Paradigm and Philosophical Bases of Qualitative Research

Compiled by Group 2:

Fanusah (1808103149)

Lindu Asmara (1808103166)

Muhammad Navis Zuhud (1808103152)

Siti Laelatun Nahdhiyah (1808103054)

Siti Nurohqomariyyah (1808103125)

INTRODUCTION

Qualitative research methods are often referred to as naturalistic research methods

because research is carried out in natural conditions (natural setting) is also called the
ethnographic method, because initially this method was widely used for research in the field of
cultural anthropology, also known as a qualitative method because of the data collected and its
analysis more qualitative in nature. Qualitative research is research that does not use
mathematical, statistical or computer models. The research process begins with compiling the
basic assumptions and rules of thought that will be used in the research. Qualitative research is
research in which researchers do not use numbers in collecting data and in providing
interpretations of the results. The basis of qualitative research is constructivism which assumes
that reality is plural, interactive and an exchange of social experiences interpreted by each
individual. Qualitative researchers believe that truth is dynamic and can be found only through
the study of people through their interactions with their social situations (Moleong, 2005).
Sugiyono (2005) stated that Qualitative research examines the perspectives of participants with
interactive and flexible strategies. Qualitative research is aimed at understanding social
phenomena from the participant's perspective.

According to Strauss and Corbin in Cresswell, J. (1998: 24), what is meant by qualitative
research is a type of research that results in discoveries that cannot be achieved (obtained) by
using statistical procedures or other means of quantification (measurement). In general,
qualitative research can be used for research on people's life, history, behavior, organizational
functionalization, social activities, and so on.

DISCUSSION
A. Definition of Paradigm

The true meaning of a research, in its most honest form is an attempt to unravel the truth
behind the curtains or to find whether what is believed to be true is in fact true, or in other words,
to prove the truth of something. According to Bogdan and Biklen, paradigm is a collection of
assumptions perceived by many individuals, concept or proposition that leads the way of
thinking (Mansur, 2017). Meanwhile, Kuhn believes that paradigm is the means to figure out
social reality that is constructed by certain modes of thought or modes of inquiry, which then
yield specific modes of knowing. Friedrichs also expresses his opinion that goes along the line
with the aforementioned idea of paradigm, he adds that paradigm is a fundamental view of a
scientific discipline that focuses on which subject matter that must be studied. Another opinion
by George Ritzer insists that paradigm is a fundamental view of scientists about what is the
subject matter that should be studied by one discipline of science (Niglas, 1999).

All research disciplines are carried out in a paradigm. Research paradigm understood as the
basic beliefs on which the theory will be built, which is fundamentally influence how researchers
perceive the world and define perspectives and forms understanding of how things are
interrelated (Ihwan Susila, 2015). In general, the research approach or often also called the
research paradigm dominant enough is the paradigm of quantitative research and qualitative
research. In terms of the terminology of experts seems to use different terms or names though
refers to the same thing. Conceptually, paradigms are basic assumptions scientists believe and
determine the way researchers views the phenomena that researchers examine. It can include a
code of ethics, as well as world views, which affect the way of thinking and behavior scientists
in practicing knowledge (Sulaiman, 2018). According to Ritzer, paradigms help formulate about
what and how the problem should be studied and must be answered (George Ritzer, 2009 in
Syaiful, 2010)

B. Paradigm of Qualitative Research

 Qualitative research is a model of research that is humanistic, in a sense that the primary
subject of the research undertaken is focused on human in a social scheme of things. In this case
where human beings are the subject of the research; they are perceived as individuals with
liberated mind and the ability to decide their choices in terms of fundamental culture and system
believed by each individual. Paradigm of qualitative research holds a certainty that in each and
every societal system there lies a relation that establishes order. This order occurs naturally, and
it’s the researcher’s duty to find that order (Mansur, 2017).

Based on that idea, qualitative research in its true nature is one systematic activity to find
a theory in a social reality, not to test a theory, or a hypothesis. Henceforth, the paradigm of
qualitative research epistemologically is in constant acknowledgement of the existence of
empirical fact on the field that can be made source of knowledge, but not using the existing
theory as a verification benchmark. In this qualitative research, the process of the research is
more important than the result. In this type of research, process becomes a part that must be
observed with utmost attention in which the researchers, as the ones in charge of the process,
must place themselves in the most objective position possible. That is an important aspect that
must conducted in order to ensure that the collected data are the ones that can be accounted for
(Mansur, 2017).

