The Basis of Distinction Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research in Social Science: <i>Reflection on Ontological, Epistemological and Methodological Perspectives</i>

Abstract

This article examines methodological issues associated with qualitative and quantitative research. In doing this, I briefly begin by outlining the philosophical and conceptual framework that informed the two research methodologies and discusses how ontological and epistemological issues were translated in to specific methodological strategies and influence researchers methodological decision. My purpose in writing this article is not to promote one methodology over the other rather to describe and reflect on the differences between the two research methodologies from Ontological, Epistemological and Methodological Perspectives and how they will be selected for research.

First-Hands’ Contribution in Business Inquiry Based on Qualitative Inquiry of Assessing Environmentalism Initiatives

“…It holds to investigate, interpret and describe reality by empowering people to express the meaning and experience to construct the knowledge instead of considering them as objects of research (Tuli, 2011). By doing so, richness and deep understanding of reality by first-hand experience through social interaction in a specific context can be obtained (Bryman, 2004;Neuman, 2006).…”

“…By doing so, richness and deep understanding of reality by first-hand experience through social interaction in a specific context can be obtained (Bryman, 2004;Neuman, 2006). In this regards, reliable knowledge exists independently of individuals, and it comes from direct observation or manipulation of the natural phenomenon (Neuman, 2006;Tuli, 2011). Given these considerations, qualitative research strategy is deemed to be an appropriate method to answer any explorative research questions.…”

“…Dash (2005) categories paradigms into two major clusters of positivism (in which the knowledge can be observe and measure) and the category of anti-positivism which is also known as interpretivist (in which the knowledge is produced by synthesis of meaning within interpretive approach). Creswell (2007, p. 16) has pointed out four clusters of philosophical assumption in qualitative inquiry consist of post-positivism, social constructivism, advocacy or participatory and pragmatism. Guba and Lincoln (1994) framed structure of subjective inquiry based on post-positivism approach where the ontology assumed as critical realism, meaning that reality is exist while imperfectly "due to flawed human intellectual mechanisms and the fundamentally intractable nature of phenomena" (Guba and Lincoln, 1994, p.110).…”

Instrumental Teacher Education and the Incoming Tide of Information Technology: A Contemporary Guitar Perspective.

“…Phenomenological studies unpack data through the perception and interpretation of the researcher and are sensitive to social and cultural meanings, and develop understandings from groups' points of view (Jonker & Pennink, 2010;Joseph, 2014). This study, founded in an ontological interpretivism (Goldkuhl, 2012;Tuli, 2011), by its nature stems from a subjective epistemology, which is not uncommon in social science research (Bourdieu, Chamboredon, & Passeron, 1991;Carlsson, Henningsson, Hrastinski, & Keller, 2011).…”

Pluripotent Dynamic Capabilities in the Internationalization of Firms: Focus on Learning, Innovating and Networking in SMEs from Sweden

“…As was noted previously, the researcher's view of epistemology is affected by the ontological and methodological approaches, which result from the researcher's epistemological persuasion (Tuli, 2011).…”