quantitative and qualitative two differences approaches one common goals

Muhammad Fadillh Gibran, Mahasiswa Semester 5/D Jurusan MPI, Fakultas Tarbiyah dan Keguruan, Jenjang S1 UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung

Qualitative and quantitative research are two primary approaches in educational research. Both are rooted in different paradigms---positivist and constructivist---which influence research perspectives, methods, and objectives. In educational management, quantitative research emphasizes objective measurement to examine relationships between variables, while qualitative research explores deeper meaning through narrative. Understanding both is crucial for research to be both technical and practically relevant.

First, the research paradigm serves as the philosophical foundation that determines the direction of research. In quantitative research, reality is considered objective, fixed, and measurable; research aims to produce universal generalizations. In contrast, qualitative research is based on a constructivist paradigm that emphasizes reality as a social, dynamic, and subjective construction. This difference is reflected in ontology, epistemology, and methodology. Quantitative ontology is objective, while qualitative research is subjective; quantitative epistemology distances the researcher from the object, while qualitative research demands researcher involvement; quantitative methodology is deductive, while qualitative research is inductive. Understanding the paradigm helps researchers determine the most relevant methods for educational problems.

Second, the characteristics of quantitative and qualitative research differ significantly. Quantitative research uses numerical data, standardized instruments, and statistical analysis. Validity and reliability are the primary measures. In contrast, qualitative research uses descriptive data in the form of words, behavior, or documents, with the researcher as the primary instrument. Validity is achieved through triangulation and member checking. Quantitative analysis is deductive to test hypotheses, while qualitative analysis is inductive, seeking themes and meaning from the data. This difference shows that quantitative research excels in objectivity, while qualitative research is strong in understanding social context. In educational practice, the two can be combined for more comprehensive results.

Third, the strengths and limitations of each approach complement each other. Quantitative approaches excel at producing objective, measurable, and generalizable data, but are weak at capturing contextual meaning. Conversely, qualitative approaches excel at understanding social reality in depth, but are limited in generalization and prone to subjectivity. Consequently, educational management research cannot rely solely on a single approach. Mixed methods are a strategic solution because they combine quantitative strengths to test outcomes and qualitative strengths to understand processes. Thus, research results are more methodologically valid and practically relevant in addressing educational issues.

Natizah: The differences between qualitative and quantitative research are not merely methods, but rooted in different philosophical paradigms. Quantitative research emphasizes objectivity, generalization, and measurement, while qualitative research emphasizes meaning, subjectivity, and depth of analysis. In educational management, both are crucially relevant: quantitative research for evaluating policies and performance, and qualitative research for understanding social and cultural dynamics. By combining the two through mixed methods, research can produce comprehensive, objective, and contextual results. This methodological awareness will produce research that is not only academic but also applicable to the world of education.

This article is a review of part 4 (differences between qualitative and quantitative research) of the teaching materials for the Management Research Methods course taught by Prof. Dr. H. A. Rusdiana, M.M. 

https://digilib.uinsgd.ac.id/id/eprint/121673