Types of Research - a brief view

1. Research Methodology
Types of Research
Dr. D. Heena Cowsar
Assistant Professor of Commerce
Bon Secours College for Women
heena.raffi@gmail.com /
heen@bonsecourscollege.in

2. What is meant by Research?
• Research is "creative and systematic work undertaken to
increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of
humans, culture and society, and the use of this stock of
knowledge to devise new applications.“
• Research may be very broadly defined as systematic
gathering of data and information and its analysis for
advancement of knowledge in any subject. Research
attempts to find answer intellectual and practical questions
through application of systematic methods.

3. Definition
• Research is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain,
predict, and control the observed phenomenon. Research
involves inductive and deductive methods.” -Earl
Robert Babbie
• Inductive research methods are used to analyze an
observed event. Eg. Crime patrol
• Deductive methods are used to verify the observed
event. Eg. Forensic report
• Inductive approaches are associated with qualitative
research and deductive methods are more commonly
associated with quantitative research.

4. Nature of Research
• A systematic approach must be followed for accurate data.
Rules and procedures are an integral part of the process that
set the objective. Researchers need to practice ethics and a
code of conduct while making observations or drawing
conclusions.
• Research is based on logical reasoning and involves both
inductive and deductive methods.
• The data or knowledge that is derived is in real time from
actual observations in natural settings.
• There is an in-depth analysis of all data collected so that
there are no variances associated with it.

5. Cont…
• Research creates a path for generating new questions.
Existing data helps create more opportunities for research.
• Research is analytical in nature. It makes use of all the
available data so that there is no ambiguity in inference.
• Accuracy is one of the most important aspects of research.
The information that is obtained should be accurate and true
to its nature.
For example, laboratories provide a controlled environment to
collect data. Accuracy is measured in the instruments used, the
calibrations of instruments or tools, and the final result of the
experiment.

6. Types of research
• Descriptive versus Analytical Research
• Applied versus Fundamental Research
• Qualitative versus Quantitative Research
• Conceptual versus Empirical Research

7. Descriptive versus Analytical Research
• Descriptive research consists of surveys and fact-finding inquiries to
ascertain the nature of something as it exists.
• It is applied to obtain the information concerning the current
phenomena eg., describe animals in forest, accident of bus crashes
• Purpose of this method is to describe what exist with respect to
situational variable.
• When we do descriptive result in social science and business research,
we use the term Ex post facto research for descriptive research work.
• The main feature of this method is that the researcher doesn’t have
control over the variables; he can only report things like what has
happened or what is happening.
• Survey research, case study, Correlational study, survey study are the
methods of Descriptive study.

8. • Analytical research is concerned with determining validity
of hypothesis based on analysis of facts collected. Eg.,
chemistry experiments.
• It is an 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 analyse these to make a critical evaluation of
the materials. Eg., Business loss Rs. 100000
• Historical, Philosophical, review and research synthesis
are the methods of applied research
Descriptive versus Analytical Research

9. Applied versus Fundamental Research
• Applied research is carried out to find answers to practical
problems to be solved and as an aid in decision making in
different areas including product design, process design and
policy making. Eg., ICE cream production, political survey
• It focuses on analyzing and solving real-life problems. This
type refers to the study that helps solve practical problems
using scientific methods. Studies play an important role in
solving issues that impact the overall well-being of humans.
For example: finding a medicine or vaccine to cure for a
Novel corona disease.
• It is also known as action research. Its sub types are
Marketing & Evaluation research

10. • Fundamental research is carried out as more to
satisfy intellectual curiosity, than with the intention
of using the research findings for any immediate
practical application.
• It is also known as basic or pure research and
defined as data collected to enhance knowledge. The
main motivation is knowledge expansion. It is a
non-commercial research that doesn’t facilitate in
creating or inventing anything. For example: an
experiment to determine a simple fact.
Applied versus Fundamental Research

11. Qualitative versus Quantitative Research
• Qualitative research studies such aspects of the research
subject which are not quantifiable, and hence not
subject to measurement and quantitative analysis.
• It is non-numerical, descriptive, applies reasoning and uses
words.
• Its aim is to get the meaning, feeling and describe the
situation.
• Qualitative data cannot be graphed.
• It is exploratory.
• It investigates the why and how of decision making.

12. • Quantitative research makes substantial use of
measurements and quantitative analysis techniques.
• It is numerical, non-descriptive, applies statistics or
mathematics and uses numbers.
• It is an iterative process whereby evidence is
evaluated.
• The results are often presented in tables and graphs.
• It is conclusive.
• It investigates the what, where and when of decision
making.
Qualitative versus Quantitative Research

13. Conceptual versus Empirical Research
• Conceptual research is involves investigation of
thoughts and ideas and developing new ideas or
interpreting the old ones based on logical reasoning.
• It is related to some abstract or idea or theory.
• It develops the new concept or reinterpret the
existing ones.
• Finally it attempt to establish cause & effect
relationship.
• It is also called Experimental research.

14. • Empirical research is based on firm verifiable data
collected by either observation of facts under natural
condition or obtained through experimentation.
• Empirical research relies on experience or observation
alone. It is data-based research, coming up with
conclusions which are capable of being verified by
observation or experiments. Eg., Doctors treatment
• Empirical research is based on observed and measured
phenomena and derives knowledge from actual
experience rather than from theory or belief.
Conceptual versus Empirical Research