Understanding Research Paradigms: A Contrast Between Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches
This article explores the fundamental differences between qualitative and quantitative research paradigms. Qualitative research is characterized as inductive, holistic, and subjective, aiming to understand actors' perspectives within a dynamic reality. It emphasizes discovery-oriented and explanatory approaches, aligning with an anthropological worldview. In contrast, quantitative research adopts a positivistic and hypothetico-deductive framework, focusing on objective outcomes and attempts to control variables to uncover static realities. This distinction is crucial for scholars to align methodologies with research goals effectively.
Understanding Research Paradigms: A Contrast Between Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches
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Presentation Transcript
Qualitative phenomenological inductive holistic subjective/insider centered process oriented anthropological worldview relative lack of control goal: understand actor's view dynamic reality assumed; "slice of life" discovery oriented explanatory Quantitative positivistic hypothetico/deductive particularistic objective/outsider centered outcome oriented natural science worldview attempt to control variables goal: find facts & causes static reality assumed; relative constancy in life verification oriented confirmatory Research
