Postpositivists

Postpositivism is a philosophical stance that emerged as a critique of strict positivism and empirical absolutism in science. It accepts empirical observation and rigorous testing but maintains that no knowledge claim can be proven with certainty. All theories are provisional, and observations are fallible and theory-laden, meaning what we observe is shaped by prior assumptions, methods, and social context. Knowledge is probabilistic and open to revision in light of new evidence. Postpositivists view science as an iterative enterprise guided by critical scrutiny rather than a straightforward path to absolute truth. They also acknowledge the problem of underdetermination, whereby data can support multiple competing explanations.

Methodologically, postpositivists favor empirical evidence but support triangulation and methodological pluralism—using quantitative and qualitative methods to cross-check findings. They emphasize replicability, transparent reasoning, and the balance of theoretical and practical considerations. They accept a degree of bias and value judgment in research design, interpretation, and theory choice, but argue that disciplined critique, peer review, and openness to refutation can mitigate these effects.

Historically, postpositivism developed as a response to the limitations of strict positivism, drawing on critiques by Popper, Kuhn, Lakatos, and Feyerabend. In social science and education, health research, and policy studies, the term is used to describe approaches that strive for empirical adequacy while recognizing context, complexity, and the fallibility of knowledge. While not a single unified doctrine, postpositivism shares a commitment to credible explanations, rather than inviolable laws, and to ongoing critical inquiry.