Paradigms,Axioms and Special Concepts of Quantitative and Qualitative Reaserch Theory

Fajryah Rizki, Undergraduate Student, UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung, MPI Study Program (Islamic Education Management), Class VE

The development of educational management research shows the use of various approaches which often confuse students and novice researchers. The main problem arises from limited understanding regarding the differences between quantitative and qualitative research, so that mistakes often occur in determining the appropriate method. This article was prepared to fill this gap by presenting a brief, coherent and applicable description. The hope is that readers will be able to understand the paradigms, characteristics, advantages and implications of the two research approaches more precisely.

First: The research paradigm is the basic framework that determines the researcher's perspective on reality, methods and research results. In educational management research, there are two main paradigms: positivistic/quantitative and naturalist/qualitative. The quantitative paradigm emphasizes objectivity, measurability, and generalization. In contrast, the qualitative paradigm is based on understanding meaning, processes and complex social contexts. Positivism assumes a single reality that can be measured, while constructivism sees reality as a plural social construction.

Second: Quantitative research is deductive, structured, and uses standard instruments such as questionnaires, tests, and standardized observations. Data in the form of numbers is analyzed using statistics, both descriptive and inferential. Research results can be generalized as long as the context is the same. Qualitative research is inductive, flexible, and develops throughout the process. Techniques include in-depth interviews, participant observation, case studies, and document analysis. Data in the form of narratives and descriptions were analyzed by reduction, categorization and theme discovery. Quantitative focuses on "how much influence", while qualitative focuses on "how meaning is formed.

Third: Quantitative advantages are objectivity, measurability, and generalizability. However, this approach is often considered to reduce social reality to numbers and is less sensitive to context. Qualitative is superior in understanding processes, interactions and values, producing rich and in-depth findings. The downside is that the results are difficult to generalize and are susceptible to being influenced by the researcher's subjectivity. Because of this, many researchers combine the two using mixed methods so that the results are more valid at the same time 

contextual.

Fourth: In educational management, quantitative research is useful for evaluating the effectiveness of policies, teacher performance, or the relationship between variables. Qualitative research is more suitable for examining school culture, leadership, and the dynamics of classroom interactions. With mixed methods, researchers can combine the advantages of both: quantitative provides objective data, while qualitative provides depth of meaning. The research results are also more applicable for the development of educational policies and practices.

Quantitative and qualitative research have different foundations and approaches, but both are equally important. By combining the two through mixed methods, educational management research will be more comprehensive, valid and useful for theory.

Quantitative and qualitative research have different foundations and approaches, but both are equally important. By combining the two through mixed methods, educational management research will be more comprehensive, valid and useful for theory

 *) This article is an excerpt from the teaching module five the Internship Course by Lecturer Prof. Dr. A. Rusdiana, M.M.(https://digilib.uinsgd.ac.id/id/eprint/121673)