As believed by Auguste Comte, who created the idea of positivism, all theories, concepts, or entities can be observed, tested, and measured through empirical verification (Gorton, 2010). This is based on the presumption that there is an objective reality that can be quantified and measured. This reality exists outside of someone's personal beliefs, values, or experiences. The aim of positivist research is to produce empirical, generalisable, and replicable knowledge about this external reality. To enhance the understanding of this approach among our peers, we made a visual collage, showing pictures that relate to positivism. For example, lab equipment, statistical equations, and a detailed close-up picture. Each picture is a piece of the observable, real-world, which doesn’t have to be interpreted with the use of emotions. What you see is what you get.  An important factor in the positivist approach is the role of the researcher. The researcher is placed outside of the research environment. In the collage, this is depicted as the researcher being in a bubble. Then, the researcher observes the objective reality without giving meaning to it. We asked our peers to find different objects within the collage, such as a piece of bread or a pile of money. In this way, they uncovered different facts within the objective reality. 

Access and download this resource: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1U0TTVwkVfOGR6jWDj8yyo1r-ObmAYVQi?usp=sharing 

References: 

Gorton, W. A. (2010) ‘The philosophy of social science’, The Internet Encyclopaedia of Philosophy, https://iep.utm.edu/soc-sci/ 

Resource designers: Kunle, Liv, Nopparut & Minke

This exhibition piece aimed for the viewer to explore how sound, in this case, in the form of music could be understood through a positivist lens. We aimed to document the relations between sounds and colors and visuals and transform them into measurable phenomena. This experiment tried to show how if you give the same conditions to each participant, you can compare and analyze the human experience of sound into something that can be seen, recorded and compared. 

The main question asked in this mini experiment is: Can sound be measured through visuals and color? Viewers are asked to listen to selected musical pieces and translate what they hear into visuals/color choices. These choices can be documented, categorized, and analyzed to identify themes. The hypothesis is that certain songs will evoke consistent visual patterns and colors across individuals, creating a quantifiable and generalizable relationship between sound and visuals/color. By creating an environment that stays the same through different subjects having the songs play for the same amount of time and giving the same color option in the same spot before everyone begins, we tried narrowing down only two variables an independent variable being the music the participant hears and the dependent variable being the person who is doing the interpretation. 

The piece transforms music into an experiment. It invites visitors to witness the positivist pursuit of truth where meaning emerges not from interpretation, but from observation, repetition, and evidence. By observing and comparing these different visuals in a positivist study you could draw a conclusion if there is a relation between sounds and visual interpretation or not, coming to a definitive answer that is understood as objective truth.

Resource designers: Komang, Wiske and Luuk

“As this study measured post-interpretation intentions at the end of the whale watching trip, only short-term intention changes were addressed empirically.” (Jacobs & Harms 2014, 127)

Two key words in this quote - 'measured' and 'empirically' - that quite reflect some key aspects of positivism. Positivist ontology suggests that an objective reality exists independently of any human and their personal beliefs, feelings, etc. Epistemologically, positivism says that knowledge can be structured by describing the regularities and cause-effect patterns of the object observed using empirical, quantitative methods. This concept is mainly based on and uses the ideas of Realism, Empiricism, Casualty and Generalizability to establish objective knowledge. Methodologically, positivism argues that theories need to be observed in controlled, objective settings. The research processes rely on experimentation, focusing on quantitative and measurable aspects. 

Our goal was to embody this concept physically, visualizing the “wall” between the researcher and the subjects of the study. The researchers stand on chairs above the study of the research showing how they are separated. The bubbles represent the boundary between the two participants of the research, how the researchers are in a completely different and closed environment, in their own bubbles. This way, discourse or dialogue can be avoided so objective knowledge can be constructed without being influenced. At the same time, this boundary also means that the results of the research are mainly based on the researchers’ experience and interpretation and how they address the process/experiment.

Instructions: 2 “researchers” stand slightly above the “objects of the research”. Blow bubbles to represent the separation between the researchers and their objects of study.

Resource designers: Magor Szász-Bencsik, Nadia de Bell, Yusuke Mizusawa, Willemijn Smits

This video represents an exploration of the observer-subject relationship in the positivist approach. Positioning the object (the researcher) as an active agent of observation and the subject (the tourists) as the person being observed. This study aims to assess the tourist’s level of happiness during her time (3 months) at the WUR by measuring her smiles. Throughout this time, the object keeps on monitoring the subject’s behaviour (smiles), while also measuring the weather conditions to maintain controlled and replicable settings. As illustrated in the video, the object conducts the study independently from the subject, maintaining a distant observation position. Over time the subject becomes aware of the research and begins to change her behavior to disrupt the observations. For example, entering spaces where the object is not allowed to come (such as the women’s restroom), therefore the subject cannot be observed. Or even confronting the researcher. Eventually the object analyses the research results and excludes days with rainfall to improve the generalisability of the findings. This reflects the researchers effort to keep the research value-free, where all influences must be accounted for and eliminated (the days when it rained).

Access and download the resource: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FoQeJPEQgrfASt_5_tLyWL7FEYZA6ppL?usp=drive_link 

Resource designers: Harvin Chaggar, Jiayi Dong, Nadine Waalkens, Suze Westra

“The Square in the Mirror” is a visual representation of positivism. It features a mirror through which one can watch four live cams of similar views from different locations worldwide. The mirror exemplifies how an objective reality exists outside of us and how social reality forms an extension of the natural world. The four videos depict a similar view of a square, however, each video is recorded in a different location – Times Square in New York, the USA; Barbican Square in Kingston, Jamaica; Dam Square in Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Tbilisi Freedom Square in Tbilisi, Georgia – which symbolizes how reality is generalizable, how the conditions for observation can be replicated, and how empirical regularities can be observed. These empiical regularities are of great importance as, in the positivist approach, “the discovery of lawlike regularities offers the power to produce [...] explanations of a wide variety of phenomena” (Gorton, 2010, p. 7).

