Postpositivism in Health Professions Education Scholarship

An understanding of the diversity of perspectives within the research paradigms of health professions education (HPE) is essential for rigorous research design and more purposeful engagement with the contributions of others. In this article, the authors explicitly discuss the underlying assumptions, notions of good scholarship, and shortcomings of the postpositivism research paradigm. While postpositivism is likely one of the more familiar paradigms within HPE research, it is rarely formally or explicitly described. Drawing on key literature and contemporary examples, the authors describe the ontology, epistemology, methodologies, axiology, signs of rigor, and common critiques of postpositivism. A case study provides the focus for a practical illustration of how a postpositivist approach to education research could be applied. Suggestions for further reading are provided for those who are keen to delve deeper into the history and key tenants of the postpositivist stance.