I Am Positive About Positivism-Ok

I am positive about positivism . . .
Assignment
Syed Azeem Ahmed

@00318003 s.a.ahmed@edu.salford.ac.uk

Introduction
There
are many fields of the life where research is going on. There are many ways to do research. Some fields have their own pre-defined set of rules for doing research. As well as some researchers are base on rough ideas and thoughts. The research methodology consists on different ways. It has its own pre defined ways on which we build our assumptions and carry out our work. Research is a systematic way of defining new facts after processing data critically to get out new result. In researching process researchers tries to find a new way to get the answers of those questions which are not answered before. There is a common miss understanding between the qualitative and quantitative types of the research. The word quantitative means that it is something in which we dealing about measurements and statics. Similarly, the term qualitative means that in which we deal about non-numeric things. It has something commonly we do in comparing two things. In research methodology there are different philosophical assumptions that have to be made for solving different problems. The traditional image of research is positivism. In the given paragraphs we are going to read about positivism with the basic understanding. One of the oldest and finest scientific method with which researchers do in the field of science is positivism. This method has been acquired for several hundred years, from the time of Newton, Galileo and Bacon. This method is very old so it has been refined and very much established. In this scientific research method we have basic two pillars to carry out our work: Problem, common issue or thought. Objective to get the solution.
There are many common issues in our society which can be easily solve through our common day to day experiences or may be it needs a complex solution to come out at any point. We can use our personal experiences and feelings. In scientific methods we always aim to find out different issues and their solution by gathering best and accurate information. This process can be easily described in the given figure:
Hypothesis Test Outcome
Conclusion
Figure I: Describing how to do research Syed Ahmed s.a.ahmed@edu.salford.ac.uk
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Fyodor Dostoyevsky wrote a great line in Crime and Punishment about this approach that: It is man's unique privilege, among all other organisms. By pursuing falsehood you will arrive at the truth! Joris-Karl Huysmans quoted that: Worshiping the Devil is no more insane than worshiping God...It is precisely at the moment when positivism is at its high-water mark that mysticism stirs into life and the follies of occultism begin
What is assumption?
The proceed of charming something approved or somewhat that is taken for decided Or The act of accepting or denying anything without any proof
Creating an assumptions
In the first step have to set an assumption, any nature reality or any issue. After that we have
to start collecting our data about the issue, in this step we gather our data from personal experiences, environment, and peoples thinking and other different sources like written or electronic source. After this step we test and compare our best available data with the problem and try to find out a solution, whether its positive or negative. We thoroughly check out our data with the tested results and pre-described set of rules. Then we thoroughly check out the outcome whether the outcome is same as we are expecting or the final result is entirely different. We have to check each and single step with all the best provided inputs and evaluate our answer. Then, finally we can make a conclusion about the outcome. The conclusion will be our final answer of the research. Now, we will take some simple assumptions and justify our above explanations. For this we have to do a Hypothesis (basic assumption) and then we have to collect data about the hypothesis, then we have to make an outcome from our test and then finally we can make our final conclusion about our taken hypothesis. Lets make a simple and short example on how we can proof the entire explained thing in simple way. Assume that all the swans are white, which a very common thing. This is our hypothesis now go check it whether is there any other colour of swans are exists. We have to go at any park where we can find swans. We found that all the swans are white and finally it is confirmed that all the swans are white in the garden. But what happened if some go at any other place and saw that there is a black swan or in black and white colour, then what happened with our hypothesis? Is it going to be wrong or we have to change our assessment again? Our positivism at that time with the best provided data was right because at that condition we saw all swans are white and we made our hypothesis. So, this is a simple and short example to understand the positivism.
Syed Ahmed s.a.ahmed@edu.salford.ac.uk
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Another important approach in research is Interpretivism (also known as anti-positivists). It states that science cannot be applied at all the fields of our life. We cannot calculate each and everything in our lives with the balance of science. They give importance on individuals experiences because everyone is different with everyone. We cannot treat everyone with a single theory; this approach may work sometime but not at all every time. Scientific approaches are not accurate to study our society because our natural world is quite different from it. In some cases subjects being objectively studied may not be seem as they are looking to us. So, the researchers collect wrong data which finally result in wrong outcome. According to (Jamieson Rachel, 2011) In some cases scientists develop their theory and then they find a method to justify and prove their theory, well in some instances scientists give method and then develop their theory. Well all its depends on us how we are going to prove yes! I am right.
How theory determines methodology (Table I)

