human activity insisted retain objectivity rationalism approach causality ref name wacquant developed notion objective ' 'sui generis'' social facts serve unique empirical objects science sociology study ref name wacquant variety positivism remains dominant today termed ''instrumental positivism'' approach eschews epistemological metaphysical concerns nature social facts favour methodological clarity replicability reliability validity ref name gartell positivism less synonymous quantitative research resembles older positivism practice since
Social science Sociology