Positivism and post-positivism as the basis of quantitative research in pedagogy

Abstract

The paradigm on which a methodological approach is developed determines the situations in which its application will be most appropriate. The quantitative approach implies a positivist paradigm, the basis of which is cause-and effect relationships, as well as the questioning and verifying of existing theories. Positivism aims to prove that phenomena from the field of social sciences and humanities are equally subject to measurement as natural phenomena. That assumption is also the epicenter of criticism directed at positivism, from which, in addition to its strengths, post-positivism developed, characterized by more flexible views on absolute objectivity. The aim of this paper is focused on the analysis of the basis of the quantitative approach, the possibilities and limitations of the positivist paradigm and the post-positivist paradigm that overcomes the limitations of positivism. The tasks are as follows: 1. Define the concept of paradigm and its role in pedagogical research, 2. Determine the connection between the positivist and post-positivist paradigms and the quantitative approach, 3. Analyze the strengths and limitations of positivism and post-positivism and the possibilities of overcoming its weaknesses. The authors applied the theoretical method with content analysis and accepted the facts and ideas of positivism as the primary paradigm for researching educational reality. They state that post-positivism is intuitive and holistic, flexible in research, while positivism is based on solid facts that are objective and do not depend on subjective interpretation.