What is your Philosophical Paradigm in Educational Research? Reflections by Nelson Dordelly-Rosales

Deciding what is your paradigm is an effort depending of the type of research.

Let's review main concepts. You will find in this site a list of articles that will help to discuss the problem. Below I transcribe the answer that Wiki provides regarding the question:
What are the major differences between quantitative and
qualitative research?
Retrieved May 7th, 2009 from:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_major_differences_between_quantitative_and_qualitative_research

“QUALITATIVE: Concerned with meaning, rather than with measurement. The emphasis is on subjective understanding, communication, and empathy, rather than on prediction and control, and it is a tenet that there is no separate, unique, ‘real’ world. Qualitative methods vary, and are generally based on empirical research, and all qualitative researchers are positioned subjects. As such, the rigour of their research depends not only on the suitability of the methodology, the use of multiple methods, and the inclusion of verbatim quotations, but also on its credibility and transferability. For a checklist for evaluating qualitative research, see Baxter and Eyles, Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers 22. There is some discussion over the extent to which the researcher should intervene, and much awareness of the way in which any research process will affect the subjects of the investigation. See also L. Kong, Area 30.”(http://wiki.answers.com)

“QUANTITATIVE: A quantitative attribute is one that exists in a range of magnitudes, and can therefore be measured. Measurements of any particular quantitative property are expressed as a specific quantity, referred to as a unit, multiplied by a number. Examples of physical quantities are distance, mass, and time. Many attributes in the social sciences, including abilities and personality traits, are also studied as quantitative properties and principles.”(http://wiki.answers.com)

References
• Michell, J. (1993). The origins of the representational theory of measurement: Helmholtz, Hölder, and Russell. Studies in History and Philosophy of Science, Vol. 24 No. 2, 185-206.
• Nagel, E. (1932). Measurement. Erkenntnis, 2, 313-33, reprinted in A. Danato and S. Morgenbesser (Eds.), Philosophy of Sciences (pp. 121-140). New York: New American Library.
What are the major differences between quantitative and
qualitative research?
Retrieved May 7th, 2009 from http://wiki.answers.com