As in many other disciplines, research methodology in language program evaluation is
classified into different paradigms by different scholars. No matter what classification each
researcher follows, research in language program evaluation can be conducted according to two
general approaches: positivistic/quantitative and naturalistic/qualitative. This article will attempt to
review these two major paradigms by (i) giving the definition of each paradigm and presenting its
logic of justification; (ii) outlining the major research methods employed in each paradigm; and (iv)
critically evaluating each paradigm. The article will argue that program evaluators should
appropriately combine the two approaches to maximize the effectiveness of their evaluation.
