Types of Research
Presented by: Argente
Barrantes
Berdin
Borlado
Ramos
What is Research?
Research is a process of systematic inquiry that entails collection of data;
documentation of critical information; and analysis and interpretation of
that data/information, in accordance with suitable methodologies set by
specific professional fields and academic disciplines.
Research is conducted to...
Slidethe
•Evaluate 3 validity of a hypothesis or an interpretive
framework.
•To assemble a body of substantive knowledge and findings for
sharing them in appropriate manners.
•To help generate questions for further inquiries.
What is the Purpose of Research?
The purpose of research is to further understand the world
and to learn how this knowledge can be applied to better
everyday life. It is an integral part of problem solving.
There are three main purposes of research:
• Exploratory
• Descriptive
• Explanatory
Characteristics of Research
There are 8 core characteristics that all research projects should have. These are:
•Empirical
•Logical
•Cyclic
•Controlled
•Hypothesis-based
•Analytical
•Objective
•Statistical treatment
What does Research Involve?
Research often follows a systematic approach known as a
Scientific Method, which is carried out using an hourglass
model.
This can take the form of the ‘scope of the study’ or ‘
aims and objectives’ of your research topic.
What research isn’t
• Research isn’t teaching
• Research isn’t just data-gathering
• Research isn’t just about methodology
Major Types of Research
• Descriptive Research
• Analytical Research
• Applied Research
• Basic Research
• Quantitative Research
• Qualitative Research
• Conceptual Research
• Non-Scientific Methods
Descriptive Research
What is Descriptive Research?
- refers to the methods that describe the characteristics of the
variables under study. This methodology focuses on
answering questions relating to “what” than the “why” of the
research subject. The primary focus of descriptive research is
to simply describe the nature of the demographics under
study instead of focusing on the “why”.
Descriptive Research also…
• Surveys and fact finding enquiries of different kinds
• Purpose is the description of the state of affairs as it exists in present
• Ex Post Facto Research
• Researcher has no control over the variables; he can only report what has happened or
what is happening
Subdivisions of Descriptive Research
• Survey Research
• The Case Study Correlational Study
• Comparative Study
Analytical Research
What is analytical research?
• Involves in-depth study and evaluation of available information in an attempt to explain
complex phenomenon
• The researcher has to use facts or information already available and analyze these to
make a critical evaluation of the material
Subdivisions of Analytical Research
• Historical Research
• Philosophical Research
• Review
• Research synthesis (meta analysis i.e. analysis
of the review already published)
Applied Research
What is Applied research?
is a type of research design that seeks to solve a specific problem or provide innovative
solutions to issues affecting an individual, group or society. It is often referred to as a
scientific method of inquiry or contractual research because it involves the practical
application of scientific methods to everyday problems.
Applied / Action Research
• Finding a solution to an immediate problem
• Research aimed to find social or political trends that
may affect a particular institution is an example of
applied research
• Subtypes
– Marketing Research
– Evaluation Research
Basic Research
What is Basic Research?
Basic research is often described as research without any clear goals, or
science to satisfy the curiosity of a lone scientist without anyone else
even realizing that it exists.
Basic / Pure / Fundamental Research
• Concerned with generalizations and with the formulations of a theory
• Natural phenomenon and mathematics are examples of basic research
• Finding information that has a broad base of application
Quantitative Research
What is Quantitative Research?
Quantitative research is defined as a systematic investigation of phenomena by gathering quantifiable data and
performing statistical, mathematical, or computational techniques. Quantitative research collects information
from existing and potential customers using sampling methods and sending out online surveys, online polls,
questionnaires, etc., the results of which can be depicted in the form of numerical. After careful
understanding of these numbers to predict the future of a product or service and make changes accordingly.
Qualitative Research
What is Qualitative Research?
Qualitative research involves collecting and analyzing non-numerical data (e.g.,
text, video, or audio) to understand concepts, opinions, or experiences. It can be
used to gather in-depth insights into a problem or generate new ideas for
research.
Qualitative research approaches
Approach What does it involve?
Grounded theory Researchers collect rich data on a topic of interest and develop theories
inductively.
Ethnography Researchers immerse themselves in groups or organizations to
understand their cultures.
Action research Researchers and participants collaboratively link theory to practice to
drive social change.
Phenomenological research Researchers investigate a phenomenon or event by describing and
interpreting participants’ lived experiences.
Narrative research Researchers examine how stories are told to understand how
participants perceive and make sense of their experiences.
Conceptual Research
What is Conceptual Research?
Conceptual research is defined as a methodology wherein research is conducted by
observing and analyzing already present information on a given topic. Conceptual
research doesn’t involve conducting any practical experiments. It is related to abstract
concepts or ideas. Philosophers have long used conceptual research to develop new
theories or interpret existing theories in a different light.
Conceptual Research Framework
1. Choose the topic for research
2. Collect relevant
3. Identify specific variables
4. Generate the framework
Unscientific Methods of Problem Solving
• Tenacity
– Cling to certain beliefs despite lack of evidence
– Superstitions; eg: Black cat brings bad luck
• Intuition
– Considered to be common sense / self evident; may be found to be
false
• Authority
– Reference to authority – used as a source of knowledge
• The Rationalistic Method
– Derive knowledge through reasoning
– Basketball players are tall. Haresh is a basketball player. Therefore,
Haresh is tall.
• The Empirical Method
– Describes data or a study that is based on objective observation – Relies
on observation or experience, capable of being verified by experiment
Other Types of Research
• Based on Time
• Based on Environment
• Clinical or Diagnostic Research
• Case study or in-depth approaches
• Exploratory Research
• Formalized Research
• Historical Research
• Conclusion oriented
• Decision oriented
