socialcConstructionism influences the formulation of management research problems. Positivism influences management research problems by inferring that the problem being investigated is either a fact, or that it is based on predetermined facts. Subsequently, it influences the research method by directing the Researcher towards a quantitative research approach involving analyzing statistical data relating to the research problem. The research problem is concluded based on the analysis of the primary and secondary information and data gathered during the investigation. Social constructionism influences formulation of management research problems by encouraging the Researcher to consider the bigger picture. It does not accept the research problem or its underlying assumptions or propositions as facts. Rather it encourages creativity and seeks to understand and explain the existence of the management problem. The perceived short-comings inherent in positivism its objective method of research and acquiring knowledge, has resulted to a paradigm shift and a different school of thought known as social constructionism. Positivism first accepts the underlying assumptions in research problems as facts. These assumptions cause the problem investigation to be skewed in a certain direction thereby leaving out other possible valid causes. This can hinder breakthroughs and discovery of new theory relating to management. The inadequacies of the positivism used to examine social problems have resulted in a trend towards a social constructionist approach. (Fopp, 2008). This approach has resulted in research problems to be formulated and investigated subjectively. The Researcher is personally and actively involved in the investigation and knowledge acquisition process.
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