Sociologists have different views on society Sociologists have different approaches in research Different ways of collecting data Different types of data collected d Requires different ways of analysis the result Different results get on the same subject Different sociological theories emerge
In this (table I) we are discussing how to develop a methodology by using a theory. First we have set our approach then we need to collect our data from different sources, then critical analysis of the data is an important part. After critical analysis there will be the result of the process.
We see in the above (table I) that how theory determines methodology. We have pre described set of rules which we must have to follow for our research. It starts from how sociologist is seeing any point, then how he is collecting the data, what are the ways for collecting data, how he is analysing the data then what are the results he gets. Whether it is the same result he is expecting or it is entirely different. Then finally he can emerge a method on his collected data.
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How methodology determines the theory (Table II)
Sociologist has different approaches in their research Different ways of collecting data
In this (table II) we are discussing how to develop a theory by using a methodology. First we have set our approach then we need to collect our data from different sources, then critical analysis of the data is an important part. After critical analysis there will be the result of the process. Finally we got the theory of our developed method.
Requires different ways of analysis
Different results can be found on the same subject Different sociological theories can emerge Sociologists have different views on the society
Now lets see our (table II), sociologist have different approaches in doing research, they collect data from different sources like news papers, articles, books, electronic data, surveys, personal experiences and other research outcomes, then they analyzed it through different ways, analysing is the process where they create evidence on their hypothesis. They compare the collected data with the other peoples work, by doing this they can get different results on their collected data in different conditions, after collecting strong evidence and strong data analysing now they can create a theory on their collected data. In research methodology there are two approaches. One is quantitative approach and the other is qualitative approach. In quantitative approach we have to collect data in numbers, statistical these are reliable and can make strong outcome. However, in qualitative method we are collecting data from peoples practises, idiographic, it is subjective, we discus about the behaviour of the subject.
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Well lets see critically what the difference is in qualitative and quantitative research.
Contrast between Quantitative and Qualitative approaches

(Table III) describing the Quantitative and Qualitative methods from different point of views. Quantitative Numbers Statistical Cold, bare Nomothetic (i.e., discovery of universal laws) Reliable, stable relationships between variables General Qualitative practises Illustrative, Interpretative Warm, rich Idiographic (i.e., understanding of behaviour in context) Potentially variable meanings and rules
Form of data Form of analysis Feels of analysis Goals of analysis
Product of analysis
Application of Particular findings Researchers stance Detached Involved Assumed status of Objective Potentially analysis subjective Research approach Often deductive Often Inductive Modified from Haslam & McGarty 2003, p. 359
Practical Approach
Now, lets formulate our theory about why coffee keeps us wake and fresh or we can simply name it coffee theory. First we have to assume that drinking coffee can keep us wake and feel us fresh. Now, we will collect our data according to our theory subject. We have to check the ingredients of the coffee scientifically. We know that coffee contains caffeine in huge amount. So, after drinking coffee our bodys nerve cells started working as an adenosine (a nucleoside that is a structural component of nucleic acid, it presents in all living cells). According to (Boutrel Benjamin, PhD; Koob George F., PhD) in the body because of the caffeine the cells cannot sense adenosine. So it speeds up the cell, caffeine blocks the andesine ability to open the brain vessels to constrict, thats why some headache medicines contains caffeine. These are the verified and proved things which are described by the medical science. However, if a person come and says he/she doesnt feel asleep after drinking coffee it does not mean that the whole medical science is wrong because of the one person, this is one persons believe and experience but in truth caffeine causes us to awake for long time. So a single cup of coffee creates a lot of storms in our body. I can also feel this whenever I feel tried I drink a cup of coffee and it makes me fresh. My whole day cannot pass if I dont drink coffee in the morning. Well this is not only happens with me it also happens with my colleagues they drink, so much cup of coffees to keep them fresh in the office, class or in the Syed Ahmed s.a.ahmed@edu.salford.ac.uk Page 6

