Educational paradigm

 Introduction

•Selects of the area

•Identifies and defines

•Reviews the literature

•States hypotheses

•Defines the objectives

•Finalizes the research plan

   Research MethodResearch 

methods are of utmost importance in a research process.ParadigmA paradigm provides a conceptual framework for seeing and making sense of thesocial world.Kuhn, 1970(Introduction of the term) "universally recognized scientific achievements that for a time provide model problems and solutions to a community of practitioners" "something like a paradigm is a prerequisite to perception itself".

    Burrell and Morgan (1979) "To be located in a particular paradigm is to view the worldin a particular wayPatton (1990) He terms it as "world view”

The Two Paradigms 

•Quantitative Paradigm

 •Qualitative Paradigm

  Measurement is defined as the assignment of numbers to objects and events according to logically accepted rules( Quantitative approach uses ‘measurement’ as the most precise and universally accepted method for assigning quantitative values( Quantitative research is termed the traditional, positivists, the experimental or empirical tradition by some of the authorities like Comte, Mill, Durkheim, Newton, etc

Quantitative Paradigm

• The measurement uses certain properties ofnumbers while observed phenomena. Theseproperties are described as under: The property of identity The property of order The property of additivity 2
  
•  Qualitative Research Qualitative approach is used in phenomenological inquiry for the verification of proposition, which takes into consideration the totality of phenomenon and does not attempt at analyzing it into quantifiable components. Qualitative research in contrast to quantitative approach is by some regarded as less ‘scientific’ and ‘softer.’ Detailed perspectives of the participants in the ‘naturalistic’ settings.
  

•  Characteristics Quantitative QualitativeApproach Scientific approach. Naturalistic approach. Logical positivism uses Phenomenological quantitative approach in inquiry uses qualitative the verification of approach to the theoretical propositions verification of proposition. Deductive( Top-down Inductive (bottom-up approach) approach) Researcher formulates The researcher generates and uses hypothesis and hypothesis and ground theory with data. the0ry from the data collected during field work.
  

Quantitative 

• QualitativeUnderstanding Based on logical positive Based on paradigm it test specific phenomenological hypothetical paradigm it understands generalization with the phenomenon in narrow angle lens context specific settings in a wide angle and deep angle lensAim Aims at descriptive Aims at description, explanation and exploration and discovery prediction of social using in depth knowledge phenomenonMethod Uses scientific method No sing method; uses a with “hard science” wide range of discrete tapping. strategies and methodsSubject Behavior of the subject Behavior of the subject is under study is assumed to assumed to be fluid, be regular and dynamic, situational, predictable, studied social, contextual, and under controlled personal; studied under condition natural condition
  
•  QuantitativeQualitativeObservation Nature of observation is Nature of observation is objective. subjective.Test items Closed-ended structured Open-ended questionnaires, tests, questionnaires are used as attitude scales, rating test items to obtain in- scales are used depth knowledge.Sampling Probability sampling Purposive sampling is a which depends on the dominant strategy. selection of random and The researcher uses small representative sampling samplesDistance There is much social The researcher is the distance between primary data collection researcher and the subject instrument.“ He has a direct contact with and gets close to people , situation and phenomenon under study.
  
•    Quantitative QualitativeFindings It aims at analysis of The analysis of qualitative representative and date require organizing validated quantitative raw data into logical data through meaningful categories sophisticated statistical and examining them in and software package holistic fashion for interpretation of data There is some Study of real world manipulation of the situation as they unfold variable under controlled naturally without any condition manipulationTime Takes little time to Takes a long deal of time conduct to conduct
  

    Major Types of ResearchesQuantitative Paradigm 

1. Descriptive survey research 

2. Correlation research

 3. Causal-comparative research

 4. Experimental research.

Qualitative Paradigm 

1. Phenomenology. 

2. Ethnography. 

3. Case studies.

 4. Grounded theory

     Merits and Demerits of Quantitative Paradigm

 Merits

 1. The research has statistical reliability 

2. Quantitative research involves quantifications based on numbers. 3. The results of the quantitative research can be generalized. 

4. The use of multivariate methods and analysis is helpful in measuring and controlling the variable or variables which intervene between independent and dependent variables.

   Demerits 

1. Quantitative research uses quantitative data. 

2. It is not always possible to formulate specific hypothetical generalizations. 

3. Involve researcher ‘bias.’ 

4. The primary disadvantage of quantitative research is that issues are measured if they are known prior to beginning of the study, especially in survey research. 5. The selection and use of large samples for drawing reliable statistics involves a lot of efforts in terms of money and man-power.

   Merits and Demerits of Qualitative Paradigm

 Merits

 1. Qualitative research is not a unitary approach. It utilizes a variety of alternative approaches to the traditional, positivistic research. 

2. It utilizes qualitative data which are detailed and descriptive.

 3. Qualitative research is most suitable in the study of human behavior which is fluid, dynamic, situational, social, contextual, and personal 

4. It does not start with advanced formulation of specific deductive hypothesis . 

5. Qualitative research utilizes flexible design and “avoids getting locked into rigid designs.

 6. The researcher has direct and close contact with the people, situation, and phenomenon under study. 

7. The final report of the qualitative research studies are detailed and interesting narrations about the phenomenon

15. Demerits

 1. Subjective bias is a constant threat to objective data gathering tools and analysis of techniques. 

2. The findings lack generalization because of the nature and size of the samples used for data collection.

 3. Qualitative research utilizes a variety of methodologies in studying a phenomenon in holistic perspective. In certain cases, it is difficult to focus on complex interdependencies of its parts and understand the meaning of the phenomenon as a whole.

 4. It is cost effective and takes a long deal of time.

        Criteria for SelectionCriteria Quantitative Qualitative Paradigm ParadigmResearcher’s worldview Researcher’s comfort with Researcher’s comfort with the ontological, the ontological, epistemological, epistemological, axiological, rhetorical, and axiological, rhetorical, and methodological methodological assumptions of the assumptions of the quantitative paradigm qualitative paradigmThinking and experience Technical writing skills, Literary writing skills,of the researcher. computer statistical skills, computer text analysis library skills. skills, and library skills.Researcher’s physiological Comfort with rules and Comfort with lack of rulesattributes guidelines for conducting and procedures for research, low tolerance for conducting research, high ambiguity, time for a study tolerance for ambiguity, of short duration. time for lengthy study.

       Criteria Quantitative Qualitative Paradigm ParadigmNature of the problem Previously studied by Exploratory research; other researchers so that variables unknown; body of literature exists; context important; may known variables; lack theory base for existing theories. study.Audience for study Individuals accustomed Individuals accustomed