Positivism and Post-Positivism in Health and Social Science Research: Past, Present, and Contemporary Challenges

Abstract

Positivism and post-positivism have been foundational paradigms shaping research in the health and social sciences, guiding how knowledge is produced, interpreted, and applied. Positivism, rooted in the work of Auguste Comte, emphasises empirical observation, objective measurement, and the identification of universal laws governing natural and social phenomena. Post-positivism emerged in response to critiques of strict empiricism, recognising the provisional nature of scientific knowledge and the influence of theoretical assumptions and contextual factors on observation and interpretation. The present study provides a comprehensive synthesis of global empirical research, integrating quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods evidence to evaluate how these paradigms inform methodological choices, research outcomes, and evidence interpretation. In health research, positivist methods dominate in epidemiology, biomedical research, and clinical trials, yet post-positivist frameworks enable the inclusion of social determinants of health, cultural context, and patient experience. In social sciences, statistical and demographic modelling derived from positivism facilitates understanding of population-level trends, while post-positivist approaches allow exploration of human motivations, social structures, and cultural meanings. Despite extensive theoretical discussion, gaps remain in systematically linking philosophical paradigms with empirical outcomes and integrating evidence across methodological approaches. This study addresses these gaps by combining historical, philosophical, and meta-analytic perspectives, highlighting the complementary nature of positivist and post-positivist methodologies for addressing complex global health and social challenges. The findings underscore the need for integrative frameworks that balance empirical rigour with contextual insight.