home. Well coffee theory is a general and very critical example. If we see it critically we can examine that a cup of coffee can cause lots of things in our mind. A single cup can convert our mind from sleepy dreams and get us in the work to pay our attention. I never seen a person who claims that he/she doesnt feels sleeper after drinking coffee. I read many peoples comments, surveys and online surveys and everyone is accepting including me that coffee theory is correct. We can also take examples from peoples experiences that at the morning they drink coffee regularly and they feel that they can even work better now for long time. So its common practise and scientifically proved that coffee keeps us wake and make us able to work longer. Now we have done and we can make final conclusion from scientific proofs, peoples experiences and by our personal experiences that coffee keep us wake and makes us feel fresh. Now, lets take another assumption that recycle papers can make our environment safe. Now, I have created my hypothesis and I will start collecting data, first I have to find a way of how paper recycling occurs. Then I have to collect information on how much energy is consumed in making paper first time. After this I have to find a way how to collect used papers from different places. I have to study what are the procedures of recycling the paper. Then, I will study that how much energy is consume by paper in recycling, how much our energy is saved and what are the environmental and business benefits. However, for this I have to read several governments recycling policy and their working on this. I have to sort out what are the ways to collect wasted papers and then how will they going to treat. I have to collect several fact sheets on paper recycling. As much I am getting in this research I am going to know how much recycling is useful to the entire globe. Recycling can save thousands of tress, recycling can save tons of fresh water; recycling can save millions of mega watt electricity, recycling can make our planet greener. According to (Wikipedia, 2011) these facts are from different sources. Some calculations show that recycling one ton of newspaper saves about 4,000 kWh (14 GJ) of electricity, this may be too high. This is enough electricity to power a 3-bedroom European house for an entire year, or enough energy to heat and air-condition the average North American home for almost six months. According to (Recycling-guide, 2011) that by recycling one ton of paper can save 17 trees, 40% of energy is saved in recycling, about 35% of the municipal solid waste can be save. It reduces the chemical process, it reduces the bleaching process; it makes less water and chemical waste in recycling. However, it also makes our air and environment clean and green. By the data from United States Environment Protection agency (EPA) that 35% less water and 74% less air pollution can be obtain through making paper recycle. In European Union (EU) paper recycling is mature. In 2004 it 64.5% and in 2007 it was 64.5%.
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General Paper Facts by (cityofinglewood, 2011): 4,100 kilowatts saved per ton-recycled 60 pounds of air pollution reduced per ton recycled Recycling only 1 ton of paper you save: 17 trees 6,953 gallons of water 463 gallons of oil 587 pounds of air pollution 3.06 cubic yards of landfill space 4,077 kilowatt hours of energy Above calculations tells us that recycling is important thing which can make our environment safe clean and natural and can save our tress and earth. These calculations are done on very advance labs and they are monitored by different power companies including government and private. We have proved our hypothesis scientifically through calculations. Hence the assumption which I take in start is positive. Now I emphasized people to promote recycling and request them to always use the recycle products because it has proved through scientific calculations that it saves energy, our planet and also our money.
Final outcome
Positivism increases the decision making power as we discussed earlier e.g. like black and white swans. It has many advantages as well some disadvantages. Beside all the disadvantages, it is still a very simple procedure to follow, which saves time and efforts on the particular case. This approach also helps in gathering data, which makes the complicated data into simple data. This data is easy to understand to the readers as well presenting the data. This type of research avoids the complicated procedure and steps, which directly involve in producing the accurate data to the researcher. However, it may leave the researcher in a short sample of data, which may not enough for the required research because of the nature of the research. In addition, the analyses on that particular data may not be feasible in every type of research like medical research etc (depends on the type of the research). Overall, positivism is a good researching method of gathering the data. It helps the researcher to gathered the data and analyse the data very easily. This data helps the researcher to conclude all the type the data in a very simple form. The statistics of that data is very easy and presentable to the audience. The facts and figures directly show about the theme of the researcher through their considered hypothesis and their outcomes. This will developed a new theory, which makes the researcher to carry on this research to fulfil for the future requirements.
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Referencing
Jamieson Rachel.Sociology fact sheet. Sociology Factsheet: Positivism -vInterpretive. Retrieved from: www.curriculum- ress.co.uk Boutrel Benjamin, PhD; Koob George F., PhD. May 2004. What Keeps Us Awake: the Neuropharmacology of Stimulants and Wakefulness Promoting Medications. SLEEP, Vol. 27, No. 6, 1181-1194 Archive.org. (2011) Retrieved 14/12/2011, from http://web.archive.org/web/20070927175746/http://www.bir.org/aboutrecycling/index. asp Wikipedia, 2011.Paper recycling. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_recycling#Energy Recycling-guide, 2011. Recycling guide. http://www.recycling-guide.org.uk/facts.html Cityofinglewood,2011.Source:Weyerhaeuser.http://www.cityofinglewood.org/pdfs/pw/ Recycling_Facts.pdf
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I am positive about positivism . . .

Syed Azeem Ahmed