Those being observed (that is, the people and cars in the live cam video) are objectified and their feelings and motivations to be on the move are eliminated. These objects are quantifiable variables and can be examined in isolation to observe for causality – for example, one car pulls up when another car stops. Moreover, the videos’ perspective from above highlights the desire for value neutrality among researchers to be able to objectively “describe and explain the world” (Gorton, 2010, p. 5) from above.

Access and download this resource: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1OilB3TYdtnK91xm2bBAftEnwcz8xrOckGSSUu-Z-bDg/edit?usp=sharing 

References:

Gorton, W.A. (2010). The philosophy of social science. The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://iep.utm.edu/soc-sci/ 

Resource designers: Elke, Izzy & Gia

The positivist approach focuses on the use of scientific methods to identify empirical regularities that can enable generalisation and identification of causality. All hypotheses should be tested in controlled and replicable settings. 

We created a podcast called Positive Pathways in Tourism, inspired by an already executed research study by one of our team members on the difference between recommending international and domestic vacations. When reflecting on that study, we realised it had adopted a positivist approach. The episode concerns that study's  ontology, epistemology and methodology. 

The podcast episode dives into the study's methodology and results, noting the focus on observable, measurable phenomena, and the application of scientific methods. Since positivism values empirical evidence and replicability, the research discussed in the podcast episode serves as an ideal case study illustrating how hypotheses were tested, data was collected, and conclusions were drawn in a controlled, methodologically sound manner, generating practical insights into tourism behaviour.

Access the podcast episode: https://open.spotify.com/show/5o7j3cKXtrEUMbr8uQWlOR 

Resource designers: Daniëlle Schuijt, Tim ten Brinke, Reyhane Sadeghazde & Ayla Brouwers

We selected the circular diagram to represent positivism because it provides a clear, structured illustration of its key components, making it easier to understand and analyse. The diagram offers a simple explanation of the basic characteristics and few examples of how positivism can be applied.

Divided into six pieces, each piece represents different aspects of positivism. Causality refers to the relationships of cause and effect in the real world and how these connections can lead to significant impacts such as the butterfly effect or patterns that when discovered and observed, can predict future behaviours and generate knowledge.

The scientific method is integral to positivism as it constitutes the means of obtaining valid and objective knowledge. It goes hand by hand with empiricism as both support the collection of evidence and measurable data - usually quantitative - through systematic observation. Empiricism is grounded in sensory experiences that one can have through the senses when observing an object in the world that surround us with vision, hearing etc creating hypothesis that need to be tested to produce valid knowledge. Furthermore, researchers involved in this approach must be objective in order to produce an accurate representation of reality free from personal values and biases that could alter the results. These characteristics are essential elements of methodology in positivism.

Subsequently, the positivist approach seeks to understand how the world operates by identifying patterns that can be applied in multiple contexts, aiming to predict future behaviours through the principle of generalisability. This is a principle that positivism is taking for granted and shapes the idea of reality (ontology) trying to discover new patterns and universal laws that prove the existence of this reality (epistemology) through empirical observation, scientific methods etc (methodology).

Finally, realism - as the name suggests - is a key element in depicting reality within positivism, representing an objective reality in a “raw” and “strict” way independent of human perceptions and lives where the world will continue to exist after us. Moreover, since humans are a part of this world, their behaviours are shaped similarly to those in the natural world, considering them an extension of it (ontology). The idea of an objective reality aspires to achieve objective knowledge through observation, experimentation and the formulation of hypotheses ultimately leading to objective means of acquiring knowledge to substantiate this objective reality.

Access and download this resource:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IgCn2xvO_MuZtJas5a_9ut3vc7UpHXev/view?usp=drive_link 

Resource designers: Age, Pinelopi & Viva

"The Brain in Motion" is an interactive live demonstration designed to illustrate the positivist approach through bodily-kinesthetic learning. Positivism, an approach focused on observable and measurable facts, emphasizes empirical data collection as the basis for understanding the world. This exhibit engages visitors in a hands-on experiment that directly reflects positivism’s reliance on measurable outcomes.

The Exercise: Visitors begin by taking part in a simple reaction time test, where a volunteer attempts to catch a falling ball of yarn. The distance where the ball yarn of is caught is recorded as a measurable fact. Next, participants engage in a short burst of physical activity, such as jumping jacks or running in place, for 30 seconds to activate their bodies. Afterward, they perform the reaction time test again. The results—whether the volunteer catches the ball of yarn more quickly or more slowly—are compared to the initial test, providing a clear, observable change that can be measured and analyzed.

Positivism values facts gathered through observation, experimentation and quantification.The demonstration focuses on quantifiable changes in reaction time. Participants experience how physical activity, an observable and measurable variable, influences their ability to perform a task. The improved or altered reaction times serve as the "data" that positivism relies upon for understanding cause and effect.  By directly participating in the activity, volunteers use their own bodies as tools to generate measurable outcomes. This kinesthetic engagement not only emphasizes the importance of movement in learning but also makes abstract scientific principles more tangible and comprehensible through physical action.

Access and download this resource: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Plfj7OxWvaD2pQPXZb0BUMvkRXtKXlxjAMY0AerPCeU/edit?usp=drive_link 

Resource designers: Manon Pasman & Anna de Moor