By Melinda Rizka Putria (1232010109)
5th Semester Student/D Department of Islamic Education Management, Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training, Bachelor's Degree Program, Sunan Gunung Djati State Islamic University, Bandung
Global developments in educational research show a shift from mere data collection to the use of complex methodologies. The internationalization of research requires mastery of mixed methods, big data, and artificial intelligence. However, in Indonesia, there is still a low level of research methodology literacy among both students and educators. Many studies are only simple descriptive in nature without a strong theoretical basis. There is a gap between understanding technical methods and methodology as a philosophical and strategic framework. This article aims to explain the foundations of research methodology in educational management so that students are able to choose the right approach and produce more meaningful and relevant research.Â
First: The research paradigm is an important foundation in distinguishing between quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative research is positivistic, viewing reality as objective, fixed, and measurable. This approach emphasizes validity, generalization, and cause-and-effect relationships that are tested through statistical analysis. In contrast, qualitative research is based on constructivism, viewing reality as subjective, complex, and shaped through social interaction. The focus is on a deep understanding of the meaning, context, and experiences of participants. The differences between the two are evident in ontology, epistemology, and methodology. Quantitative research is deductive, structured, and number-based, while qualitative research is inductive, flexible, and narrative. In educational management, the quantitative paradigm measures policy effectiveness, qualitative research understands social dynamics, while mixed methods combine the strengths of both.
 Second: Quantitative and qualitative research have different characteristics that influence the formulation of problems, data, instruments, and analysis. Quantitative research departs from clear theories and hypotheses, while qualitative research is more flexible, exploring meaning, and can evolve throughout the research process. Quantitative data consists of numbers collected through surveys, tests, or experiments, while qualitative data uses interviews, observations, and narrative documents. Quantitative instruments consist of standardized questionnaires with tested validity and reliability, while qualitative instruments use the researcher as the main instrument with triangulation for validation. Quantitative analysis uses statistics, while qualitative analysis involves coding, categorization, and finding deep themes of meaning.
 Third: Every research approach has its strengths and limitations. Quantitative research excels in objectivity, measurability, and the ability to produce broad generalizations. Standardized instruments enable accurate hypothesis testing, making it relevant for evaluating policies, performance, and learning outcomes. However, quantitative research also has limitations because it is reductive, rigid, and less capable of capturing social context and deeper meaning. In contrast, qualitative research is strong in exploring meaning, understanding experiences, and capturing the complexity of social phenomena. Through interviews, observations, and narratives, qualitative research provides a rich holistic picture. However, qualitative research tends to be subjective, difficult to generalize, time-consuming, and prone to researcher bias.
 Fourth: The implications of the research paradigm are evident in educational management. Quantitative research is highly relevant for evaluating the effectiveness of programs, policies, and learning outcomes using objective data and standardized instruments. Meanwhile, qualitative research is more effective in school case studies, as it can explore organizational culture, leadership, and social dynamics through interviews and observations. For complex issues, the mixed methods approach combines the strengths of quantitative and qualitative research, producing comprehensive, valid, and contextual findings. In preparing research proposals, students need to adjust the methods to the objectives, whether quantitative, qualitative, or a combination of both.Â
Global developments demand educational research that is not only technical but also based on strong methodology. Analysis of the differences in paradigms, characteristics, advantages, and implications of research shows the importance of a comprehensive understanding of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. Quantitative methods provide objectivity and generalization, qualitative methods explore deeper meanings, while a combination of both provides a complete understanding. In the Indonesian context, low research methodology literacy is a major challenge, so students need to master both the philosophical framework and technical skills. Thus, research in the field of educational management is expected to be more meaningful, relevant, and able to respond to the complexity of global challenges.
This article is a review of Part 4 (Differences between Qualitative and Quantitative Research) from the teaching materials for the Research Methods in Management course, taught by Prof. Dr. H. A Rusdiana, M.M. (https://digilib.uinsgd.ac.id/id/eprint/121673)
