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| Research Paradigms |
Research
is always a planned, systematic and rigorous activity in order to make known whatever is unknown to
others and/or verify whatever is already known. It is action oriented. In other words, it can be defined as a systematic
investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish
facts and reach new conclusions.
As far as research
paradigm is concerned, it is a perspective about research held by a community of researchers. The perspective is based on a set of shared assumptions, concepts, values, and practices.
More simply, it is an approach to thinking about and doing research.
There are three major educational
research paradigms or approaches: quantitative research, qualitative research,
and mixed research.
The either-or position (that is, one
must use quantitative or qualitative research but not both) is called the incompatibility thesis.
Pure quantitative research relies on the collection of quantitative data
(that is numerical data) and follows the other characteristics of the
quantitative research paradigm.
Pure qualitative research relies on the collection of qualitative data (that is, non-numerical data such as words and pictures) and follows the other
characteristics of the qualitative research paradigm.
Mixed
research involves the mixing
of quantitative and qualitative research methods, approaches, or other paradigm
characteristics.
