Examining the Differences Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Research is an important means of understanding the reality of educationscientifically. In educational management, quantitative and qualitative researchare two main approaches with different assumptions, methods, and results. Quantitative research is based on the paradigms of objectivity, generalization, and causality, while qualitative research emphasizes the construction of meaning and the experiences ofsubjects. This paper discusses the differences in paradigms, characteristics, and implications for educational management research.

First, the quantitative research paradigm is built on three main assumptions: objectivity, generalization, and causality. Objectivity means that data is measured neutrally without being influenced by the researcher,generalization allows research results to be applied to a wider population, and causality focuses on the cause-and-effect relationship between variables. Conversely, qualitative research is based on five fundamental assumptions: ontological (social reality is constructive), epistemological (knowledge is constructed through meaning), axiological (values are an important part of research), rhetorical (narrative-descriptive style), and methodological (researchers as the main instrument with an inductive approach). This paradigm provides direction for how researchers view problems, ask questions, and interpret data.

Second, the characteristics of the two differ from the early stages of research. Quantitative research formulates problems deductively and conclusively, while qualitative research tends to be inductive and exploratory. Quantitative data consists of numbers collected through surveys, tests, or experiments, while qualitative data relies on words, behaviors, and documents obtained through in-depth interviews, observations, or document analysis. Quantitative instruments consist of questionnaires or tests that have been tested for validity and reliability, while in qualitative research, the researcher is the main instrument. The validity of quantitative data is ensured through statistical testing, while qualitative data is ensured through triangulation, member checks, and audit trails. Quantitative analysis is statistical in nature, while qualitative analysis is conducted through data reduction, categorization, and theme searching.

Third, quantitative research excels because it is systematic, objective, and capable of testing theories with numerical data, but it often ignores context and meaning. Conversely, qualitative research excels at exploring meaning, understanding experiences, and capturing the complexity of phenomena, despite facing limitations in subjectivity and difficulties in generalization. In educational management research, quantitative methods are relevant for program evaluation, measuring policy effectiveness, and assessing numerical achievements. Qualitative methods are more appropriate for case studies, exploring leadership dynamics, and understanding school culture. A combination of both, known as mixed methods, allows for more comprehensive research by combining the strengths of each. This also helps students in preparing research proposals so that they can tailor the methods to the research problems and objectives.

Quantitative and qualitative paradigms have their own assumptions, characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. In the context of educational management, the two approaches are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary. Quantitative provides an objective picture based on numerical data, while qualitative enriches understanding with meaning and context. Therefore, a combination of the two is highly relevant for producing comprehensive, applicable, and useful research for educational decision-making.

This article is summarized from the teaching materials for the Management Research Methods Part 4 course: Differences between Qualitative and Quantitative Research. Lecturer: Prof. Dr. H. A. Rusdiana, M.M. https://digilib.uinsgd.ac.id/id/eprint/121673