Difference Between various Types of Research

 

When a new student is introduced to various types of research, he/she finds it difficult to differentiate among these closely defined and intermingled types. Here, we will try to make these terminologies easier to understand, as there is always a thin line among them that will lead us to understand the difference. The best way to understand them is to look in comparison to each other.

Applied Research Vs Basic Research

Fundamental or Basic and Applied research are also closely defined terminologies. It is difficult to differentiate basic and applied research, as both lies on the same continuum. In its purest form, Basic Research is conducted is solely for the aim of developing a theory. Theory development is a conceptual process of developing process that requires many research studies conducted over time. Basic researchers may not be concerned with the immediate utility of their findings because it may be years before basic research leads to a practical application.

Applied research is conducted to apply or test a theory, in order to determine its usefulness in problem solving. Applied research more focus on what works best, however, basic research focuses on finding out why it works. Both the researches support each other, as basic research provides the theory that produces the concept for solving problems. Applied research provides data which will help, support, guide and revise the event of theory.

Basic research develops universal knowledge whereas, applied research is carried out to understand and address problems. Basic research is carried out to answer single questions whereas, applied research answers multiple questions. Basic research discovers statistically significant relationships or effects whereas, applied research discovers practically significant relationships or effects.

 

Descriptive Research vs Experimental Research

Descriptive Research:

A descriptive study describes and interprets what is. It is concerned with conditions or relationships that exist, opinion that are held, processes that are happening, effect that are evident or trends that are developing. It is primarily concerned with this, although it often considers past events and influences as they relate to current conditions. Descriptive research deals in variables’ relationships, hypotheses testing, and the development of generalizations, principles or theories that have universal validity. Descriptive research is sometimes divided into correlational research, causal- comparative research other descriptive research that is neither correlational nor designed to find causation but describe existing conditions. All of these types of descriptive research have the same basic components: They are all attempting to find generalizable attributes and they all deal with present conditions.

In descriptive research, the researcher doesn't manipulate the variable, decide who receives the treatment or arrange for events to happen. In fact, the events that are observed and described would have happened albeit there had been no observation or analysis. Descriptive research also involves past events that may be related to a present condition. However, descriptive research methods are nonexperimental because they affect the relationships among nonmanipulated variables. Because the events or conditions have already occurred, the research merely selects the relevant variables for an analysis of their relationship. Descriptive research seeks to seek out answers to questions through the analysis of variable relationships. What factors seem to be associated with certain occurrences, outcomes, conditions or type of behavior? Because it's often impracticable or unethical to rearrange occurrences, an analysis of past events or of already existing conditions could also be the sole feasible thanks to study causation.

Example of descriptive research includes population census and product marketing surveys etc.

Experimental Research

Experimental research refers to research where the researcher manipulates the variable to reach a conclusion or findings and is difficult in social sciences due to manipulating variables. It is useful to find out the cause effect relationship and correlation. Although many experimental studies of human behavior are often appropriately administered both within the laboratory and within the field. In this kind of research ethical considerations may arise.

Example of experimental research includes laboratory experiments, social experiments etc.

 

 

 

 

Difference between Descriptive Research and Experimental Research :

	DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH	EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
Descriptive research refers to research which describes a phenomenon or else a group under study.		Experimental research refers to research where the researcher manipulates the variable to come to aconclusion or finding.
Descriptive research is easy to do in social sciences due to manipulating variables.		Experimental research is difficult to do in social sciences due to manipulating variables.
It is useful in gathering data on a certain population, situations and events.		It is useful in finding out the cause effect of a causal relationship and correlation.
In descriptive research the researcher observes the things, situation or events and describes the best of it.		In experimental research the researcher researches the things mainly in closed environment or laboratory and results the best output of it.
Descriptive research cannot determine the causality of events and as such cannot make future predictions.		Experimental research accurately determines causality and therefore can make future predictions.
Mainly Descriptive research tries to answer the question “What is”.		Mainly Experimental research tries to answer the question “What if”.
Descriptive research typically includes sociological and psychological, political science studies.		Experimental research typically includes biological, forensic studies, other laboratory studies.
It uses both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.		It primarily uses quantitative methodology.
Descriptive research is more towards collecting data and try to find out some insight out of that data using statistical analysis.		Experimental research is also do this same sort of analysis but also it always analyzes where the data of an experiment comes from.

 

Qualitative Vs Quantitative Research

Qualitative Research

Qualitative research refers to research the in-depth information about human behavior and produces “textual data” (non-numerical). When there is a need to explore ideas, thoughts and meanings during that time we can go for qualitative research methods. Qualitative research provides insights into the matter which helps in developing ideas or hypotheses for potential quantitative research.

