Abstract
To communicate the paradigmatic differences of quantitative and qualitative research, this article seeks to provide a balanced argument of what constitutes ‘scientific’ or ‘unscientific’ research. I begin by clarifying some of the known issues in interpreting terminology from a qualitative perspective. I then explain the influence of common qualitative criteria and how they impact the pursuit of knowledge. This leads to an exploration of the contested nature of quantitative and qualitative practices, where I discuss the strengths and criticisms of both paradigms. From this, I conclude by highlighting the rationale and logic of qualitative researchers that may be misunderstood.