ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY

Assignment on –

‘Descriptive Survey Research’

Paper –
Introduction to Research Methods
MEM - 1003

SUBMITTED BY
MD IKRAM ALAM
EN. NO.- GH8543
ROLL NO.- 20MED 037
M.ED (P)

SUBMITTED TO
Prof. Gunjan Dubey
Professor
Dept. of Education
Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh, U.P.
202002
Descriptive Research -

Descriptive research is defined as a research method

that describes the characteristics of the population or phenomenon studied. This
methodology focuses more on the “what” of the research subject than the “why”
of the research subject.

The descriptive research method primarily focuses on

describing the nature of a demographic segment, without focusing on “why” a
particular phenomenon occurs. In other words, it “describes” the subject of the
research, without covering “why” it happens.

For example, an apparel brand

that wants to understand the fashion purchasing trends among Delhi buyers will
conduct a demographic survey of this region, gather population data and then
conduct descriptive research on this demographic segment. The study will then
uncover details on “what is the purchasing pattern of Delhi buyers,” but not cover
any investigative information about “why” the patterns exist.

Types of Descriptive Research -

Descriptive research is classified into

different types according to the kind of approach that is used in conducting
descriptive research. The different types of descriptive research are highlighted
below -

❖ Descriptive-survey - Descriptive-survey research uses surveys to gather

data about varying subjects. This data aims to know the extent to which
different conditions can be obtained among these subjects.
❖ Descriptive-normative survey - This is an extension of the descriptive-
survey, with the addition being the normative element. In the descriptive-
normative survey, the results of the study should be compared with the
norm.
❖ Descriptive-status - This is a quantitative description technique that seeks
to answer questions about real-life situations. For example, a researcher
researching the income of the employees in a company, and the
relationship with their performance.
❖ Descriptive-analysis - Descriptive-analysis method of research describes
a subject by further analysing it, which in this case involves dividing it into
two parts. For example, the HR personnel of a company that wishes to
analyse the job role of each employee of the company may divide the
employees into the people that work at the Headquarters in the Mumbai
and those that work from Chennai office.
 ❖ Descriptive classification - This method is employed in biological
sciences for the classification of plants and animals. A researcher who
wishes to classify the sea animals into different species will collect samples
from various search stations, then classify them accordingly.
❖ Descriptive-comparative - In descriptive-comparative research, the
researcher considers two variables which are not manipulated, and
establish a formal procedure to conclude that one is better than the other.
For example, an examination body wants to determine the better method
of conducting tests between paper-based and computer-based tests.
❖ Correlative Survey - Correlative used to determine whether the
relationship between two variables is positive, negative, or neutral. That is,
if two variables, say X and Y are directly proportional, inversely
proportional or are not related to each other.

Examples of Descriptive Research -

▪ Comparing Student Performance - An academic institution may wish to

compare the performance of its junior high school students in English
language and Mathematics. This may be used to classify students based on
two major groups, with one group going ahead to study while courses,
while the other study courses in the Arts and Humanities field. Students
who are more proficient in mathematics will be encouraged to go into
STEM and vice versa. Institutions may also use this data to identify
student’s weak points and work on ways to assist them.
▪ Scientific Classification - During major scientific classification of plants,
animals, and periodic table elements, the characteristics and components
of each subject are evaluated and used to determine how they are classified.
For example, living things may be classified into kingdom Planet or
kingdom animal is depending on their nature. Further classification may
group animals into mammals, pieces, vertebrae, invertebrates, etc.
▪ Human Behaviour - When studying human behaviour based on a factor
or event, the researcher observes the characteristics, behaviour, and
reaction, then use it to conclude.
▪ Define respondent characteristics - The aim of using close-ended
questions is to draw concrete conclusions about the respondents. This
could be the need to derive patterns, traits, and behaviours of the
respondents. It could also be to understand from a respondent, their attitude
or opinion about the phenomenon. For example, understanding from
millennials the hours per week they spend on browsing the internet. All
this information helps the organization researching to make informed
business decisions.
▪ Validate existing conditions - Researchers widely use descriptive
research to help ascertain the research object’s prevailing conditions and
 underlying patterns. Due to the non-invasive research method and the use
of quantitative observation and some aspects of qualitative observation,
researchers observe each variable and conduct an in-depth analysis.
Researchers also use it to validate any existing conditions that may be
prevalent in a population.
▪ Conduct research at different times - The analysis can be conducted at
different periods to ascertain any similarities or differences. This also
allows any number of variables to be evaluated. For verification, studies
on prevailing conditions can also be repeated to draw trends.