 

Quantitative Research

Quantitative research refers to analyze numerical data and mathematical models. When we need to test a hypothesis or measure some data during that point quantitative research methods are used. Measurable data is employed by the quantitative research to formulate facts and uncover patterns in research.

 

Difference between Qualitative research and Quantitative research:

 

.    QUALITATIVE RESEARCH	QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
Objective of Qualitative research is to gain a qualitative understanding of the underlying reasons and motivations	Objective of Quantitative research is to quantity the data and generalize the results from the sample to the population of interest
Qualitative research focuses on quality features	Quantitative research focuses on quantity features
The common purpose of this research is to discover ideas with general research objects	The common purpose of this research is to test hypothesis or specific research questions
The philosophy behind it is phenomenology	The philosophy behind it is positivism
In qualitative research observations are done to produce result	In quantitative research experiments are done to produce result
Qualitative research produces “textual data” (non-numerical)	Quantitative research produces “numerical data”
In this research data can be measured it can be observed	In this research data can be measured accurately
It is considered as subjective	It is considered as objective
This research methods follow observe and interpret approach.	This research methods follow measure and test approach
Qualitative research follows unstructured data collection method	Quantitative research follows structured data collection method
In qualitative research question format is open ended	In quantitative research question format is close ended
It examines in wide angle means examines breadth and depth of topic	It examines in narrow angle means examines some specific variable of topic
It takes small number of non-representative cases as sample	It takes large number of representative cases as sample
Qualitative research follows non statistical data analysis approach	Quantitative research follows statistical data analysis approach
It collects data through interviews, observations, documents and artifacts	It collects data through tests, questions, scale, inventories
It is most often used in exploratory research designs	It is most often used in descriptive and casual research designs
It develops an initial understanding as outcome	It recommends a final course of action as outcome

 

Types of Research According to Purpose

 

Following are the different types of research on the basis of purpose.

1.         Basic Research

         Basic research concerns with generalization and the formulation of theory. It is initiated by curiosity or the researcher’s interest in a particular subject. This type of research is used to expand knowledge, not to create or invent something. Basic research lays the foundation for the applied research.

Strengths of Basic Research

• ·         Basic research is typically curiosity-driven.
• ·         Basic research frequently leads to new insights into the essence of phenomenon.
• ·         It is usually unpredictable in nature, in terms of its processes and outcomes.
• ·         It is the verifiable which makes scientific knowledge a firm kind of knowledge.

2.         Applied Research

Applied research is the implementation of theoretical study upon a problematic situation. It applies theories and facts to know about the nature of the problem and recommend solutions. This type of research is used to test and verify theories, discover facts, and give immediate answers to questions. It involves practical problems of society to improve the human condition. This type is widely used by researchers as it helps to address worldly common problems such as overpopulation, pollution, depletion of natural resources, drought, floods, deprivation of the underprivileged, declining moral standards, and disease. Researchers in this field try to find solutions to existing problems. The approach is much more utilitarian as it strives to find information that will directly influence practice.

Strengths of Applied Research

It is designed to solve practical problems of the modern world, rather than to acquire knowledge for the sake of knowledge.

3.         Action Research

It is an inimitable form of applied research and a reflective process of modern problem solving. It is also called “practitioner research” because of the involvement in real life problem. In action research the practitioner is involved in the collection of data, analysis, interpretation and implementation of results. This type of research can be effectively undertaken by larger organizations or institutions, assisted or guided by professional researchers, in order to improv their strategies, practices, and knowledge of the environments. Action research is an interactive inquiry process that balances the remedial actions implemented in a particular context to understand underlying causes which would enable future predictions about personal and organizational change.

Strengths of Applied Research

It enables the researcher to explore the nature of their practice and to improve it. It encourages the practitioner to become knowledge-makers, rather than merely knowledge-users.

4.         Evaluation Research

Evaluation research, also known as program evaluation is the systematic assessment of the time, money, effort, and resources spent in order to achieve a certain goal. It uses many of the same methods used in traditional social research. It is used to evaluate any program or organizational activity. It is the evaluation of implemented programs about their effectiveness. There are three main types of evaluation.

1.      Concurrent evaluation-means process evaluation

2.      Phase or periodic evaluation- means stage wise evaluation

3.      Terminal evaluation-Evaluation after the completion of the program

 

5.         Inter-Disciplinary Research

This is the most effective research type to understand complex social problems, as social problems are interwoven, it is hard for a researcher to be strict to one discipline and leave the others. Through this type of research, a researcher is privileged to enjoy the benefits of multi-discipline strategies to acquire a solution to complex problems. It is the study of structure or functions of a particular discipline or comparison of one discipline with another.

