What belief does post-positivism emphasize?

Post-positivism emphasizes the verification of theories through evidence, which signifies a commitment to the idea that knowledge can be obtained and validated through empirical observation and critical testing. This perspective acknowledges that while it is impossible to know anything with absolute certainty, scientific inquiry is valuable and can lead to an accumulation of knowledge that is closer to the truth.

In post-positivist thinking, theories and hypotheses should be rigorously tested against empirical data, with the understanding that new evidence may lead to revisions or refutations of existing theories. This approach promotes a more nuanced view of reality where knowledge is tentative and subject to revision, acknowledging that our understanding can evolve over time based on new findings.

The emphasis on evidence-based verification helps distinguish post-positivism from views that either reject empirical observation or assert that objective truth exists without the need for verification through data. This makes the belief in the verification of theories through evidence a core tenet of post-positivism, demonstrating a balanced, critical stance toward scientific inquiry.