European Journal of Business and Management www.iiste.org ISSN 2222-1905 (Paper) ISSN 2222-2839 (Online) Vol.7, No.3, 2015 217 Qualitative and Quantitative Research Paradigms in Business Research: A Philosophical Reflection Stephen Kwadwo Antwi 1* Kasim Hamza 2 1. School of Business, Tamale Polytechnic, P.O. Box 3 ER, Tamale, Ghana 2. School of Business, Tamale Polytechnic, P.O. Box 3 ER, Tamale, Ghana *stevekwadant@yahoo.ca Abstract This paper attempts to discuss quantitative and qualitative research methodologies within the broad field of business research. In the light of looking for possible similarities and differences between the two approaches, the study gives an overview of the historical development of both methods, the paradigms and interpretative frameworks, discusses major advantages and limitations and look at the new trend that combines both quantitative and qualitative data in a single research project in an effort to reconcile both methods. The main intention of this paper is not to extend the current and long-lasting debate regarding qualitative versus quantitative research, rather to describe and reflect on the philosophical stance guiding the two research methodologies from ontological, epistemological and methodological perspectives. The essence of this study is to enable professionals with little or no previous experience of the various research methodologies and falling in to the trap that one research is better than the other, gain a basic understanding of qualitative and quantitative research. The study concludes that, in addition to quantitative and qualitative research, mixed research also offers an exciting mode of conducting business research. Keywords: Qualitative and Quantitative Methodologies, Business Research, Paradigms 1.0 Introduction The research methodology that was traditionally used in social sciences for several decades was the quantitative methodology, which originated in the natural sciences such as biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and was concerned with investigating things which could be observed and measured in some way. Quantitative research was the generally accepted research paradigm in educational research until the early 1980s, when the “paradigm wars” between advocates of quantitative and qualitative research reached a new peak (Guba, 1990; Tashakkori and Teddlie, 1998). During the 1980s, many quantitative and qualitative researchers argued that their approach was superior. Some of these researchers were “purists,” in the sense that they argued that the two approaches could not be used together because of differences in the world views or philosophies associated with the two approaches. This article is not an exhaustive attempt to analyze and synthesise all aspects of distinction between qualitative and quantitative research methodology. However, it aims at highlighting their differences from ontological, epistemological and methodological perspectives. Thus, the study conceptualizes quantitative and qualitative meta-theoretical assumptions concerning the nature of the knowable or reality (ontology), views on truth and legitimate knowledge (epistemology), and how the inquirer finds out knowledge (methodology). A critical analysis and synthesis of previously published materials are employed, with the view of assisting and empowering business researchers to understand the true distinction between quantitative and qualitative paradigms. Bryman (2001: 106) suggests that ‘the distinction between qualitative and quantitative research perspective is really a technical matter whereby the choice between them is to do with their suitability in answering particular research questions’. Following this suggestion, it is not the aim of this section to justify which research method is superior to the other. The study, however, interrogates the incompatibility thesis of the two inquiries resulting in the either-or position. The rest of the paper is organised as follows: the next section looks at the literature review; it contextualizes the distinction between qualitative and quantitative research from the ontological, epistemological and methodological perspectives. The last section concludes and summarises the review. 2.0 Literature Review All research is based on some underlying philosophical assumptions about what constitutes 'valid' research and which research method(s) is/are appropriate for the development of knowledge in a given study. The selection of