Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Ayat Mulaee ¹
• Nusratullah Nabeel Rahimi ²

¹ Associate Professor, Department of Law, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

² Ph.D. Candidate, Public Law, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

Introduction

The importance of research methodology is already highlighted, as the validity of knowledge depends on aligning the research design and methodology with dominant paradigms. Post-positivism is a contemporary philosophical approach that has developed in response to criticisms of positivism. It plays a significant role in research methodology, influencing both the research process and the output. As a theoretical legal inquiry, the present research employed a descriptive–analytical method to examine the applicability of post-positivism in research on public law. The research question is as follows: Can post-positivism be applied as a research approach in public law?

Literature Review

There is a lack of Persian-language publications on post-positivism as a research approach in public law. However, there are a few studies in the broader field of research. For example, the article “The Turn Towards Post-Positivism” (Tayeb, 2002) discusses post-positivism from the perspective of social sciences, addressing its challenges as well as the reactions it has generated. In “Introducing a New Framework for Epistemology of Future Studies,” Chaparak et al. (2019) explored positivism in the context of social sciences and examined future directions in epistemology. Its relevance to the present study lies in its forward-looking approach and the consideration of emerging developments in the field of knowledge. Moreover, Eftekhari’s “Positivist Methodology in Security Studies” (2003) addressed the criticisms of positivism and offered a detailed discussion of its classifications, which is fundamentally significant for the concern of the present research. As reflected in the existing literature, the current article presents a new perspective within Persian-speaking academia, as no prior research has addressed post-positivism in the context of public law.

Materials and Methods

As a theoretical legal study, this research employed a descriptive–analytical method to examine the applicability of post-positivism in research on public law.

Results and Discussion

The post-positivist approach enables researchers to move beyond linear thinking and embrace epistemological diversity as a core scientific principle. It also emphasizes the importance of interpretation and the practical application of theories. Research within the post-positivist paradigm can be both quantitative and qualitative. The qualitative post-positivist research aims to describe ongoing processes or the prevailing values within a society. Moreover, this type of research is to predict the reproduction of actions in individual interactions by examining temporal, cultural, or spatial conditions. As a developing discipline, public law critically needs to engage with issues at both foundational and philosophical levels. Without a thorough examination of its intellectual and methodological underpinnings, drawing reliable conclusions in empirical matters remains unlikely. Acknowledging this need, the current research aimed to explore the pre-methodological nature of inquiry and, in turn, assess the potential of post-positivism as a viable research approach in public law. Intellectual and philosophical schools of thought serve as research paradigms that shape a structured path toward scientific understanding. This is particularly important in the humanities for two key reasons. First, not all forms of knowledge possess scientific validity; only those examined through the lens of philosophical schools—where the researcher clearly situates themselves within a specific research paradigm—can be considered scientifically sound. Second, we are living in an era where many concepts in academic community lack rigorous scientific substance and often fall within the realm of semi-valid or even pseudo-science. Approaching public law through the perspective of philosophical schools offers a valuable criterion for distinguishing genuine scientific inquiry from pseudo-science. At the theoretical level, post-positivism emerges as a response to the criticisms directed at positivism. Proponents of post-positivist seek to develop an approach that not only addresses these critiques but also aligns with the real complexities of the contemporary world. As a research paradigm, post-positivism contributes to methodological discourse by making research methods more structured and meaningful.

Conclusion

According to the findings, post-positivism has applicability as a research approach in public law. Viewing public law through the lens of post-positivism allows localized and experiential perspectives on legal concepts to be accepted as fundamental principles. Furthermore, post-positivist framework enables public law scholars to rely on descriptive and historical research methods—as a means of contextual understanding—rather than solely on statistical techniques. In summary, post-positivism equips public law researchers to adapt to evolving circumstances and encourages them to move beyond an insular approach to concepts and realities.

Keywords

• Methodology
• Research Methods
• Positivism
• Post-Positivism
• Philosophy of Law
• Public Law

Main Subjects

• Public Law