Exploring the Foundations of Research Methodology in Educational Management

Exploring the Foundations of Research Methodology in Educational Management

Ani Nuraeni/Islamic Education Management Student, Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training, UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung V-D

Research methodology is a key pillar in academia, particularly in educational management. It is not simply a collection of techniques, but rather a framework that guides researchers in systematically designing, implementing, and analyzing research. In the educational context, methodology plays a crucial role not only as a prerequisite for meeting academic needs but also as a strategic basis for generating scientific recommendations that benefit both theory development and policy practice.

One of the main approaches to research is quantitative. Quantitative research is rooted in the positivistic paradigm, which emphasizes objectivity, measurement, and hypothesis testing. This paradigm views reality as a single entity that can be measured in a structured manner. Three basic assumptions underpin this approach: researcher objectivity, the generalizability of results, and the causal relationship between variables. Theory then generates hypotheses, which are then tested with valid and reliable instruments, enabling quantitative research to produce systematic, measurable, and replicable data.

The characteristics of quantitative research are clearly evident in its objectives: testing hypotheses, measuring variables, and explaining causal relationships. The process is carried out through structured designs such as experiments, surveys, or ex post facto research. The collected data is numerical and then analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The strengths of quantitative research lie in its objectivity, generalizability, and replicability. However, it does have limitations, particularly in capturing the meaning and social context often hidden behind numerical data.

In contrast to quantitative research, qualitative research is based on interpretive and constructivist paradigms. Its primary focus is not on numbers, but rather on the meaning, processes, and experiences of participants. Data collection is typically conducted through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis. Validity in this research emphasizes credibility and transferability. The advantages of a qualitative approach are the depth of analysis and contextual description, although its disadvantages include the difficulty of broad generalization.

Furthermore, the variety of research types enriches research methodology. Quantitative research can be descriptive, comparative, correlational, or experimental. Qualitative research includes ethnography, phenomenology, case studies, and grounded theory. Meanwhile, mixed-methods research offers an alternative, combining the advantages of both. In terms of analysis, quantitative research uses statistics, while qualitative research relies on coding, categorization, and thematic analysis.

Ultimately, research methodology demands a balanced understanding of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches. Quantitative approaches excel in objectivity and generalization, qualitative approaches excel in exploring deeper meaning, while mixed-methods approaches seek to combine the strengths of both. With a sound mastery of methodology, research in educational management can serve more than just an academic purpose: it becomes a strategic instrument for enriching knowledge and guiding educational policy.

This article is a review of Part 3 (FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATIONAL MANAGEMENT RESEARCH METHODOLOGY) of the teaching materials for the Management Research Methods course, lectured by Prof. Dr. H. A Rusdiana, M.M.