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What is Research: Definition, Methods, Types & Examples

What is Research
The search for knowledge is closely linked to the object of study; that is, to the
reconstruction of the facts that will provide an explanation to an observed event
and that at first sight can be considered as a problem. It is very human to seek
answers and satisfy our curiosity. Let’s talk about research.

Content Index

What is Research?
What are the characteristics of research?
What is the purpose of research?
Comparative analysis chart
Types of research methods and example
Qualitative methods
Quantitative methods
8 tips for conducting accurate research
What is Research?
Research is the careful consideration of study regarding a particular concern or
research problem using scientific methods. According to the American sociologist
Earl Robert Babbie, “research is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain,
predict, and control the observed phenomenon. It involves inductive and deductive
methods.”

Inductive methods analyze an observed event, while deductive methods verify the
observed event. Inductive approaches are associated with qualitative research, and
deductive methods are more commonly associated with quantitative analysis.

Research is conducted with a purpose to:

Identify potential and new customers

Understand existing customers
Set pragmatic goals
Develop productive market strategies
Address business challenges
Put together a business expansion plan
Identify new business opportunities
What are the characteristics of research?
Good research follows a systematic approach to capture accurate data. Researchers
need to practice ethics and a code of conduct while making observations or drawing
conclusions.
The analysis is based on logical reasoning and involves both inductive and
deductive methods.
Real-time data and knowledge is derived from actual observations in natural
settings.
There is an in-depth analysis of all data collected so that there are no anomalies
associated with it.
It creates a path for generating new questions. Existing data helps create more
research opportunities.
It is analytical and uses all the available data so that there is no ambiguity in
inference.
Accuracy is one of the most critical aspects of research. The information must be
accurate and correct. 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 experiment’s final result.
Create memorable experiences based on real-time data, insights and advanced
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What is the purpose of research?
There are three main purposes:

Exploratory: As the name suggests, researchers conduct exploratory studies to

explore a group of questions. The answers and analytics may not offer a conclusion
to the perceived problem. It is undertaken to handle new problem areas that haven’t
been explored before. This exploratory data analysis process lays the foundation
for more conclusive data collection and analysis.
LEARN ABOUT: Descriptive Analysis

Descriptive: It focuses on expanding knowledge on current issues through a process

of data collection. Descriptive research describe the behavior of a sample
population. Only one variable is required to conduct the study. The three primary
purposes of descriptive studies are describing, explaining, and validating the
findings. For example, a study conducted to know if top-level management leaders in
the 21st century possess the moral right to receive a considerable sum of money
from the company profit.
LEARN ABOUT: Best Data Collection Tools

Explanatory: Causal research or explanatory research is conducted to understand the

impact of specific changes in existing standard procedures. Running experiments is
the most popular form. For example, a study that is conducted to understand the
effect of rebranding on customer loyalty.
Here is a comparative analysis chart for a better understanding:

Exploratory Research Descriptive Research Explanatory Research

Approach used Unstructured Structured Highly structured
Conducted through Asking questions Asking questions By using hypotheses.
Time Early stages of decision making Later stages of decision making Later
stages of decision making
It begins by asking the right questions and choosing an appropriate method to
investigate the problem. After collecting answers to your questions, you can
analyze the findings or observations to draw reasonable conclusions.

When it comes to customers and market studies, the more thorough your questions,
the better the analysis. You get essential insights into brand perception and
product needs by thoroughly collecting customer data through surveys and
questionnaires. You can use this data to make smart decisions about your marketing
strategies to position your business effectively.

To make sense of your study and get insights faster, it helps to use a research
repository as a single source of truth in your organization and manage your
research data in one centralized data repository.

Types of research methods and Examples

what is research
Research methods are broadly classified as Qualitative and Quantitative.
Both methods have distinctive properties and data collection methods.

Qualitative methods
Qualitative research is a method that collects data using conversational methods,
usually open-ended questions. The responses collected are essentially non-
numerical. This method helps a researcher understand what participants think and
why they think in a particular way.

Types of qualitative methods include:

One-to-one Interview
Focus Groups
Ethnographic studies
Text Analysis
Case Study
Quantitative methods
Quantitative methods deal with numbers and measurable forms. It uses a systematic
way of investigating events or data. It answers questions to justify relationships
with measurable variables to either explain, predict, or control a phenomenon.

Types of quantitative methods include:

Survey research
Descriptive research
Correlational research
LEARN MORE: Descriptive Research vs Correlational Research

Remember, it is only valuable and useful when it is valid, accurate, and reliable.
Incorrect results can lead to customer churn and a decrease in sales.

It is essential to ensure that your data is:

Valid – founded, logical, rigorous, and impartial.

Accurate – free of errors and including required details.
Reliable – other people who investigate in the same way can produce similar
results.
Timely – current and collected within an appropriate time frame.
Complete – includes all the data you need to support your business decisions.
GATHER INSIGHTS

8 tips for conducting accurate research

What is a research - tips
Identify the main trends and issues, opportunities, and problems you observe. Write
a sentence describing each one.
Keep track of the frequency with which each of the main findings appears.
Make a list of your findings from the most common to the least common.
Evaluate a list of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats identified
in a SWOT analysis.
Prepare conclusions and recommendations about your study.
Act on your strategies
Look for gaps in the information, and consider doing additional inquiry if
necessary
Plan to review the results and consider efficient methods to analyze and interpret
results.
Review your goals before making any conclusions about your study. Remember how the
process you have completed and the data you have gathered help answer your
questions. Ask yourself if what your analysis revealed facilitates the
identification of your conclusions and recommendations.
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About the author

Dan Fleetwood
View all posts by Dan Fleetwood

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