Types of Research

Dr.Dipali Meher
mailtomeher@gmail.com
#DipaliMeher
Types of Research
Nature of qualitative and
quantitative research
Process of Research
Collected by #DipaliMeher

Agenda
✔Types of Research
✔ Formulating a Research
Question
✔ Nature of qualitative and
quantitative research
✔ Process of Research
✔ Formulation of Research Design

TYPES OF RESEARCH

Types of Research : Descriptive vs. Analytical
Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different kinds.
The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs as it exists at
present.
The main characteristic of this method is that the researcher has no control over the
variables; he can only report what has happened or what is happening. Ex post facto
research projects are used for descriptive studies in which the researcher seeks to measure
such items as,
for example, frequency of shopping, preferences of people, or similar data.
Ex post facto studies also include attempts by researchers to discover causes even when
they cannot control the variables. The methods of research utilized in descriptive research
are survey methods of all kinds, including comparative and correlational methods. In
analytical research, on the other hand, the researcher has to use facts or information
already available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.

Types of Research : Applied vs. Fundamental
Research can either be applied (or action) research or fundamental (to basic or pure)
research.
Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an
industrial/business organisation, fundamental research is mainly concerned with
generalisations and with the formulation of a theory.
“Gathering knowledge for knowledge’s sake is termed ‘pure’ or ‘basic’ research.” Research
concerning some natural phenomenon or relating to pure mathematics are examples of
fundamental research. Similarly, research studies, concerning human behaviour carried on
with a view to make generalisations about human behaviour, are also examples of
fundamental research, but research aimed at certain conclusions (say, a solution) facing a
concrete social or business problem is an example of applied research.
The central aim of applied research is to discover a solution for some pressing practical
problem, whereas basic research is directed towards finding information that has a broad
base of applications and thus, adds to the already existing organized body of scientific
knowledge.

Types of Research : Conceptual vs. Empirical
Conceptual research is that related to some abstract idea(s) or theory. It is generally used by philosophers and
thinkers to develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones.
Empirical research relies on experience or observation alone, often without due regard for system and theory.
It is data-based research, coming up with conclusions which are capable of being verified by observation or
experiment. We can also call it as experimental type of research. In such a research it is necessary to get at
facts firsthand, at their source, and actively to go about doing certain things to stimulate the production of
desired information.
In such a research, the researcher must first provide himself with a working hypothesis or guess as to the
probable results.
He then works to get enough facts (data) to prove or disprove his hypothesis. He then sets up experimental
designs which he thinks will manipulate the persons or the materials concerned
so as to bring forth the desired information. Such research is thus characterised by the experimenter’s control
over the variables under study and his deliberate manipulation of one of them to study its effects. Empirical
research is appropriate when proof is sought that certain variables affect other variables in some way.
Evidence gathered through experiments or empirical studies is today considered to be the most powerful
support possible for a given hypothesis.

Types of Research : Quantitative vs. Qualitative
Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable to phenomena that can be
expressed in terms of quantity.
Qualitative research, on the other hand, is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e., phenomena relating to or
involving quality or kind. For instance, when we are interested in investigating the reasons for human behaviour (i.e.,
why people think or do certain things), we quite often talk of ‘Motivation Research’, an important type of qualitative
research.
This type of research aims at discovering the underlying motives and desires, using in depth interviews for the purpose.
Other techniques of such research are word association tests, sentence completion tests, story completion tests and
similar other projective techniques. Attitude or opinion research i.e., research designed to find out how people feel or
what they think about a particular subject or institution is also qualitative research.
Qualitative research is specially important in the behavioural sciences where the aim is to discover the underlying
motives of human behaviour.
Through such research we can analyse the various factors which motivate people to behave in a particular manner or
which make people like or dislike a particular thing. It may be stated, however, that to apply qualitative research in
practice is relatively a difficult job and therefore, while doing such research, one should seek guidance from
experimental psychologists.

