TYPES OF RESEARCH

WHAT IS RESEARCH?

The systematic, rigorous investigation of a

situation or problem in order to generate new
knowledge or validate existing knowledge.
 APPLIED
APPLIED RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
APPLIED RESEARCH
BASIC
BASIC RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Applied research refers to scientific study and research that
seeks to solve practical problems. Applied research is used to
CORRELATIONAL
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
find solutions to everyday problems, cure illness, and develop
innovative technologies, rather than to acquire knowledge for
DESCRIPTIVE
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  knowledge's sake.

EXPERIMENTAL
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
For example, applied researchers may investigate ways to:
EXPLORATORY
EXPLORATORY RESEARCH .
RESEARCH .
• Improve agricultural crop production
• Treat or cure a specific disease
HISTORICAL
HISTORICAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
• Improve the energy efficiency of homes, offices, or modes
of transportation
QUALITATIVE

RESEARCH  

QUANTITATIVE
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
RESEARCH
 APPLIED
APPLIED RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
BASIC RESEARCH
BASIC
BASIC RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Basic (aka fundamental or pure ) research is driven by a
scientist's curiosity or interest in a scientific question.
CORRELATIONAL
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
Generation of theory . It is related to natural phenomena and
mathematical problem
DESCRIPTIVE
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  The main motivation is to expand man's knowledge, not to
create or invent something. There is no obvious commercial
EXPERIMENTAL
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  value to the discoveries that result from basic research.

EXPLORATORY
EXPLORATORY RESEARCH .
RESEARCH .
For example, basic science investigations probe for answers
to questions such as:
HISTORICAL
HISTORICAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 

• How did the universe begin?

QUALITATIVE • What are protons, neutrons, and electrons composed of?
• How do slime molds reproduce?
• What is the specific genetic code of the fruit fly?
RESEARCH  

QUANTITATIVE
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
RESEARCH
 APPLIED
APPLIED RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
BASIC
BASIC RESEARCH
RESEARCH

Correlational research refers to the systematic investigation or

CORRELATIONAL
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  statistical study of relationships among two or more variables,
without necessarily determining cause and effect.
DESCRIPTIVE
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
It Seeks to establish a relation/association/correlation
EXPERIMENTAL
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  between two or more variables that do not readily lend
themselves to experimental manipulation.
EXPLORATORY
EXPLORATORY RESEARCH .
RESEARCH .
For example, to test the hypothesis “ Listening to music lowers
blood pressure levels” there are 2 ways of conducting research
HISTORICAL
HISTORICAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
• Experimental – group samples and make one group listen to
music and then compare the bp levels
QUALITATIVE
• Survey – ask people how they feel ? How often they listen?
And then compare
RESEARCH  

QUANTITATIVE
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
RESEARCH
 APPLIED
APPLIED RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
BASIC
BASIC RESEARCH
RESEARCH

Advantages:
CORRELATIONAL
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
1) Can collect much information from many subjects at
DESCRIPTIVE
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  one time.
2) Can study a wide range of variables and their
EXPERIMENTAL
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  interrelations.
3) Study variables that are not easily produced in the
laboratory.
EXPLORATORY
EXPLORATORY RESEARCH .
RESEARCH .

HISTORICAL
HISTORICAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  Disadvantages:

1) Correlation does not indicate causation( cause and

QUALITATIVE
effect).
2) Problems with self-report method .
RESEARCH  

QUANTITATIVE
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
RESEARCH
 APPLIED
APPLIED RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH

BASIC
BASIC RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Descriptive research refers to research that provides an
accurate portrayal of characteristics of a particular individual,
CORRELATIONAL
CORRELATIONAL situation, or group. Descriptive research, also known
as statistical research/ex post facto
RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  It gives description of state of affairs

DESCRIPTIVE
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  These studies are a means of discovering new meaning,
describing what exists, determining the frequency with which
EXPERIMENTAL
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
something occurs, and categorizing information.
In short descriptive research deals with everything that can be
EXPLORATORY
EXPLORATORY RESEARCH .
RESEARCH . counted and studied, which has an impact of the lives of the
people it deals with.
HISTORICAL
HISTORICAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
For example,
• finding the most frequent disease that affects the children of a
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH   town. The reader of the research will know what to do to
prevent that disease thus, more people will live a healthy life.
QUANTITATIVE
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
RESEARCH
• Frequency of shopping etc
 APPLIED
APPLIED RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH
BASIC
BASIC RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Advantages:
CORRELATIONAL
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
• The people individual studied are unaware so they act
naturally or as they usually do in everyday situation;
DESCRIPTIVE
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  • It is less expensive and time consuming than quantitative
experiments;
EXPERIMENTAL
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  • Collects a large amount of notes for detailed studying;
• As it is used to describe and not make any conclusions it is
EXPLORATORY
EXPLORATORY RESEARCH .
RESEARCH . to start the research with it;

HISTORICAL
HISTORICAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
Disadvantages

QUALITATIVE • Descriptive research requires more skills.