In essence, qualitative research places more emphasis on the use of the researcher's self
as an instrument. Lincoln and Guba suggest that in a qualitative approach researcher should use
themselves as instruments, because non-human instruments are difficult used flexibly to capture
the various realities and interactions that occur. Researcher must be able to reveal social
phenomena in the field by mobilizing all functions senses. Thus, researchers must be accepted by
informants and their environment in order to be able to reveal hidden data through spoken
language, body language, behavior as well as the expressions that develop in the world and
environment of the informants (Mohammad Mulyadi, 2011)

The study published in the SAGE Handbook for Qualitative Research by Egon Guba and
Yvonna Lincoln (2005) is the classification of the paradigms in social sciences, particularly with
regard to qualitative research. The author's proposals are updated with the first one from 1994 for
five fundamental research guidelines. Although everyone is strongly urged to read this
publication, here is just a short and succinct description. The authors analyzed the axiomatic
nature of paradigms referring to 3 basic levels of philosophy ethics, epistemology and
methodology. In that way they made the following distinction.

1. Positivism

Positivism refers to the realistic concept of social reality at the ontological level.
Therefore the person searching for laws, rules and repeated patterns of activity separated out of
the insignificant context assumes the existence of an objective, external world for the person
carrying out research. Positivism takes dualism and objectivism with reference to
epistemological assumptions. The attitude of an outer observer can be maintained and the
influence of values, opinions and subjective beliefs can thus be eliminated. The research is
designed to explain, predict and manage the studied social phenomena. Knowledge that develops
in a cumulative way is collected through hypotheses verification, facts and laws established. The
methodology consists of an experimental approach to verify the truth of the judges given, with
the use of quantitative methods.

2. Post positivism

A slightly weaker version of positivism is Post positivism. In terms of ontological

assumptions, it is marked by critical realism — recognizing the objective nature of reality while
assuming that it can only be understood in an imperfect and somewhat approximate way due to
the limitations of the human senses. In the field of epistemology, however, post positivists regard
the objective of their inquiries as prediction and control, using a modified version of
dualism/objectivism.

They find, above all, that the researcher's influence on the study phenomenon cannot be
completely eliminated, but it should be sought as far as possible to reduce. The "critical
tradition" of scientific research should also be considered as to how the research was carried out
by subjecting its results to a critical evaluation of the scientific community as precisely as
possible. Post positivism in the methodological layer assumes a critical pluralistic approach, that
being that, as the human mind has limits (critical realism), the sources and types of data must be
diversified, using different theories, methods and researchers. It is therefore important for the so-
called triangulation to be actively used. Therefore, qualitative methods can also be used in the
methodological layer despite the predominant quantitative approach.
3. Critical Theory

Critical theory also takes from natural sciences the acceptance of the objectivist world
view, but presents a position in epistemology which is definitely more subjectivist, closer to the
under study reality. Historical realism — as the authors call it, because reality is shaped by
social, political, cultural, economic, ethnic and other values. The aim of the research is to
explain, but also to sensitize the population about a certain ideological basis that will enable the
individual to free himself towards a "true, undistorted consciousness." Therefore, the reality of
beings and the existence of certain objective truth is assumed, while simultaneously it is
recognized that the socio-cultural basis of human actions plays an important role and that in
order to investigate this, people's experiences should be taken into account.

4. Constructivism

In the ontological layer, Constructivism shares a subjectivist attitude to reality, which

accepts relativity, which means that many realities are built and rebuilt locally. The existence of
different social worlds is assumed, which function mainly in human minds and are not common
external structures as objective. Nevertheless, some scholars stress that constructivism is
different and some of them work in the true 'camp.' It is sufficient to assume that some rebuilding
are collective in nature and assume the form of a consensus by virtue of shared meanings and
ways of understanding the phenomenon. Constructivists accept subjectivism on the level of
epistemological assumptions.

5. The Participatory Paradigm

The Participatory Paradigm or cooperation-based paradigm recognizes the subjective-

objective character of reality on the ontological level. As one of the authors of this approach
explains by John Heron (1996, p.11), reality is subjective because it is available only in the
manner in which it is presented by the human mind. It is objective at the same time, because, as
Heron puts it, a certain reality or cosmos is available to the human mind, that is to say, a specific
and harmonious whole.
 Burrell and Morgan (1979: 1) in Chariri (2009, p. 1) argue that social science can be
conceptualized with four assumptions related to ontology, epistemology, human nature and
methodology.

Ontology is an important assumption about the essence of the phenomena in research.

