PARADIGMS

The Use of Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research

The Use of Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research

A paradigm labels the basic assumptions about a researcher's purpose, the character of the examined object (ontology), and the suitable methodology for examining the object. Therefore a paradigm gives the answer to the basic questions of the philosophy of science: (1) What is the purpose of research? and (2) By what means and methodologies can this purpose be achieved? Andreas Scherer suggested in 2003 that a paradigm describes the way a researcher gains explanations for social phenomena.

The term paradigm, as used in science and the social sciences, ...