Analysis Of The Foundations Of Educational Management Research Methodology: The Pillars Of Quantative And Qualitative Theory

By Shalsa Bela Mutmainah Sadiah (1232010135), 5th Semester Student/D Department of Islamic Education Management, Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training, Bachelor's Degree Program, UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung

Research in educational management is one of the main instruments for improving the quality of educational institutions, formulating evidence-based policies, and understanding the dynamics of education scientifically. The selection of the appropriate methodology is an important factor because it determines the validity, credibility, and relevance of research findings. A strong research methodology foundation enables researchers to identify cause-and-effect relationships, understand the meaning of participants' experiences, and develop systematic educational development strategies. This essay will analyze the foundations of educational management research methodology through four main pillars: quantitative theory, characteristics of quantitative research, characteristics of qualitative research, and types of research and data analysis, to provide a comprehensive understanding of research approaches that can be applied practically.

Pillar 1: Quantitative research is rooted in the positivist paradigm, which emphasizes objectivity, measurement, and theory verification. This paradigm views research as a scientific process that is subject to objective, empirical, and measurable rules. Its basic assumptions are the search for objective truth, the ability to generalize findings, and the explanation of phenomena through cause-and-effect relationships. Theories, hypotheses, and variables form a logical framework that allows for empirical testing and scientific conclusions. Research instruments serve to convert abstract concepts into measurable indicators, while numerical measurement scales enable the systematic application of statistical analysis.

Pillar 2: The main objectives of quantitative research are to test hypotheses, measure variables objectively, and explain the cause-and-effect relationships between phenomena. The research procedure follows a systematic design, including experiments to test causality, surveys to collect data on a large scale, and ex post facto to analyze post-event relationships without manipulating variables. Quantitative data analysis uses descriptive and inferential statistics to describe data, test hypotheses, and draw generalizable conclusions. The advantages of quantitative research lie in its objectivity, generalizability, and replicability, but it is limited in understanding the context and deeper meaning of phenomena.

Pillar 3: Qualitative research based on interpretive and constructivist paradigms, which emphasize that social reality is subjective and constructed through social interaction. The main focus is on understanding the meaning experienced by participants, not just measurable symptoms. Data collection techniques include interviews, participant observation, and document analysis. Validity in qualitative research is called credibility, which is achieved through data triangulation, member checks, and deep researcher involvement. This approach is able to explore experiences, perceptions, and social contexts that cannot be captured by numerical data.

Pillar 4: Quantitative research types include descriptive, comparative, correlational, and experimental, with a focus on measurement and cause-and-effect relationships between variables. Meanwhile, qualitative research includes ethnography for cultural or community studies, phenomenology to understand individual subjective experiences, case studies for intensive analysis of specific cases, and grounded theory to develop theory from empirical data. The mixed-methods approach combines quantitative and qualitative methods, providing a holistic understanding, for example, assessing both academic achievement and student learning experiences. Quantitative data analysis uses statistics, while qualitative analysis relies on coding, categorization, and thematic analysis.

It can be concluded that a strong foundation for educational management research methodology includes theoretical pillars, quantitative characteristics, qualitative characteristics, and types of research along with data analysis. Quantitative research emphasizes objectivity, measurement, and cause-and-effect relationships, while qualitative research emphasizes meaning, context, and participant experience. Quantitative research types include descriptive, comparative, correlational, and experimental, while qualitative research includes ethnography, phenomenology, case studies, and grounded theory. The mixed-methods approach allows for a more holistic, valid, and credible understanding. By understanding and applying this foundation, educational management research can make a significant contribution to the development of educational theory and practice.

This article is a review of Part 2 of Research Studies in Educational Management from the teaching materials for the Educational Management Research Methods course taught by Prof. Dr. H.A. Rusdiana, M.M.

Sumber: Curiculum Vitae