THE DIALECTIC OF RIGOUR AND GENERALIZATION: A CONTENTIOUS DEBATE AMONG PROPONENTS OF QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PARADIGMS
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2019
Authors
RAHIM, G.A.
OFUANI, A.B.
OSHINOWO, B.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State.
Abstract
The philosophical paradigms underpinning quantitative and
qualitative research methods are founded on diverse traditions and
approaches of investigation. The two methodological approaches
having come from different paradigms are expected to come up with
diverse understandings and explanations that aligns solely with the
individual epistemology guiding each. The purpose of this paper is thus
to examine the dialectic of rigour and generalization of quantitative
and qualitative research methods and how this has led to the
contentious debate swirling in the literature. To achieve the
aforementioned objectives, a systematic and critical review of
literature was conducted and discussed. Our findings suggest that the
approaches of quantitative and qualitative research methods do not
lend credence to the assertion that one research approach is more
scientific than the other, instead, it afford a deeper understanding of
reality, uncover the way people make meaning about social world and
their experiences. Consequently, the supremacy argument between
quantitative and qualitative methods is unnecessary, unproductive
and is misguided. The paper therefore concluded that the dichotomy of
supremacy quarrel among the proponents of quantitative and
qualitative research has generated a growing debate for too long. We
hereby suggest that the argument that one research approach is more
rigorous and generalizable than the other should be disregarded while
faced with the task of picking an appropriate research method for a
study; instead, researchers should adopt methods that would foster a
deeper understanding and exhaustive account of the phenomena
under investigation and where necessary integrate the two
approaches to advance knowledge and business practices
Description
Keywords
Qualitative research, quantitative research, rigour, generalization, methods, reliability, validity.
Citation
Journal of Economics, Management and Social Sciences, Federal University, Wukari, Vol. 5(1).