Advanced Research Methods

UNIT 2
TYPES OF RESEARCH

D r. – I n g . A s i e K e m a l J a b i r

Dr.-Ing. Asie Kemal Jabir

Lesson 1: Classification of Research
Lesson 2: Basic and Applied Research
Lesson 3: Descriptive, Explanatory, and Exploratory
Research
Lesson 4: Quantitative and Qualitative Research

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1. Classification of Research

 There are several schemes available for classification of research.

 The most common classifications are
A. Classification based on goal of research
a. Pure / basic research
b. Applied research

B. Classification based on specific objectives of research

a. Exploratory
b. Descriptive
c. Explanatory

C. Classification based on approaches of research

a. Quantitative
b. Qualitative

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 D. Classification based on designs
a. Experimental
b. Quasi-experimental
c. Non Experimental

E. Classification based on data used in research

a. Primary / field research
b. Field / desk research

F. Classification based on Fields of Study

a. Natural Science Research
b. Social Sciences Research
c. Behaviourial Sciences Research

 No one classification scheme fits and suits all the scientific disciplines
 In some disciplines, research may be conveniently classified as basic and
applied
 Still in other disciplines, research may be classified as qualitative and
quantitative
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2. Basic and Applied Research
2.1 Basic /Pure/ Fundamental Research

Definition
Basic research is theoretical and experimental work undertaken to
primarily acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundations of
phenomena and observable facts.
type: theoretical and experimental
aim: to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundation of
phenomena and observable facts

What is theory ??
“a coherent set of general propositions, used as principles of
explanation of the amount of the apparent relationships of certain
observed phenomena”

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 Its primary objective is the
 advancement (new, expand, improve) of knowledge in particular
field of enquiry.
 i.e., research carried out for knowledge sake
 It is often driven by curiosity in a scientific question and motivated by
a need to expand human knowledge
 How did the universe begin?
 What are protons, neutrons, and electrons composed of?
 What is the specific genetic code of the fruit fly?
 Its results are often of no immediate practical value
 It may take the following forms

 Discovery – new idea or explanation emerges

 Invention – new technique or method
 Reflection – re-examining existing theory in a new context
 Basic research lays the foundation for applied research

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2.2 Applied Scientific Research

Definition:
It is a research undertaken to solve practical problems and improve
the human condition
E.g engineering researches, environmental research

 The methodology is not as rigorous as basic research

 Unlike basic research, it is evaluated in terms of local applicability (not
universal validity)

Note:
 It is difficult to draw boundary between basic and applied research (Not
mutually exclusive). Both sides of the same coin.
 Researches often have both theoretical and practical implications

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Pure mathematics Applied Mathematics

Deals with abstract concepts, mathematical Deals with real physical objects
entities - solid mechanic
+numbers, points, lines, vectors, sets - fluid mechanics

Concerned with the application of

Concerned in developing mathematical mathematics to solve solid, fluid
theorems. problems
+Theorems are mathematical truth that are
accompanied by proof Find PDE to model the physical problem
+They are derived from Axioms through
deductive reasoning Find solution to the physical problem
PDE
+Does it have a solution – Existence
theorem
+Is the solution unique – Uniquness theorem

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 Criterion Basic Research (BR) Applied Research (AR)

Success Discovery of new idea, Contributes to the solution specific

phenomena, theory etc practical problem (1)

Improves general
understanding

Socio political Due to discovery of new Due to (1), it is an instrument in

effect ideas, phenomena, and the service of its patrons
improved understanding; (governments, politicians,
it may set new socio- commercial entrepreneurs etc)
political agenda. It may AR is subordinate to the social,
shape social and political political, economic aims
goals.
Climate change
Green Economy

Enlightening Instrumental

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Lesson 3: Exploratory, Descriptive, Explanatory
Research
3.1 Exploratory Research

Definition
It is a research that is undertaken to gain basic background information and initial
insight about a phenomena under study when the phenomena understudy has
not been explored before or is large and complex.

 Phenomena under study is not explored before or huge and complex,

 Few or no basic information available or
 Key research issues or questions are not known
 Therefore, to
 identify the key issues ,

 have better understanding of the problem and

 formulate the research question

 Conduct Exploratory research

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 Generally, exploratory research is a precursor to a formal and more rigorous
research. It helps to
 determine the best research design,
 develop better hypotheses,
 understand how to measure a variable,
 determine best data collection method,

 The main methods that are employed in exploratory research include

Literature review

 Focus group discussion, informal discussion
 Interviews
 Case studies
 Pilot studies
 The methods are cost and time saving
 The results of exploratory research are not usually useful for decision-making
by themselves, but they can provide significant insight into a given situation.