The basic question about ontology emphasizes whether the "reality" under study is objective or
what "Reality" is a cognitive product of the individual. The debate about ontology is therefore
distinguished between realism (which assumes that the social world exists independently of
individual appreciation) and nominalism (which assumes that the social world that lies outside
the individual's cognitive origin just names, concepts and labels used to construct reality).

Epistemology is the assumption about the foundation of science (grounds of knowledge)

about how a person begins to understand the world and communicate it as knowledge to others.
What forms of knowledge can be obtained? How can someone tell what is "right" and what is
"wrong"? What is nature Science? The basic question of epistemology emphasizes whether it is
possible to identify and communicate knowledge as something hard, real and tangible (so that
knowledge can be attained) or whether knowledge is more lenient, more subjective, based on
experiences and insights from a person's unique and important traits (so that knowledge is
something that must be personally experienced)

Human nature are assumptions about the relationship between humans and the
environment. The basic question of human nature emphasizes what human and experience is a
product of their environment, mechanically / deterministically responsive to situations
encountered in their external world, or whether humans can be seen as creators of their
environment. The debate about human nature is therefore distinguished between determinism
(assume that humans and their activities are determined by the situation or environment in which
they stay) and voluntarism (which considers humans autonomous and free willed).

Methodology, are the assumptions about how a person tries to investigate and get
"knowledge" about the social world. Basic questions about methodology emphasizes whether the
social world is harsh, real, objective reality - outside the individual or more mild, personal reality
residing within the individual. Next the scientist tried concentrate on seeking explanation and
understanding of what is unique / special about someone is compared to the general or universal
the way in which a person is creating, modifying, and interpreting the world in the way they find
it alone.

Axiology is the assumption that addresses the nature of ethical behavior. The term itself
was derived from the Greek word axios, meaning value. Meanwhile, the Merriam-Webster
(2013) dictionary gives the definition of the word “axiology” as a noun: “the study of the nature,
types, and criteria of values and of value judgments especially in ethics.” In the field of
philosophy, axiology is a term that has to do with ethics, aesthetics, and religion. While in
research discipline, axiology holds a different meaning. It refers to the things that the researcher
consider valuable and ethical. Basic beliefs about what is considered ethical are embedded in
research paradigms and guide the researcher’s decision making. The purpose of the inquiry needs
to be balanced with what the researcher values as well as other ethical considerations in the
conduct of research (Laura, 2013).

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, qualitative research is a model of research that is humanistic, in a sense
that the primary subject of the research undertaken is focused on human in a social scheme of
things. In this case where human beings are the subject of the research; they are perceived as
individuals with liberated mind and the ability to decide their choices in terms of fundamental
culture and system believed by each individual. According to Bogdan and Biklen, paradigm is a
collection of assumptions perceived by many individuals, concept or proposition that leads the
way of thinking.
Paradigm of qualitative research holds a certainty that in each and every societal system
there lies a relation that establishes order. This order occurs naturally, and it’s the researcher’s
duty to find that order. In the paradigm, there are 3 basic levels of philosophy ethics,
epistemology and methodology. The following distinction are positivism, post positivism,
critical theory, constructivism, and the participatory paradigm.
REFERENCES
Chariri, A. (2009). Landasan filsafat dan metode penelitian kualitatif.

Cresswell, J. 1998. Research Desig: Qualitative & Quantitative Approaches. Thousand Oaks,
CA: Sage Publications.

Guba, E. G., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2005). Paradigmatic Controversies, Contradictions, and Emerging
Confluences. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), The SAGE Handbook of
Qualitative Research (3rd ed., pp. 191–215). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

Killam, L. A. (2013). Research terminology simplified: Paradigms, axiology, ontology,

epistemology and methodology. Sudbury, ON: Author.

Mansur, A. (2017). Paradigma Penelitian Kualitatif dan Pendekatannya, March 7 th 2021.

https://pakarkomunikasi.com/paradigma-penelitian-kualitatif

Moleong, J. L. (2005). Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif, Bandung : Remaja Rosdakarya.

Niglas, K. (1999). Quantitative and Qualitative Inquiry in Educational Research: Is There A

Paradigmatic Difference Between Them?, Lahti, Finland. Tallinn Pedagogical University
Dept. of Math. & Comp. Science.

Sulaiman. (2018). Paradigma dalam Penelitian Hukum, Kanun Jurnal Ilmu Hukum,Vol.20, No.2

Sugiyono. (2005). Memahami penelitian kualitatif. Bandung: Alfabeta.

Syaiful, A. 2010. Pendekatan Kualitatif (Paradigma, Epistimologi, Teori dan Aplikasi).