Understanding The Fundation Of Educational Manangement Research Methodology In Its Development

Phenomena in the field of education show that social reality can be studied through two main approaches: quantitative, which emphasizes numbers and generalization, and qualitative, which focuses on meaning and context. The basic assumption is that quantitative research is rooted in the positivistic paradigm, emphasizing objectivity and measurement, while qualitative research is based on the interpretative and constructivist paradigms, which view social reality as multiple and constructed through interaction. The problem that arises is that research often relies on only one approach, making the results less comprehensive in understanding complex educational phenomena. The purpose of this study is to provide an understanding of the characteristics, procedures, and types of quantitative and qualitative research, while also highlighting the importance of choosing or combining both to produce research that is more objective, in-depth, and comprehensive.

First, quantitative research is often used to study relationships between variables, measure frequencies, or identify patterns in a given population. Quantitative research employs systematic procedures with main designs such as experiments, surveys, and ex post facto. Experiments test cause-and-effect relationships, surveys collect large amounts of data to identify patterns, while ex post facto examines variable relationships after events occur without manipulation. All designs emphasize objectivity, replication, and statistical analysis. Jacobs & Sorensen stress that quantitative procedures are structured to ensure objectivity and validity of results. However, quantitative research has limitations, such as less attention to context, limited depth in understanding social meaning, and dependence on instruments.

Second, the qualitative paradigm views social reality as multiple, contextual, and constructed through interaction. Meanwhile, the constructivist paradigm assumes that knowledge is socially built through individual or group perspectives. Researchers play an active role in interpreting participants' experiences, focusing not on universal laws but on in-depth understanding of phenomena in specific contexts. Qualitative research uses techniques such as in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysisThus, qualitative research emphasizes subjectivity, context, and researcher involvement in the research process.

Third, the main feature of quantitative research is the use of numerical data analyzed with statistics. Descriptive statistics are used to describe data, while inferential statistics test hypotheses and draw conclusions. With statistics, research results become more accurate and objective. In contrast, the main feature of qualitative researchis its focus on meaning and process rather than numbers or outcomes. Researchers explore participants' subjective experiences in depth, producing contextual, narrative, and exploratory descriptions to understand social reality more holistically.

Fourth, research types are distinguished based on paradigms and data analysis techniques. Quantitative research emphasizes measurement, hypothesis testing, and statistics, with forms such as: (a) Descriptive is describing phenomena as they are,(b) Comparative is comparing two or more groups,(c) Correlational is examining relationships between variables without manipulation,(d) Experimental is testing cause-and-effect through variable control. Meanwhile, qualitative research includes several main types: (a) Ethnography studying cultures or communities through participant observation,(b) Phenomenology exploring individuals' subjective experiences, (c) Case study examining a specific case in depth,(d) Grounded theorybuilding theory from empirical data.

From the explanation above, quantitative and qualitative research have distinct characteristics and methods but are complementary. Quantitative focuses on objectivity, measurement, and generalization through numerical data, while qualitative emphasizes meaning, context, and in-depth understanding. Choosing or combining both approaches is important to produce educational research that is more holistic, valid, and comprehensive.