Research Methods Cannot Be Value Free
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t2088Abstract
In research, quantitative and qualitative methods are both useful and both serve their different purpose to each researcher, each operating within different assumptions. Quantitative just like qualitative research methods in educational research have brought about a number of debates. Some contending researchers seek to prove the underlying factor of whether or not research methods, be it quantitative or qualitative, can actually be value-free. In order for us to make sense of this complex world, we must as researchers have some underlining concept of some phenomena. If there isn’t, then how can I make sense of the world? The truth of the matter is we can only know facts about reality and its existence through theories which we ourselves construct. It is my belief that these theories in and of themselves constitute values which impact on our research. So then to make sense of the research, we must clearly understand that the researcher affects the research process and thus the researcher and the research process are interdependent.
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