A Study on the Differences Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research

By Raidah Huwaida (1232010134)
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

This paper was written as part of a course assignment for Management Research Methods, based on lecture notes and summaries of course material. In the world of education, research is key to understanding and improving learning processes and educational management. Developments in this field show that there are fundamental differences between quantitative and qualitative research that affect the results and relevance of research. The assumption is that choosing the right paradigm will determine the success of a study, but many students and educators still do not have a deep understanding of this philosophical aspect. The main problem is the low level of research methodology literacy in Indonesia. The purpose of this study is to describe the differences in paradigms, characteristics, and relevance of both in order to improve the quality of educational research at the national and regional levels.

First: The research paradigm is the philosophical foundation that determines the direction, approach, and results of a study. In the context of educational research, this paradigm is very important because it will influence how researchers view social phenomena, as well as the methods chosen to obtain data and interpret results. Choosing the right paradigm, whether quantitative, qualitative, or mixed, will ensure that the research conducted is philosophically and practically relevant and capable of making a meaningful contribution.

Second: Quantitative research is based on the assumption that social reality is objective and can be measured empirically through statistical data. This approach tends to be structured, deductive, and objective, with results that usually take the form of numbers, tables, or graphs that can be generalized. In contrast, qualitative research focuses more on a deep understanding of human meaning and experience, with an inductive and flexible approach. Data is collected through observation, interviews, and document analysis to obtain meaningful contextual insights.

Third: Although each has its own advantages, both also have limitations. Quantitative research tends to be less capable of capturing social context and deeper meaning, while qualitative research often faces challenges in the validity and generalization of results. In practice, these two approaches complement each other, especially in educational research that requires measurement and understanding of social dynamics. A mixed methods approach is often used to obtain a comprehensive and in-depth picture.

Fourth: In Indonesia, many students and educators still have limited mastery of research methodology, often conducting only descriptive research without understanding the theoretical basis and appropriate analysis techniques. In fact, a good understanding of the paradigms and characteristics of each approach will help design relevant and meaningful research. Therefore, it is important to improve methodological literacy so that educational research can develop systematically, strategically, and provide real benefits in the development of educational science and management practices.

The conclusion of this discussion is that the research paradigm is a very important philosophical basis in determining the direction, approach, and quality of research in the field of education. Quantitative and qualitative research have different characteristics and basic assumptions, but both complement each other to produce comprehensive and meaningful results. Mastery of methodology and understanding of this paradigm are crucial so that research is not merely procedural, but capable of providing relevant scientific and practical contributions. In Indonesia, improving methodological literacy is essential to advance the quality of educational research and support better scientific development.

This article is a review of Part 4 (Differences between Qualitative and Quantitative Research) from 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)

Sumber: CV Raidah Huwaida