Exploring Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods: A Comprehensive Review in Educational Research
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There are several kinds of educational research with benefits and drawbacks. Examining the two main approaches in educational research, qualitative and quantitative, this research discusses their respective merits, drawbacks, and their appropriateness. Fundamentally interpretive, qualitative research is distinguished by a search for a depth of meaning and a strong dependence on the case study method, interviews and ethnographic techniques. It is strong for probing for contextual richness but could run across problems with poor generalizability, research bias, and time. In contrast, quantitative research is based on statistical analysis and emphasizes objectivity, making it suitable for generalization. It relies heavily on surveys, experiments, and standardized tests to collect data. However, quantitative methods may overlook the nuanced and subjective aspects of human behavior, failing to capture the complexities of educational events. The paper also looks at the mixed methodological combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches to grasp educational issues fully. Finally, the consequences of method selection, its effect on the results, and suggestions for future projects are discussed for educational researchers.
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