What is a primary focus of positivist researchers in sociology?

Positivist researchers in sociology primarily focus on establishing cause-and-effect relationships. This approach is grounded in the belief that social phenomena can be studied in the same way as natural sciences, emphasizing empirical evidence and observable data. Positivism seeks to identify patterns and regularities within social behavior, often employing quantitative research methods, such as experiments and surveys, to uncover statistical relations and general laws governing social phenomena.

By prioritizing measurable variables and objective analysis, positivist researchers aim to derive conclusions that can be generalized across larger populations. This focus on causality distinguishes positivism from qualitative approaches that center on understanding subjective experiences, cultural contexts, or the intricate nature of social interactions, which are more aligned with interpretivist perspectives in sociology.