Education Research

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Quantitative research methods have been the mainstay of educational research based on the belief that researchers were trying to obtain objective facts , and that educational research should follow the research methods used by natural science . Qualitative research methods have become increasingly used in an attempt to understand the human quality in education , but is criticized as this type of research is vastly affected by the values of the

researcher . Qualitative research is not considered to be a scientific method and results are unique to the situation , so may not be generalized to other settings . Neither quantitative , nor qualitative methods alone can produce adequate information in isolation . Mixed research methods provide a combination of quantitative methods and qualitative methods to provide a more complete answer and should be a mainstay in education , as education is based upon individuals from a variety of cultures and abilities

Quantitative and qualitative research approaches in education have been used in a variety of settings , based on the needs of the researcher The quantitative research approach is used based on the assumption that the researcher is trying to obtain facts , while the qualitative research approach acknowledges the researcher 's viewpoint and its impact on the end result . The quantitative research approach is used to identify trends or statistical truth in the research while the qualitative research approach is used when the researcher wants to make observations and research is based on his /her own research viewpoint (Hara , 1995

Quantitative research was initially used in education , because it is based on the same quantitative research that is used in natural science This was perceived as appropriate because researchers felt it was equally applicable to education , and because it would provide logical standards for educational research . The primary goal of quantitative research was to identify universal truths , separate from the viewpoint of the researcher . As in scientific research , this would yield objective information , in the form of facts , utilizing neutral specific language . Quantitative research attempts to separate human reality from the data , and therefore is separated from the researcher 's subjectivity . In quantitative research , data is presented in a numerical and objective way . The research goal of quantitative research is a discovery of universal value . Universal value means that the research value is universally applicable regardless of time , place culture and other factors (Hara , 1995

In contrast to quantitative research in education , qualitative research in education recognizes that the researcher 's subjectivity deeply affects the research . Qualitative research in education came into existence as a result of criticisms of quantitative research in education , and as an attempt to recognize that there is a human reality within the education system that must be addresses by research Qualitative research in education accepts the researcher 's viewpoint as a crucial factor of the research , as a means of addressing the human needs . The researcher uses their viewpoint and...