The important of research methodology foundations in educational management

Taufiq eka Hidayat/educational management,Class VE,UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung

Global developments in educational research show a paradigm shift from mere data collection to the use of increasingly complex methodologies. This phenomenon is reinforced by the demands of the era of big data and artificial intelligence, which encourage the integration of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches. The assumption underlying this paper is that a deep understanding of research methodology---in terms of paradigm, design, and data analysis---is a strategic foundation for the development of educational management science and practice. The main issue/gap raised is the gap between the understanding of research methods (technical) and research methodology (philosophical-strategic). Therefore, the purpose of this material is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the foundations of research methodology in educational management, with a focus on the theoretical basis of quantitative research and the specific characteristics of quantitative and qualitative research.

First: Quantitative research is rooted in the positivist paradigm, which emphasizes objectivity, measurement, and theory verification. Through this approach, researchers seek to discover relationships between variables, test hypotheses, and produce valid generalizations. This theoretical foundation includes paradigms, basic assumptions, the relationship between theory, hypotheses, and variables, as well as the role of instruments and data measurement, which form the basis of quantitative research in the field of education.

Second: Quantitative research has characteristics that distinguish it from other approaches. "Its main purpose is to test hypotheses, measure variables, and explain cause-and-effect relationships. These characteristics are evident in structured research procedures, the use of numerical data and statistical analysis, and an awareness of its strengths and limitations. This section discusses the main aspects that shape the identity of quantitative research in scientific practice. Quantitative research has systematic procedures with several main designs, namely: experiments, surveys, and ex post facto. A distinctive feature of quantitative research is the analysis of numerical data processed through statistical techniques.

Third: Qualitative research is based on interpretive and constructivist paradigms that emphasize meaning, process, and in-depth understanding of social phenomena. These characteristics are reflected in naturalistic and interactive data collection techniques, as well as an emphasis on the validity and credibility of findings. This section outlines the main characteristics of qualitative research that distinguish it from quantitative research.

Fourth: Types of research are distinguished based on the paradigm and data analysis techniques used. Quantitative research emphasizes measurement, hypothesis testing, and statistics, while qualitative research focuses on meaning, process, and context. Quantitative research has several types according to its objectives and design. Creswell asserts that quantitative research can be descriptive, comparative, correlational, or experimental, depending on the purpose and design of the research. Qualitative research has various types, each emphasizing in-depth exploration. Patton divides the types of qualitative research into "ethnography, phenomenology, case studies, and grounded theory, which focus on a deep understanding of social phenomena.

Summary:
Research methodology in educational management is divided into two main approaches: quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative approach uses numerical data and statistics to test causes and effects, such as through surveys or experiments. Meanwhile, the qualitative approach focuses on in-depth understanding through interviews or observations to explore the meaning behind a phenomenon. These two approaches can be combined (mixed-methods) to obtain more complete and accurate results. The choice of method is tailored to the research objectives so that the results can answer educational issues appropriately and meaningfull.

This article is an excerpt from the teaching module for the Internship Course by Lecturer Prof. Dr. A. Rusdiana, M.M