Traits of a Positivist Thinker: If You See These in Yourself, You Should Do a Quantitative Study

 Traits of a Positivist Thinker

As humans, each person sees the world in a different way. Basically, that is why we sometimes agree but in most cases disagree. One professor of psychology described this as not just normal but a beautiful aspect of human society. After all, how boring would life be if we all agreed and acted the same? 

One thing is clear: we see the world the way we do because of our innate instincts or behaviours. In academic circles, behavioural scientists have also acknowledged the role of innate instincts and behaviours as key determinants of a person's ontological and epistemological positions. 

Some people make decisions solely based on their feelings and the reasons or meanings they attach to such decisions. We have other people whose choices are based on things they can count or quantify. Imagine two friends who are trying to decide whether they should keep a small business. One says, “We’ve built something meaningful. It still has potential.” The other says, “The numbers are not working. We are losing money.” Neither is foolish. They are just thinking in different ways.

The second person could be said to be a positivist thinker. 

Positivism is not just a research philosophy. It is a way of seeing the world. If you are a positivist thinker, you naturally believe that reality can be measured, tested, and proven. You trust what you can count on more than what you can feel. In this case, you are more inclined to conduct a quantitative study. Let’s look at some everyday traits that reveal this way of thinking.

1. You Trust Numbers More Than Stories

When people explain problems to you, you often ask, “But how many?” or “What is the percentage?” Stories may touch you, but they do not convince you.

In school, if someone says, “Many students are failing,” you want to know the actual statistics. In business, if someone says, “Customers are not happy,” you want to see ratings, surveys, or complaint counts.

Even in relationships, you may think like this. You may quietly ask yourself, “How many times does this person support me? How often do they show up? How much effort is really being put in?” You are not cold. You just believe that patterns and numbers tell the truth better than words.

2. You Like Clear Answers, Not “It Depends”

Some people are comfortable with grey areas. Positivist thinkers are not. You prefer yes or no. Pass or fail. Success or failure.

When someone explains something and keeps saying, “It depends,” you start to lose patience. You want a clear conclusion.

In exams, you like questions with one correct answer. In life, you like decisions with clear criteria. Even in friendships, you may think in terms of, “Is this helping me grow or not?”

This love for clarity is exactly why quantitative research feels natural to you. It gives firm answers, not stories.

3. You Judge Things by Results and Output

If you are a positivist thinker, you usually measure value by outcomes.

In a job, you ask, “How much am I paid? What am I learning? What is the next step?”
In a business, you ask, “Is it profitable or not?”
In a relationship, you may ask, “What am I giving? What am I getting?”

An interpretivist might stay in a low-benefit situation because of meaning, sacrifice, or emotional history. You, however, are more likely to say, “If it is not working, it is not working.”

To you, results matter more than intentions.

4. You Believe Facts Exist Whether People Like Them or Not

You often say things like, “The truth is the truth, even if it hurts.”

If a student fails, you believe they failed because of performance, not bad luck. If a project collapses, you believe it collapsed because something did not work, not because people did not “believe” enough.

You do not like to mix emotions with facts. For you, feelings may explain reactions, but they do not change reality.

Image Credit: Storyset

5. You Like Structure, Systems, and Rules

You love timetables, plans, steps, and frameworks. You feel uncomfortable in chaos.

You like knowing:

• Step 1, Step 2, Step 3

• Criteria for success

• How things are measured

Even in life, you may plan your week, your goals, and your finances carefully.

If you saw yourself in most of these traits, there is nothing wrong with you. In fact, it means you are naturally suited for quantitative research. You think like someone who measures, tests, compares, and concludes. Instead of fighting your nature, use it. Research works best when it matches the way you already think.

These traits should lead you in selecting a research topic. In so doing, you may also need to consider what your lecturers expect from you. Click here to read on how to select a research topic