Difference Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research
Qualitative Research Quantitative Research
A method for developing a better understanding of
human and social sciences, in understanding human
behavior and personalities better
It is the method used to generate numerical data by
using a lot of techniques such as logical, statistical
and mathematical techniques
It employs a subjective approach It employs an objective approach
It is generally expressed using words It is expressed using graphs and numbers
It has open-ended questions It has multiple choice questions
Qualitative research needs only a few respondents Quantitative research requires many respondents
The data collection methods involved are interviews,
focus groups, literature review, ethnography
The data collection methods involved are
experiments, surveys, and observations expressed
in numbers
Qualitative research is holistic in nature Quantitative Research is particularistic in nature

Difference Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research
Qualitative Research Quantitative Research
The reasoning used to synthesize data in this research
is inductive
The reasoning used to synthesise data in this
research is deductive
This method involves a process-oriented inquiry This method does not involve a process-oriented
inquiry
It develops the initial understanding of data It recommends a final course of action
The data taken in the Qualitative research method is
pretty verbal
The data taken in this method is pretty measurable
The objective of this research method is to engage and
discover various ideas
The main objective of Quantitative research is to
examine the cause and effect between the variables
It is one of the exploratory research methods It is a conclusive research method

Types of Research : Other Types of Research
⮚Based on any variations of above methods
⮚Based on the purpose of research,
⮚Based on the time required to accomplish research
⮚Based on the environment in which research is done
⮚Based on the basis of some other similar factor.
⮚ one-time research or longitudinal research.
⮚ field-setting research or laboratory research or simulation research
⮚ clinical or diagnostic research.( Case study Approach)
⮚ Exploratory research- has hypothesis
⮚ Historical research- historical sources like documents
⮚ Conclusion-oriented
⮚ Decision-oriented

Research Method Vs Research Methodology
Research methods may be understood as all those methods/techniques that are
used for conduction of research.
Research methods or techniques use in performing research operations
all those methods which are used by the researcher during the course of studying
his research problem are termed as research methods.
Such as data collection, analysis methods and accuracy methods used to measure
accuracy in data as well as in result.
Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem.
(analysis and accuracy methods)
12

#DipaliMeher
RESEARCH METHOD RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research methods are the methods used by researchers
to collect data to conduct research on a particular
research topic.
A Research methodology is systematic approach to solve
the research problem and to reach a new conclusion.
The objective of the research method is to find the
solution.
The objective of the research methodology is to
determine the solution by applying correct procedures of
research.
Research methods are useful to apply during the latter
stage of the research process.
Research methodologies are applied in the initial stage of
the research being conducted.
Research methods are small part of research
methodology.
A Research methodology is a multi-dimensional concept.
Research methods consist of various techniques where
various studies and experiments are used to conduct
research and reach an appropriate conclusion.
Research methodologies are used applied during the
initial stage of the research to explain the purpose of
chosen methods and how they will serve its function.
Research methods consist of different investigation
techniques.
Research methodologies is a systematic strategy to
achieve the decided objective.
Research method encompasses of carrying out an
experiment, survey, test and so on.
Research methodology encompasses different
techniques which are used during the performance of the
experiment, surveys, and test, etc.

Research Process
Formulating
the research
problem
Extensive
literature
survey
Development
of working
hypotheses
Preparing the
research
design
Determining
sample
design
Collecting the
data
Analysis of
data
Execution of
the project
Hypothesis-
testing
Generalisations
and
interpretation
Preparation of
the report or
the thesis

Model of Research Process
Experience and
Motivation
Literature Review
Research
Questions(s)
Conceptual
Framework
Survey
Design &
Creation
Experiment
Case Study
Action Research
Ethnography
interviews
Observation
Questionnaires
Documents
Quantitative
Qualitative
Data
Generation
Methods
Data Analysis
Strategies
15
Usually
1:1
often
1:N

Model of Research Process: Strategies
Survey Design & Creation Experiment
Case Study Action Research Ethnography
16

Survey
Example : For instance, as an
organization looking to find out how
many persons are using your product
in a particular location, you can
administer survey research to collect
useful quantitative data. Other
quantitative research methods
include polls, face-to-face interviews,
and systematic observation.

Example : - Artefacts
Models Methods
Procedures Algorithms
software hardware
Design & Creation

Example :
After second dose of
vaccination very few
peoples are affected
by covid-19
Experiment
19

Example: foot ware sale
in Australia
ASMA Group of institutes
CaseStudy

Example: Would
differently types of
learning enhance student
understanding.
CBCS course pattern is
the best example
Action Research

Example : stack
overflow
Ethnography

References
 Research methodology techniques and methods
https://ccsuniversity.ac.in/bridge-library/pdf/Research-Methodology-CR-
Kothari.pdf by New age International publishers. By C. R Kothari
 Researching Information Systems and Computing Sage Publications by
Oates B J

Types of Research

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