• Amartya Ray

Positivism has remained a major theory of study and debate among scholars of social sciences since its conceptualisation back in the 19th century. Though it is mainly treated as an approach to knowledge, its standing and relevance as one has faced questions and criticism from time to time. This paper aims to draw a simplistic chronology of the development of positivism as an approach and while in the process tries to point out its core weaknesses as identified by scholars of different generations. This paper proposes that the fundamental success of positivism lies in its influence as a movement for upholding the scientific rigour in social sciences, replacing the prevailing normative or metaphysical discourses, rather than as an approach itself.

Positivism, Post-positivism, Knowledge, Science, Empirical, Value

"Locating positivism in social science research: an approach or a movement?", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 2, page no.184-189, February-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1902G27.pdf

"Locating positivism in social science research: an approach or a movement?", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 2, page no. pp184-189, February-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1902G27.pdf