This document provides an overview of descriptive research. Descriptive research aims to describe current phenomena and characteristics without manipulating variables. It answers questions like "what is" rather than "why". Common methods include surveys, interviews, and observations. Descriptive research is used to investigate topics like attitudes, activities, and relationships between variables. It seeks to accurately report existing conditions and identify problems or abnormalities.

1. DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH
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Dr.Lokanath Mishra
M.Sc(Math),M.A(Eco),M.Ed,NET,Ph.D,D.Litt
Associate Professor
School of Education

2. Descriptive Research
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 Quantitative Research Methodologies:
 Descriptive Research
 Correlational Research
 Experimental Research
 Ex Post Facto Research
 Survey Research
 Descriptive Vs. Experimental Vs. Ex post facto
 Descriptive (What is the current situation?)
 Experimental (What is the cause?)
 Ex post facto (What was the possible cause?)

3. Descriptive Research
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 What is the Descriptive Research?
This type of research involves either identifying the characteristics of
an observed phenomenon or exploring possible correlations among
two or more. It primarily concerned with finding out “what is”, solving
the problems through the interoperation of the data that has been
gathered, (answering the questions who , what, whe re , whe n and
ho w...)
 Descriptive“ what is the current situation?”
 Numerical data gathered through tests, surveys, observations,
interviews
 variables are not manipulated but are measured as they occur
 Subgroups may be compared on some measure
 Two or more variables of a group may be correlated
 Doesn’t attempt to identify cause of differences or relationships, just if
they exist

4. Descriptive Research
is the most widely-used research design as indicated by the theses, dissertations and
research reports of institutions. Its common means of obtaining information include
the use of the questionnaire, personal interviews with the aid of study guide or
interview schedule, and observation, either participatory or not.
includes studies that purport to present facts concerning the nature and status of
anything. This means that descriptive research gives meaning to the quality and
standing of facts that are going on. For instance, the information about a group of
person, a number of objects, a set of conditions, a class of events, a system of
thoughts or any other kind of phenomenon or experience which one may wish to
study.
fact-finding with adequate interpretation. The descriptive method is something more and
beyond just data-gathering; latter is not reflective thinking nor research. The true
meaning of data collected should be reported from the point of view of the objectives
and the basic assumption of the project under way. Facts obtained may be accurate
expressions of central tendency, or deviation, or correlation; but the report is not
research unless discussion of those data is not carried up to the level of adequate
interpretation. Data must be subjected to the thinking process in terms of ordered
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5. Descriptive Research
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 What the Descriptive Research can be used for?
Descriptive studies have an important role in social science research,
such as business, government, public health, sociology and education
research.
 Can be applied to investigate questions such as:
 Do teachers hold favorable attitudes toward using computers in
schools?
 What kinds of activities that involve technology occur in sixth-grade
classrooms and how frequently do they occur?
 How have high school computing courses changed over the last 10
years?
 Is there a relationship between experience with multimedia computers
and problem-solving skills?
 What is the best way to provide access to computer equipment in
schools?

6. Overview of Descriptive
Research
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 Focused towards the present
 Gathering information and describing the current
situation
 May or may not involve hypothesis testing
 Answers the question “What is?”
 Many types of research fall within this
classification

7. Nature of Descriptive Research
 Descriptive research is designed for the investigator to
gather information about present existing conditions.
Descriptive research involves collection of data in order
to test the hypothesis or to answer questions concerning
the current status of the subject of the study.
Descriptive study determines and reports the way things
are. It has no control over what is, and it can only
measure what already exist.
Descriptive research has been criticized for its inability
to control variables, for more frequently yielding only
descriptive rather than predictive, findings.
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8. Aims of Descriptive Research

The principal aims in employing descriptive research are to describe the nature of
a situation as it exists at the time of the study and to explore the causes of
particular phenomena. (Travers, 1978)
Descriptive Research seeks to tell “what exists” or “what is” about a certain
educational phenomenon. Accurate observations and assessments arise from
data that ascertain the nature and incidence of prevailing conditions, practices or
description of object, process, and person who are all objects of the study.
contribute in the formation of principles and generalization in behavioural sciences
contribute in the establishment of standard norms of conduct, behaviour, or
performance.
reveal problems or abnormal conditions ;
make possible prediction of future on the basis of findings on prevailing conditions,
corrections, and on the basis of reactions of people toward certain issues;
give better and deeper understanding of phenomenon on the basis of an in-depth
study of the phenomenon.
provide basis for decision-making.
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9. Types of Descriptive Research
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 Survey
 Developmental
 Longitudinal approach
 Cross-sectional approach
 Case Study
 Co relational
 Normative
 Observational
 Action
 Causal-comparative

10. The basic steps of descriptive
research
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 An orderly scientific and disciplined
process, involving:
 recognizing and identifying a topic to be
studied
 selecting an appropriate sample of
participants
 collecting valid and reliable data
 reporting conclusions

11. Importance of Descriptive
Research
For scientific basis of judgement. This means that
descriptive research provides information which
could be used as basis for important decisions that
are to be made.
For a closer look into happenings, behaviour,
practice, methods and procedures. Descriptive
research provides essential facts and understanding
about the nature of anything.
For the formation of construction of test analysis of
these standardization of tools instruments used in
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12. DR design & Analysis
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1. Descriptive Research Designs
 Observation Studies
 Correlational Research
 Developmental Designs
 Survey Research
2. Using Checklists and Rating scales
3. Choosing a Sample in a Descriptive Study
 Sampling design
 Bias in Research sampling
4. Interpreting Data in Descriptive Research

13. DR design & Analysis
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1. Descriptive Research Designs – Observation
Studies
 In qualitative research: record in great detail
 In quantitative research: focus on a particular aspect of
behavior, and try to be as objective as possible
 Many strategies to maintain “objective”:
a) define behavior in a precise, concrete manner
b) divide the observation period into small segments…
c) use a rating scale to evaluate behavior
d) Have two/three people rate the same behavior
Independently
e) Train the raters
Ultimately, an observational study can yield data that portray much
of the richness and complexity of human behavior.