32. Quantitative Research Foundations | Positivist & Post-Positivist Views

About this lesson

By: Angel Reyes

Welcome to Module 3.2 of the Research Ethics Foundations series!

In this video, we explore the philosophical foundations that shape quantitative research, including positivism and post-positivism. Understanding these foundations helps researchers critically evaluate studies and choose the right methods for their research questions.

What You’ll Learn in This Module

• What positivism and post-positivism means in quantitative research

• How philosophical assumptions influence quantitative research designs

• The role of objectivity, probability, and measurement in quantitative inquiry

• Differences between the foundations of quantitative and qualitative paradigms

• When and why to use quantitative or mixed methods in healthcare research

Core Topics Covered

Positivist Foundations

Objective reality and researcher neutrality

Direct observation and measurement

Cause-effect relationships and hypothesis testing

Post-Positivist Perspectives

Reality as imperfectly understood

Use of multiple measures to reduce bias

Emphasis on probability, rigor, and critical interpretation

Comparing Paradigms

Philosophical differences between quantitative and qualitative research

Complementary strengths and mixed methods integration

Choosing the right paradigm for your research goals

Lesson notes

Full written notes for this lesson are in production. Until they publish, watch the video above and use the summary on this page as your study guide.