Basic Types of Research
I. Descriptive Research VS Analytical Research
1. Descriptive Research
Purpose: The goal of descriptive research is to describe things as they are. It focuses on what is
happening, rather than explaining why it is happening.
Approach: This type of research gathers data to describe characteristics or behaviors without
trying to find out cause-and-effect relationships.
Data: It typically uses surveys, observations, or case studies to collect data.
Example of Descriptive Research:
Imagine you want to know how many students at your school use social media daily.
You would survey the students to collect data on how many hours they spend on social media.
The result would just tell you the facts: "50% of students use social media for 2 hours a day."
There is no explanation here about why they use it or how it affects them, just a description of
their behavior.
2. Analytical Research
Purpose: Analytical research goes a step further by analyzing and explaining relationships
between variables. It tries to understand the why and how of a situation.
Approach: It looks for patterns or connections between different factors and seeks to explain
why something happens.
Data: This research involves looking at data and drawing conclusions from it, often using
comparisons, correlations, or statistical analysis.
Example of Analytical Research:
Let’s say you now want to understand the reason why students who spend more time on social
media have lower academic scores.
You might survey students and collect data on their social media use and grades.
You then analyze whether students who spend more time on social media tend to have lower
grades.
In this case, you are trying to find the relationship between the amount of social media use and
academic performance. You are analyzing why the relationship exists.
II. Applied VS Fundamental Research:
3. Applied Research
Applied research tries to solve real-life, practical problems.
Its goal is to create solutions that directly help people or businesses.
Purpose: To find immediate solutions to issues in daily life or specific industries.
Example of Applied Research:
Developing a new vaccine to treat a disease spreading in your community.
Creating better teaching methods to help children with learning disabilities.
Making a smartphone app that helps people manage stress or anxiety.
4. Fundamental (Basic) Research
Fundamental or basic research aims to increase knowledge and understanding of fundamental
principles.
It does not have immediate practical use; it helps build general knowledge for future use.
Purpose: To discover new facts or theories that help us understand the world better.
Example of Fundamental Research:
Studying how cells divide to better understand life processes.
Researching how gravity behaves in deep space.
Investigating how humans form memories and process information.
Comparison:
Applied Research: Solves specific real-world problems directly and quickly.
Fundamental Research: Builds general knowledge and understanding, often with future benefits
in mind.
Fundamental research gives us knowledge, and applied research turns that knowledge into
practical solutions for daily life.
III. Quantitative VS Qualitative
5. Quantitative Research
Quantitative research deals with numbers and measurable information. It collects and analyzes
numerical data.
Purpose: To measure things exactly.
To test theories using numbers and statistics.
Methods Used: Surveys (with closed-ended questions)
Experiments
Statistical analysis
Example:
Conducting a survey to find out how many hours students study each day and comparing it with
their exam results.
6. Qualitative Research
Qualitative research is about understanding people's experiences, thoughts, feelings, and
behaviors through detailed descriptions.
Purpose: To explore deeper meanings, opinions, and feelings.
To understand how and why things happen.
Methods Used: Interviews
Focus groups
Observations
Case studies
Example:
Interviewing students to understand their feelings about stress and anxiety during exams.
Comparison:
Quantitative research gives you numbers and clear answers to questions like "how many" or
"how much".
Qualitative research helps you understand feelings, thoughts, and "why" or "how" something
happens.
Researchers often use a mix of both to get the best understanding of a topic.
IV. Conceptual VS Empirical
7. Conceptual Research
Conceptual research is based on ideas, theories, and logical reasoning.
It does not involve experiments or data collection.
Researchers rely on existing theories, books, and arguments to develop new ideas.
Purpose: To explore and develop new theories or concepts.
To explain an idea without direct observation or experiments.
Example:
A philosopher writing about "What is happiness?" and developing a new theory based on
previous studies.
A scientist theorizing about the existence of black holes before they are observed.
8. Empirical Research
Empirical research is based on observations, experiments, and real-world evidence.
It involves collecting data, testing hypotheses, and analyzing results.
Purpose: To test theories using real-world evidence.
To observe and measure things directly.
Example:
A psychologist conducting an experiment to see if meditation reduces stress.
A doctor testing a new medicine on patients to check its effectiveness.
Comparison:
Conceptual research = "Thinking and developing ideas."
