Study of The Foundations of Educational Management Research Methodology

Study of the Foundations of Educational Management Research Methodology Nasywa Atsilahdi Aprilia/Student of PTK UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung Foreword This paper was written as part of a course assignment for Management Research Methods, based on lecture notes and summaries of course material. Global developments in educational research show a paradigm shift towards complex methodologies with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed- methods approaches that are relevant in the era of big data and AI. However, the current situation in Indonesia is characterized by low research methodology literacy, the dominance of descriptive research, and research that is still limited to academic requirements. Through this paper, it is hoped that a more comprehensive understanding of the theoretical foundations of quantitative research, the specific characteristics of quantitative research, the specific characteristics of qualitative research, and the types of research based on paradigms and data analysis will emerge. It is hoped that this paper will benefit both the author and student readers in selecting and applying methodologies appropriate to educational issues. 

First: The positivistic paradigm emphasizes objective, empirical, and measurable research with the assumption that reality is singular and can be observed systematically to produce universal laws. Quantitative research is based on three main assumptions: objectivity, generalization, and causality, which ensure that the research is neutral, the results are widely applicable, and the relationships between variables are clear. Theories give rise to hypotheses that are tested through measurable variables, making research scientific, systematic, and verifiable. Research instruments transform abstract concepts into measurable indicators, where validity and reliability ensure accurate data and valid research results. 

Second: Quantitative research has the main objectives of testing hypotheses, measuring variables objectively, and explaining the cause-and-effect relationships between phenomena. The research procedure is systematically arranged with experimental designs, surveys, and ex post facto to analyze the measurable relationships between variables. Data is analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to describe patterns and test hypotheses. This method excels in objectivity, generalization, and replication because the results can be retested. However, quantitative research has limitations because it is less capable of exploring meaning, understanding context, and explaining social complexity in depth. 

Third: Qualitative research based on interpretive and constructivist paradigms that view social reality as plural, contextual, and constructed through interaction. Researchers play an active role in interpreting meaning based on participants' experiences. The focus of this research is on meaning, process, and deep understanding, not just numbers or generalizations. Data is obtained through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis so that phenomena can be understood holistically. The validity of the research is measured through credibility, transferability, and triangulation, although it remains limited in terms of generalization. Its main strength lies in its deep understanding of the social context. 

Fourth: Quantitative research emphasizes the use of numerical data with four objectives: descriptive to describe phenomena, comparative to compare groups, correlational to examine variable relationships, and experimental to test cause and effect through control. Qualitative research focuses on meaning and context: ethnography examines culture, phenomenology understands the subjective experience of , case studies explore specific cases, and grounded theory builds theory from data. Mixed-methods combine the strengths of quantitative methods for generalization with qualitative methods for understanding meaning. Quantitative data analysis uses descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative analysis uses coding, categorization, and thematic analysis. 

Quantitative research emphasizes objectivity through variable measurement, hypothesis testing, and analysis of cause-and-effect relationships using statistics. In contrast, qualitative research focuses on understanding contextual meaning and in-depth experiences. In practice, research types are divided into quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods. Mixed-methods integrate the strengths of quantitative numerical analysis with the thematic depth of qualitative research, enabling research to produce a more comprehensive, thorough, and relevant understanding in addressing complex educational issues and social phenomena. 

This article is summarized from the Teaching Module for the Management Research Methods Part 3 course taught by Prof. Dr. HA Rusdiana, MM.