What are the main philosophical assumptions of qualitative and quantitative research?

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This narrative review examined the philosophical bases of research methods in terms of: (1) ontology; (2) epistemology; (3) axiology; and (3) methodology. It explored the diversities and similarities between paradigms. Three search strategies were observed including: (1) data search for published research; (2) public engine and manual search; and (3) stakeholders input. Subthemes under ontological assumptions are: (1) singular vs. plural reality; (2) empirical vs. subjective reality; (3) scientific vs. sensuous reality; (4) when the singularity and plurality of reality converge; (5) definitive vs. subjective truth; (6) continuum versus polarity; (7) what really is real; (8) truth, reality and knowledge; and (9) seeing the truth and reality of an objective/subjective from a different perspective. Subthemes under axiological assumptions are: (1) fact-value divide/dichotomy; and (2) ethics. Subthemes under methodological assumptions are: (1) scientific versus naturalism: hard versus soft science; (2) convergence and divergence; (3) linearity is only in the books and not in practice; (4) hard or easy; (5) theory, frameworks and literature review; (6) non-statistical approaches in positivistic approaches; and (7) complementarity. The focus of the lens is guided by philosophical stances. Each paradigm seeks truth, reality and knowledge. Though quantitative inquiry claimed objectivity and qualitative inquiry claim subjectivity, both unconsciously observe the same processes. The division is a continuum that delights its deficiencies. It is when divergence converges. U V J o u r n a l o f Re s e a rc h 2 0 1 4 " Mathematical research does not use statistics, but the proofs involved could by no means be described as subjective and less firm for that; even research into mathematical statistics and probability does not make use of statistics to prove and produce useable results. " Nimal Ratnesar, 2005

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The role played by the built environment in determining the casualties and monetary costs of disasters emphasises the need of reducing its disaster vulnerabilities to achieve a disaster resilient built environment. The decision-making process in the built environment thus requires integration with disaster risk reduction. This integration further requires identifying women's specific needs and concerns related to disaster risk reduction in order to reduce women's higher disaster vulnerabilities.

Four philosophical foundations for social science research are compared: pragmatism, naturalism, post-positivism, and realism. The philosophies are foundational for the ontology and epistemology of social science research. Additionally, four methodologies for social science research are described: ethnography, case study, narrative, and phenomenology.

To philosophize we must communicate philosophically. Communication has been an integral part of philosophy. Consequently, we cannot study philosophy without communication; yet, to understand communication we must subject it to philosophical inquiry. The relevance of philosophy in media and communication research cannot be overemphasized. The increasing interdisciplinary nature of scientific inquiry into human behavior has made natural sciences interested in methodologies of the social science. Research philosophy in its nature is to help the researcher evaluate the paradigms of research and the matters of epistemology and ontology. It is commendable that these parameters in social research and in extension communication research support the researcher to describe the research perceptions, elaborate its beliefs, clarify its assumptions and define what reality is.

No research is conducted in a vacuum. Every research is shaped by the presuppositions of the researcher. These presuppositions are in turn a reflection of his/her philosophic underpinnings. This paper seeks to explore the significance and importance of qualitative research, especially in the context of pastoral counseling by first presenting a broad definition of qualitative research. Then determining how qualitative research is shaped by various paradigms. In the next section, five major qualitative approaches are presented with their relevance for pastoral counselling. And finally qualitative research and its implications for pastoral counseling is presented, to demonstrated how qualitative research can inform and guide pastoral counseling.

This narrative review examined the philosophical bases of research methods in terms of: (1) ontology; and (2) epistemology. Three search strategies were observed including: (1) data search for published research; (2) public engine and manual search; and (3) stakeholders input. Subthemes under ontologic assumptions are: (1) singular vs plural reality; (2) empirical vs subjective reality; (3) scientific vs sensuous reality; (4) when the singularity and plurality of reality converge; (5) definitive vs subjective truth; (6) continuum vs polarity; (7) what really is real; (8) truth, reality and knowledge; and (9) seeing the truth and reality of an objective/subjective from different perspective. The focus of the lens is guided by philosophical stances. Each paradigm seeks truth, reality and knowledge. Though quantitative claimed objectivity and qualitative claim subjectivity, both unconsciously observe the same processes. The division is a continuum that delights its deficiencies. This is when divergence converges.

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