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3.2 Descriptive Research Methods
Definition
It is a research that is undertaken in order to describe and interpret a
phenomena understudy. It gives answers for what is.

describes and interpret a phenomena under study as is.

 The approach extensively relies on

 Description
 Classification
 Comparison
 Similarities and difference, and
 Interpretation
 It describe and interpret some aspect of a phenomena

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 Descriptive research involves a variety of research methods; surveys,
correlation studies, observation studies, and case study…..

3.2.1 Surveys

Studies carried out to gather data for the purpose of

 describing the nature of the existing conditions, or
 comparing existing conditions against standards, or
 determining the relationships that exist between specific events.

E.g., National health survey, National Census survey

Surveys could be cross-sectional or longitudinal

Cross-sectional
One-shot data gathering (economical and efficient) covering a wide
target
Longitudinal
 Continuous data gathering (time series data) covering a specific target
 It generates numerical data
 It provides descriptive, inferential and explanatory information

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3.2.2 Correlational Studies

Studies undertaken to trace relationships (non causal and non

conditional) among two or more variables in order to gain greater
situational insight.

E.g., If we are interested to identify relationship between

University degree and annual income
Inflation and unemployment
Gender and choice of field of study
Soil index parameters and engineering properties

Such studies may reveal that, the variables may be

 positively correlated
 negatively correlated or
 have no correlations at all

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3.2.3 Observation Studies:
 Research undertaken to observe and record the behavior, attribute, or
trait of the research subject as it occurs in its natural environment
 Salient features:

 Noninterference
 Observation of phenomena in the real world
 Useful when subject is little or not known
 Describes a phenomena but not why it occurred

3.2.4 Case Studies

 Research that is undertaken to provide detailed contextual analysis of
a limited number of events or conditions and their relationships
 Provides a very engaging, rich exploration of a project or application
as it develops in the real world.

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3.3 Explanatory Research Methods (Causal Research)
 Research that is undertaken to establish causal relationships of two or
more variables of phenomena understudy.
 It frequently includes exploratory and descriptive elements but goes
beyond this to
 identify and explore the causes lying behind the effects and
 the nature of the relationships between the two.
 There are two types of explanatory researches

3.3.1 Experimental research

 Experiments are best method to carryout explanatory study (causal
relationship).
 This is because experiments offer a great deal of control.
“ In an experiment, the researcher manipulate one or more causal
variable to examine the effect on one or more outcome variables while
holding all other variables constant. “
 Experiments could be laboratory experiments, field experiments, or
computer based numerical experiments.
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 3.3.2 Ex post facto research

 It means after the fact or retrospectively

 studying the independent variables in retrospect for their possible
relationship to, and effects on, the dependent variable
 Ex.: Studying causes of fatal traffic accidents

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Lesson 4: Qualitative and Quantitative Research

4.1 Qualitative Research:

A research that focuses on interpretation of phenomena in their

natural settings to make sense in terms of the meanings people bring
to these settings. It involves collecting information about personal
experiences, introspection, life story, interviews, observations, historical,
interactions and visual text which are significant moments and
meaningful in peoples' lives.

 Describes behavioral aspects and other factors studied in the social

sciences and humanities.
 Looks for meaning
 No attempt to quantify results through statistical summary or
analysis.

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 Qualitative techniques
used:
Interview attitudes,
Observation Gain insight behaviours,
Correspondence (emails, in to Why? value systems,
letters, memos) concerns,
Diaries motivations,
Audio recordings aspirations,
Video recordings culture.
Feedback forms lifestyles.
Pictures
Artefacts (products)

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4.2 Quantitative Research:

Quantitative research is the numerical representation and manipulation

of observations for the purpose of describing and explaining the
phenomena that those observations reflect.

 develop and employ mathematical models, theories and

hypotheses pertaining to natural phenomena
 based on measurements
 starts with a theory or a general statement proposing a general
relationship between variables.
 involves collecting and analyzing numerical data and applying
statistical tests.

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4.3 Characteristics of Qualitative and Quantitative Research

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4.4 Difference between quantitative and qualitative method

Criterion Quantitative Qualitative

Research Positivist / Post-positivist Naturalist
philosophy
Reality Single shared reality Multiple reality

The Neutral observer Affects and affected by the subject

researcher under study
Research Set at the beginning, rigid Evolves with the research, flexible
design (measurements, questions)
Data / Objective Subjective /
observation numerical Contextualized
Method Structured data collection Unstructured data collection
Analysis Statistical, Causative Descriptive
Goal Develop a body of Develop a body of knowledge that is
knowledge in the form of unique to the individual being
generalization studied
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