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.