6.         Exploratory Research

Exploratory research is done to investigate a problem that has not been studied or profoundly investigated in the past. In exploratory research, the researchers try to gain familiarity with an existing phenomenon and obtain new insight into the details of the problem. In exploratory research, the research process varies according to the finding of new data or insight. The answer to the questions like what, how, and why are acquired in this research. 

7.         Descriptive Research

Descriptive research is done to describes the characteristics of the population or phenomenon under study. In this research, the focus is more on the “what” of the research subject than the “why”. The difference between exploratory and descriptive research is that exploratory research discovers the ideas and thoughts, whereas, descriptive research describes mainly the functions and characteristics of a certain problem. The descriptive research uses description, classification, measurement, and comparison to describe.

 

Types of Research

 

Types of research in terms of Purpose, method, and approach are discussed in this blog. There are different categories to describe types of research in social sciences. These are categorized according to:-

•       Purpose
•      Method
•    Approach

According to Purpose

According to purpose, we have different types of research namely,

•          Applied Research
•          Exploratory Research
•          Descriptive Research
•          Evaluation Research

Applied Research

Applied research aims at finding solutions to pressing problems that society and organizations are facing by employing well-known theories and principles. Sometimes, applied research is conducted to determine the possible uses or applications of the findings of basic research. These researches are conducted on large scale and expensive.

Exploratory Research

Exploratory research is done to investigate a problem that has not been studied or profoundly investigated in the past. In exploratory research, the researchers try to gain familiarity with an existing phenomenon and obtain new insight into the details of the problem. In exploratory research, the research process varies according to the finding of new data or insight. The answer to the questions like what, how, and why are acquired in this research. 

Descriptive Research

Descriptive research is done to describes the characteristics of the population or phenomenon under study. In this research, the focus is more on the “what” of the research subject than the “why”. The difference between exploratory and descriptive research is that exploratory research discovers the ideas and thoughts, whereas, descriptive research describe mainly functions and characteristics of a certain problem. The descriptive research uses description, classification, measurement, and comparison to describe.

Evaluation Research

Evaluation research, also known as program evaluation is the systematic assessment of the time, money, effort, and resources spent in order to achieve a certain goal. It uses many of the same methods used in traditional social research. It is used to evaluate any program or organizational activity.

According to Method

    According to the research method, the types of research are as follows: -

•           Analytic Research
•          Survey Research
•          Experimental Research

Analytical Research

    Analytical Research involves critical thinking skills and the evaluation of facts and information relative to the research. Through analytical research, a researcher finds out critical details to add new ideas regarding the phenomenon under study. Some scholars conduct analytical research to find supporting evidence to improve existing literature. Analytical research is conducted in multiple ways including literary research, public opinion, scientific trials, and Meta-analysis.

Survey Research

Survey Research is a process of conducting research using surveys that researchers send to various respondents. The data collected from surveys is then statistically analyzed to draw meaningful research conclusions. Survey research is a quantitative method for collecting information from respondents through survey questions. It is useful for researchers who aim at communicating new features or trends to their respondents.

Experimental Research

Experimental research strictly follows scientific research design. It includes a hypothesis, a variable that can be manipulated by the researcher, and variables that can be measured, calculated and compared. Experimental research is completed in a controlled environment. The researcher gathers the data and results will either support or refute the hypothesis. This method of research is referred to a hypothesis testing or a deductive research method.

According to Approach

•          Quantitative Research
•          Qualitative Research
•           Mix Method Research

Quantitative Research

    The quantitative research method refers to a systematic investigation of observable phenomena through a mathematical and most especially statistical technique. Therefore, in a quantitative research method, the researcher analyzes the data with the help of statistics and hoping to produce logical and unbiased results.

Qualitative Research

In the Qualitative research method, sophisticated statistical treatment not required. Define more broadly, the qualitative research method is a scientific investigation of non-quantifiable phenomena, holistic description, and exploration of the meaning. In qualitative research, why and how questions of human experience are answered. In terms of purpose, a qualitative research method aims to know the meaning, nature, and dynamics of a certain phenomenon or situation under investigation.

Mixed-Method Research

The mixed research method as the name suggests involves a systematic integration or combination of both quantitative and qualitative research methods in the investigation of a particular phenomenon, event or situation. The method is based on the combination of both the quantitative and qualitative methods or types of research will result in a complete and more meaningful interpretation of data.