What is the difference between the positivist and constructivist orientations to social research?

What will be an ideal response?


Postpositivism is a philosophy of reality that is closely related to positivism. Postpositivists believe that there is an external, objective reality, but they are sensitive to the complexity of this reality and the limitations of the scientists who study it. The paradigm of constructivism extends interpretivist philosophy by emphasizing the importance of exploring how different stakeholders in a social setting construct their beliefs (Guba & Lincoln, 1989). It gives particular attention to the different goals of researchers and other participants in a research setting and seeks to develop a consensus among participants about how to understand the focus of inquiry.

Criminal Justice

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Answer the following statements true (T) or false (F)

Expert power may be undermined by the unwillingness of prisoners to acknowledge the competence of prison officers.

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Why is the criminal justice system in the United States so large and expensive?

What will be an ideal response?

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Before being placed into a live lineup, the police officer must give Miranda warnings to the suspect.

a. true b. false

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Reasonable force is force that a prudent and cautious person would use if exposed to similar circumstances

a. True b. False Indicate whether the statement is true or false

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