Research paradigm is a frame of mind which describes how researchers view of the facts of social life and treatment research to the science or theory. Research paradigm also explains how researchers understand a problem, as well as the testing criteria as the basis for answering the question of research (Guba & Lincoln, 1988: 89-115). In general, the research paradigm are classified into two

groups: quantitative and qualitative research studies (Indiantoro & Supomo, 1999: 12-13).

Each of these paradigms or approaches have advantages and disadvantages as well, so as to determine the approach or paradigm that will be used in conducting the study depends on several things, among them: 1) if you want to do a more detailed study that emphasizes the critical details and using case studies, the approach should be used is the qualitative paradigm: if the research is conducted to obtain general conclusions and results of research based on empirical testing, then you should use the quantitative paradigm and 2) if the research is to answer the question with the object of wide applicability a lot of research, the quantitative paradigm is more appropriate, and if the study wanted to answer the question of deep and detailed research specific to one object only, then the naturalist approach to better use.

Research results will give a greater contribution if researchers can combine these two paradigms or approaches. Merger paradigm is known term triangulation. Merging the two approaches are expected to provide added value or synergy because essentially two separate paradigm has advantages. Merging the two approaches is expected to minimize the weaknesses found in both paradigms.

 

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