Qualitative and Quantitative Research Paradigms in Business Research: A Philosophical Reflection

This paper attempts to discuss quantitative and qualitative research methodologies within the broad field of business research. In the light of looking for possible similarities and differences between the two approaches, the study gives an overview of the historical development of both methods, the paradigms and interpretative frameworks, discusses major advantages and limitations and look at the new trend that combines both quantitative and qualitative data in a single research project in an effort to reconcile both methods. The main intention of this paper is not to extend the current and long-lasting debate regarding qualitative versus quantitative research, rather to describe and reflect on the philosophical stance guiding the two research methodologies from ontological, epistemological and methodological perspectives. The essence of this study is to enable professionals with little or no previous experience of the various research methodologies and falling in to the trap that one research is better than the other, gain a basic understanding of qualitative and quantitative research. The study concludes that, in addition to quantitative and qualitative research, mixed research also offers an exciting mode of conducting business research. Keywords: Qualitative and Quantitative Methodologies, Business Research, Paradigms

[1]  A. Bryman,et al.  The debate about quantitative and qualitative research , 2012 .

[2]  S. Krauss.  Research Paradigms and Meaning Making: A Primer , 2005 .

[3]  R. Bogdan,et al.  Qualitative research for education : an introduction to theory and methods / oleh Robert C. Bogdan, Sari Knopp Biklen , 1992 .

[4]  Kenneth M. Zeichner,et al.  Dulling the Senses: Research in Teacher Education , 1979 .

[5]  John W. Creswell,et al.  Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches , 2010 .

[6]  W. Neuman,et al.  Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches , 2002 .

[7]  Russell K. Schutt,et al.  Research Methods in Education , 2011 .

[8]  N. Denzin,et al.  Handbook of Qualitative Research , 1994 .

[9]  T. Popkewitz,et al.  Paradigm and Ideology in Educational Research: The Social Functions of the Intellectual by Thomas S. Popkewitz (Book review) , 1985 .

[10]  N. Denzin,et al.  Introduction: The Discipline and Practice of Qualitative Research. , 2005 .

[11]  E. Guba,et al.  Paradigmatic Controversies, Contradictions, and Emerging Confluences. , 2005 .

[12]  D. Caulley.  Qualitative research for education: An introduction to theories and methods , 2007 .

[13]  David DeMatteo,et al.  Essentials of research design and methodology , 2005 .

[14]  H. Rubin,et al.  Qualitative Interviewing: The Art of Hearing Data , 1995 .

[15]  A. Parry.  Handbook of Qualitative Research , 2002 .

[16]  M. Crotty.  The Foundations of Social Research: Meaning and Perspective in the Research Process , 1998 .

[17]  Joseph A. Maxwell,et al.  Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach , 1996 .

[18]  Daniel J. Marcucci.  Louis Cohen, Lawrence Manion, & Keith Morrison (2011). Research methods in education (7a ed.). New York: Routledge. , 2011 .

[19]  A. Twycross.  Research design: qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches Research design: qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches Creswell John W Sage 320 £29 0761924426 0761924426 [Formula: see text]. , 2004, Nurse researcher.

[20]  E. Guba,et al.  Competing paradigms in qualitative research. , 1994 .

[21]  A. Bryman.  The debate about quantitative and qualitative research: A question of method or epistemology? , 1984 .

[22]  S. Schulze.  Views on the combination of quantitative and qualitative research approaches , 2003 .

[23]  A. Bryman.  Social Research Methods , 2001 .

[24]  Sharan B. Merriam,et al.  Qualitative research and case study applications in education , 1998 .

[25]  รศ.ดร.ธีรศักดิ์ อุ่นอารมย์เลิศ,et al.  Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Method Approaches , 2016 .

[26]  D. Silverman.  Qualitative research : theory, method and practice , 2004 .