Introduction

This discussion is based on the distinction between qualitative and quantitative research
paradigm/approach. According to Ashley Crossman, Quantitative research is a type of social
science research that collects and works with non-numerical data and that seeks to interpret
meaning from these data that help to understand social life through the study of targeted
populations or places. While qualitative research can be define as the process of collecting
and analyzing numerical data. It can be used to find patterns and averages, make predictions,
test causal relationships, and generalize results to wider populations (Bhandari, 2020). The
two research approach are different from each other in terms of how data are collected, which
data to be collected and what type of data are to be collected and processed. In this brief
discussion we will emphasize on the differences (distinguish) between these two research
paradigm and the key significant areas of these two research paradigm/approach.
Quantitative research paradigm is a social science understanding that provide information
based on observation and not numerical. It emphasize on the understanding on social issues
such as the household income, education level, occupation etc.…. from these data are
collected and processed to give out information based on the issues, while as for qualitative
(science) research paradigm is a scientific approach on data collection. In this approach, data
are collected and quantified to produce information. It established statically significant about
issues. The main purpose of qualitative research is to understand social life, as for
quantitative research main purpose is to explain social life.
Firstly, we have to understand the purpose of qualitative research and quantitative research
and then how it is carried out. Quantitative research explains social life, it follows a process
of testing hypotheses or specific research questions, while qualitative research is carried out
to understand social life, it discovers ideas, used in exploratory research with general research
objectives. The Quantitative research is based on experimental and non-experimental, while
qualitative is based phenomenology, case study, ethnography, historical and grounded theory.
To exercise a quantitative research by doing experiment and non-experiment on hypotheses
or specific research questions and come up with a solution for findings, firstly, the process is
carried out, by identifying the research problem, secondly prepare the research questions,
than review the existing literature on the research problem and questions, to ensure there is no
duplication, than finally, develop a research plan, which includes, sampling and the methods
on how to collect the data by conducting data analysis and to see the recommendation, by
these we can arrived to conclusion. For qualitative research to be exercise, firstly we have to
plan and decide on the questions you want to study, secondly, do a literature review, thirdly,
you have to consider the sampling size, fourthly, you choose the qualitative research
methodology, and finally you collect data and analyze your information and then you write
your research.
By the process or exercising the steps of the qualitative and quantitative research paradigms,
we can distinguished the main characteristics and define each steps of the two research
methods (qualitative and quantitative research)
Firstly, we have to look at the purpose of why it is carried out? The main answer to this
question is qualitative research is carried for the purpose or in conscience with science related
issues, and is based on the assumption of deep understanding of social life and how social life

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works, while in the quantitative research, research are carried out for the purpose or
conscience with social science related events, and is based on generating knowledge and
create understanding about social world (to explain social life).
When answering the above question, we knew that, both research questions are carried out
base on certain events. Hence, now we will look at the key main differences that distinguish
qualitative and quantitative research approach through the framework that guide how
qualitative and quantitative research is carried out and conducted based on their philosophies
on the world assumptions about its nature of knowledge
The table1. Highlights is the alteration of qualitative and quantitative research
paradigm (Mehrad, Tahriri, 2019)
Qualitative research Quantitative research

Reality is definite by the contributors Defines by the truth

Holistic viewpoint Ideas reduced to statistics

Purpose is hypothesis generation Determination is hypothesis confirmation
Dynamic research design Fixed research design
Statistical manipulation required Statistical testing not obligatory

Table 2. The main significant areas of qualitative and quantitative research

paradigm/approach (Mehrad, Tahriri, 2019)
Qualitative approach Quantitative approach

More generalized Less generalized

Structure/holistic
Hypothesis generated
Concept social reality cultural meaning
Attention to communicating process,
events
Authenticity is important values are
present and explicit
Theory and data are bonded
Situational constrained
Few cases subjected thematic analysis
Researcher is involved
Structure/particularistic
Observation and interviews (hypothesis is
tested)
Measure impartial facts
Emphasis on variables
Reliability is important value free
Theory and data are distinct
Independent of setting
Many cases, subjected statistical analysis
Researcher is detached

The main significant of qualitative and quantitative research paradigm as seen in the table
Emphasize on the main points that distinguished both qualitative and quantitative research
from each other. For instant qualitative research is more generalized, because in qualitative
research approach, there is use of more intensive and extensive ways and methods to collect
data and do data analysis like in depth interviews, questionnaires, long filed research which
takes more time with many field notes and interpretative documents study, while in terms of
quantitative research is less generalized, because it is focused only more on the meaning and

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the pattern of the relationship, including type of phenomena and entities and doesn’t involved
mathematical model to evaluate and gain its information. Hence, qualitative is based mainly
on Concept social reality cultural meaning, so it is more generalized, for quantitative is based
only on measuring imperial fact, so it is less generalized.
Mostly, in qualitative research approach, research are carried out in a constrained setting,
meaning research are control that limits or restrict someone to intervene in the research, as
for quantitative research approach is independent type of setting, meaning it is independently
carried out and not constraint and control.
When doing research, researcher are more involved in qualitative, rather than in quantitative
research, were researcher are detached meaning more separated or disconnect. Hence, you
will see that, researcher are more involved In qualitative approach, where methods are used
by researcher are holistic (structures), based on philosophy of science and is considered more
important in qualitative research, rather than statistics, such the phenomenology and
hermeneutic are some examples of the methods used by researcher in qualitative research, has
for quantitative research is based pluralistic views, more only on study of a particular
situation, events or phenomenon etc.…. and the methods is used to study the real life
situations.
When doing a research or study, the two research methods are used to collect information and
data through various methods and testing’s. This testing’s are done base on methods used, for
instant in quantitative research, observations and interviews are carried out and random
hypothesis are tested, as for qualitative research the hypothesis are generated through the
research. Qualitative research there is outline mainly drawn that must be related between the
data collect and the theory, so that the data or the information must be related, so that the
information can be proven, has for quantitative research approach, theory and data are
distinct meaning, researcher don’t need the data to prove the theory.
When concluding the findings of the research, quantitative research approach typically based
on doing adjustment to the findings (research interpretation), while has for qualitative
research approach, research analysis and interpretation are done and the data or information
are presented or represented (representation).

Conclusion
Two research paradigm/approach, qualitative research also known as science and
quantitative research also known as social science, have characteristics that distinguish one
from another. Although, there are few similarities between both. The process, the setting and
the steps, on how the data or information are processed, analysis and presented have different
methods and processes that distinguished each one from another. Both research also
emphasized differently on the views on how, why, which and what research purpose should
be carries out that explain social life (qualitative research) or allow us to understand social
life (quantitative research) and the environment around us.

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