Positivists aver that scientific observation is the keystone of social scientific research. In the absence of objective observation and definition, verifiability of research findings is jeopardized. Social scientific theories and concepts can be studied meaningfully only through standardized measurement procedures. Therefore, it appears that social sciences cannot exist without objective measurement of variables. Such measurement provides the advantage of quantification of constructs and concepts, which in turn provides a basis for using statistical and mathematical tools of analysis. Standardized measures are important for scientific communication. Objectivity and quantification enhance communication within the scientific community. Subjective evaluations of findings are far more difficult to communicate as compared to results obtained through statistical analysis of standardized measures.

Economy of time, money and scientific resources, such as use of biomarkers in modern health research to measure factors like HIV status and anaemia, is another reason that justifies the use of standardized statistical procedures. This is especially true when one has to study a large sample. Large samples cannot be studied through qualitative methods. Qualitative methods of data-collection such as in-depth interviews and participant observation might prove to be unwieldy and cumbersome in dealing with a large number of participants. Even if the data is somehow collected from a large group at the expense of economy, it is rather difficult to handle the data without employing statistical procedures for a meaningful analysis.

SCOPE OF STATISTICAL METHODS

The above arguments bring this debate to a point where it is important to take note of the scope of quantitative statistical procedures. In population research quantitative methods are particularly useful in: