ABSTRACT
For several decades positivists have been severely criticized for their faith in – and dependence on – methodology. Once the consequences of accepting an underlying methodology and its appropriate methods are fully accepted, there is little need for further ethical discussion or other critical discourse. The usual definition suggests that methodology covers the preliminary selection of viewpoint, the objectives to be accomplished, the value system to be used, and the procedures likely to further the inquiry. “Methods” in the same usage means the specific procedures needed to apply the methodology and carry on the investigation. The outcomes from the application of the methods are taken by most positivists to be empirically acceptable without the need for further value analysis and criticism.
