Qualitative Paradigm
The Qualitative Paradigm The design of a research study begins with the selection of a topic and a paradigm. A paradigm is essentially a worldview, a whole framework of beliefs, values and methods within which research takes place. It is this world view within which researchers work.
According to Cresswell (1994) "A qualitative study is defined as an inquiry process of understanding a social or human problem, based on building a complex, holistic picture, formed with words, reporting detailed views of informants, and conducted in a natural setting. Alternatively a quantitative study, consistent with the quantitative paradigm, is an inquiry into a social or human problem, based on testing a theory composed of variables, measured with numbers, and analyzed with statistical procedures, in order to determine whether the predictive generalizations of the theory hold true."
The paradigm framework is made up of:
P Philosophy
O Ontology
E Epistemology
M Methodology
(Source: University of Sheffield) A summary of the scientific paradigm (Quantitative) might be:
P Scientific materialism
O Laws of nature
E Measurable and observable ‘proof’
M Experiment, large scale data collection, quantitative analysis A summary of the Humanistic/Post Modern paradigm might be summarized as:
P Homocentric reality as a social construct, contextual verities
O The nature of the psyche, of perception, creativity, intelligence
E self verified evidence, grounded theory, recorded testimony
M Phenomenology, ethnography, depth interviews
Key Distinctions between Qualitative and Quantitative Research (1) Words and numbers
Qualitative research places emphasis on understanding through looking closely at people's words, actions and records. The traditional or quantitative approach to research looks past these words, actions and records to their mathematical significance. The traditional approach to research (quantifies) the results of these observations.
In contrast
According to Cresswell (1994) "A qualitative study is defined as an inquiry process of understanding a social or human problem, based on building a complex, holistic picture, formed with words, reporting detailed views of informants, and conducted in a natural setting. Alternatively a quantitative study, consistent with the quantitative paradigm, is an inquiry into a social or human problem, based on testing a theory composed of variables, measured with numbers, and analyzed with statistical procedures, in order to determine whether the predictive generalizations of the theory hold true."
The paradigm framework is made up of:
P Philosophy
O Ontology
E Epistemology
M Methodology
(Source: University of Sheffield) A summary of the scientific paradigm (Quantitative) might be:
P Scientific materialism
O Laws of nature
E Measurable and observable ‘proof’
M Experiment, large scale data collection, quantitative analysis A summary of the Humanistic/Post Modern paradigm might be summarized as:
P Homocentric reality as a social construct, contextual verities
O The nature of the psyche, of perception, creativity, intelligence
E self verified evidence, grounded theory, recorded testimony
M Phenomenology, ethnography, depth interviews
Key Distinctions between Qualitative and Quantitative Research (1) Words and numbers
Qualitative research places emphasis on understanding through looking closely at people's words, actions and records. The traditional or quantitative approach to research looks past these words, actions and records to their mathematical significance. The traditional approach to research (quantifies) the results of these observations.
In contrast