Empirical research = "Testing and proving ideas with real-world data."
Conceptual research often leads to empirical research, where ideas are tested in real life.
Research Design
Research design is a systematic framework that guides researchers in planning, organizing, and
conducting their research study. It provides clear instructions for collecting, analyzing, and
interpreting data, ensuring the study effectively addresses the research problem.
Importance:
Ensures logical coherence between research questions, methodology, and conclusions.
Enhances reliability, validity, and objectivity of research findings.
Facilitates efficient use of resources, time, and efforts.
Types and Examples:
1. Descriptive Design: Observes and describes the current status or behavior of a group.
Example: Surveying student satisfaction at a university.
2. Experimental Design: Investigates cause-effect relationships under controlled
conditions.
Example: Testing whether a new teaching method improves students' exam performance by
comparing test scores before and after implementation.
3. Correlational Design: Studies relationships among variables without manipulating them.
Example: Examining the relationship between social media usage and mental health among
teenagers.
2. Identifying and Defining a Research Problem
Identifying and defining a research problem involves clearly recognizing and describing an issue,
gap, or difficulty within a specific area that requires investigation. It forms the basis of the entire
research process and guides subsequent steps.
Importance:
Directs and defines the scope of research.
Helps in formulating focused research questions and objectives.
Ensures the research contributes meaningfully to knowledge or practice.
Proper Steps:
Step 1: Selection of a Broad Area
Choose a general topic of interest.
Example: Academic performance among undergraduate students.
Step 2: Conduct Preliminary Review of Literature
Read relevant scholarly articles, books, or journals to understand current knowledge and identify
gaps.
Example: After reviewing research, you discover limited studies exploring the relationship
between sleep quality and exam performance.
Step 3: Narrow Down and Specify the Problem
Clearly state the specific issue or gap your research will address.
Example: "The impact of sleep deprivation on the academic performance of university students."
Step 4: Formulate Research Questions
Develop specific questions directly related to the problem.
Example: "Does reduced sleep duration negatively affect the test scores of undergraduate
students?"
Step 5: Define Objectives Clearly
Identify what you aim to achieve through the study.
Example:
1. To measure average sleep hours among university students.
2. To examine the relationship between sleep hours and test scores.
Step 6: Justify the Importance and Significance
Clearly explain why solving this problem is necessary or valuable.
Example: Improving sleep patterns may significantly enhance academic performance, benefiting
both students and educational institutions.
3. Ethical Considerations in Research
Ethical considerations involve a set of moral principles and guidelines that govern how
researchers must behave toward research participants, ensuring the dignity, rights, and safety of
participants are protected throughout the research process.
Discussion on Ethical Guidelines and Regulations:
Researchers must comply with established ethical guidelines issued by institutional review
boards (IRBs), ethics committees, or regulatory bodies such as the American Psychological
Association (APA), or World Medical Association (WMA).
These guidelines ensure responsible conduct, protecting participants from harm, exploitation, or
abuse.
Understanding the Importance of Informed Consent, Confidentiality, and
Participant Rights:
1. Informed Consent:
Researchers must clearly inform participants about the purpose, methods, potential risks, and
benefits of research before participation. Participants must voluntarily agree to participate.
Example: Before participating in a psychological experiment, participants receive written details
of the study procedures, risks, and can freely choose to participate or withdraw anytime without
consequences.
2. Confidentiality:
Researchers must protect participant information from unauthorized disclosure, ensuring privacy
is maintained.
Example: Using anonymous codes instead of names or identities in surveys or reports ensures
participants cannot be identified publicly.
3. Participant Rights:
Participants have the right to safety, privacy, withdrawal at any time, and knowledge about the
use of their data.
Example: If participants feel uncomfortable during interviews, they must be allowed to stop
participation without pressure or penalty.
Maintaining Confidentiality in Research:
Data should be securely stored (e.g., password-protected computers or locked filing cabinets).
Identifiable personal information must never be published without explicit consent.
Researchers must communicate clearly how data privacy will be managed during and after the
study.
Example:
A researcher studying workplace stress collects sensitive information through questionnaires. To
maintain confidentiality:
Respondents' names are replaced with numerical identifiers.
Data is stored securely in encrypted digital files.
Only summarized results are published, ensuring individual responses remain confidential.