Characteristics of descriptive research -

Some distinctive characteristics of

descriptive research are -

➢ Quantitative research - Descriptive research is a quantitative

research method that attempts to collect quantifiable information for
statistical analysis of the population sample. It is a popular market research
tool that allows us to collect and describe the demographic segment’s
nature.
➢ Uncontrolled variables - In descriptive research, none of the variables are
influenced in any way. This uses observational methods to conduct the
research. Hence, the nature of the variables or their behaviour is not in the
hands of the researcher.
➢ Cross-sectional studies - Descriptive research is generally a cross-
sectional study where different sections belonging to the same group are
studied.
➢ The basis for further research - Researchers further research the data
collected and analysed from descriptive research using different research
techniques. The data can also help point towards the types of research
methods used for the subsequent research.
➢ Qualitative research - It can also be carried out using the qualitative
research method, to properly describe the research problem. This is
because descriptive research is more explanatory than exploratory or
experimental.

Advantages of descriptive research -

Some of the significant advantages of

descriptive research are-
 ✓ Data collection - A researcher can conduct descriptive research using
specific methods like observational method, case study method and survey
method. Between these three, all primary data collection methods are
covered, which provides a lot of information. This can be used for future
research or even developing a hypothesis of one’s research object.
✓ Varied - Since the data collected is qualitative and quantitative, it gives a
holistic understanding of a research topic. The information is varied,
diverse and thorough.
✓ Natural environment - Descriptive research allows for the research to be
conducted in the respondent’s natural environment, which ensures that
high-quality and honest data is collected.
✓ Quick to perform and cheap - As the sample size is generally large in
descriptive research, the data collection is quick to conduct and is
inexpensive.

Disadvantages of Descriptive Research -

Some of the disadvantages of

descriptive research -

✓ Response and Non-response Bias - Respondents may either decide not to

respond to questions or give incorrect responses if they feel the questions
are too confidential. When researchers use observational methods,
respondents may also decide to behave in a particular manner because they
feel they are being watched.
✓ The researcher may decide to influence the result of the research due to
personal opinion or bias towards a particular subject. For example, a
stockbroker who also has a business of his own may try to lure investors
into investing in his own company by manipulating results.
✓ A case-study or sample taken from a large population is not representative
of the whole population.
✓ Limited scope - The scope of descriptive research is limited to the what of
research, with no information on why thereby limiting the scope of the
research.

Descriptive research methods -

There are three distinctive methods to conduct

descriptive research. They are -

• Observational Method - The observational method allows researchers to

collect data based on their view of the behaviour and characteristics of the
respondent, with the respondents themselves not directly having an input.
 It is often used in market research, psychology and some other social
science research to understand human behaviour. It is also an important
aspect of physical scientific research, with it being one of the most
effective methods of conducting descriptive research. This process can be
said to be either quantitative or qualitative. Quantitative observation
involved the objective collection of numerical data, whose results can be
analysed using numerical and statistical methods. Qualitative observation,
on the other hand, involves the monitoring of characteristics and not the
measurement of numbers. The researcher makes his observation from a
distance, records it and is used to inform conclusions.
• Case Study Method - A case study is a sample group (an individual, a
group of people, organizations, events etc.) whose characteristics are used
to describe the characteristics of a larger group in which the case study is
a subgroup. The information gathered from investigating a case study may
be generalized to serve the larger group. This generalization, may,
however, be risky because case studies are not sufficient to make accurate
predictions about larger groups. Case studies are a poor case of
generalization.
• Survey Research - This is a very popular data collection method in
research designs. In survey research, researchers create a survey or
questionnaire and distribute it to respondents who give answers. Generally,
it is used to obtain quick information directly from the primary source and
also conducting rigorous quantitative and qualitative research. In some
cases, survey research uses a blend of both qualitative and quantitative
strategies.

Conclusion -

The uniqueness of descriptive research partly lies in its ability to

explore both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Therefore, when
conducting descriptive research, researchers have the opportunity to use a wide
variety of techniques that aids the research process. Descriptive research explores
research problems in-depth, beyond the surface level thereby giving a detailed
description of the research subject. That way, it can aid further research in the
field, including other research methods. It is also very useful in solving real-life
problems in various fields of social sciences, physical sciences and education.