• Does not identify cause behind a phenomenon
• Response rate is low in this research.
RESEARCH   • Results of this research can change over the period of
time. 
QUANTITATIVE
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
RESEARCH
 APPLIED
APPLIED RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
BASIC
BASIC RESEARCH
RESEARCH
 Experimental research /empirical is an objective, systematic,
controlled investigation for the purpose of predicting and
CORRELATIONAL
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
controlling phenomena and examining probability and
causality among selected variables.
DESCRIPTIVE
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  Eg:
The controlled laborartory experiments
EXPERIMENTAL
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
Advantages
EXPLORATORY
EXPLORATORY RESEARCH .
RESEARCH .
• Best establishes cause-and-effect relationships
HISTORICAL
HISTORICAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
Disadvantages

QUALITATIVE • Artificiality

• Feasibility
RESEARCH  
• Unethical
QUANTITATIVE
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
RESEARCH
 APPLIED
APPLIED RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
HISTORICAL RESEARCH
BASIC
Historical research is research involving analysis of events
BASIC RESEARCH
RESEARCH
that occurred in the remote or recent past
CORRELATIONAL
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
Application
DESCRIPTIVE
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  • Historical research can show patterns that occurred in the past
and over time which can help us to see where we came from
EXPERIMENTAL
and what kinds of solutions we have used in the past.
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
• Understanding this can add perspective on how we examine
current events and educational practices.
EXPLORATORY
EXPLORATORY RESEARCH .
RESEARCH .

HISTORICAL
HISTORICAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  The steps involved in the conduct of historical research
Here are the five steps:
1. Identification of the research topic and formulation of the
QUALITATIVE research problem or question.
2. Data collection or literature review
RESEARCH   3. Evaluation of materials
4. Data synthesis
5. Report preparation or preparation of the narrative exposition
QUANTITATIVE
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
RESEARCH
 APPLIED
APPLIED RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
HISTORICAL RESEARCH
BASIC
BASIC RESEARCH
RESEARCH  Historical research gives a social scientist a better context for
making realistic decisions.
CORRELATIONAL
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
 Strengths
DESCRIPTIVE
• Provides a comprehensive picture of historical trends
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
• Uses existing information
• Provides evidence of on-going trends and problems
EXPERIMENTAL
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 

Limitations
EXPLORATORY
EXPLORATORY RESEARCH .
RESEARCH . • Time-consuming
• Resources may be hard to locate
HISTORICAL
HISTORICAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  • Resources may be conflicting
• May not identify cause of a problem
• Information may be incomplete, obsolete, inconclusive, or
QUALITATIVE inaccurate
• Data restricted to what already exists
RESEARCH  

QUANTITATIVE
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
RESEARCH
 APPLIED
APPLIED RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 

BASIC
BASIC RESEARCH
RESEARCH
On a broader perspective, all researches
can be classified into two groups:
CORRELATIONAL
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 

DESCRIPTIVE
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 

EXPERIMENTAL
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
• Qualitative Research
EXPLORATORY
EXPLORATORY RESEARCH .
RESEARCH .

• Quantitative Research
HISTORICAL
HISTORICAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 

QUALITATIVE

RESEARCH  

QUANTITATIVE
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
RESEARCH
 APPLIED
APPLIED RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
BASIC
BASIC RESEARCH
RESEARCH

Qualitative research is research dealing with phenomena that are

CORRELATIONAL
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  difficult or impossible to quantify mathematically, such as beliefs,
meanings, attributes, and symbols
DESCRIPTIVE
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 

EXPERIMENTAL
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
Qualitative researchers aim to gather an in-depth
understanding of human behaviour and the reasons that
EXPLORATORY
EXPLORATORY RESEARCH .
RESEARCH .
govern such behaviour. The qualitative method investigates
the why and how of decision making, not just what, where,
HISTORICAL
HISTORICAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  when.

QUALITATIVE

RESEARCH  

QUANTITATIVE
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
RESEARCH
 QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
APPLIED
APPLIED RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
 Advantages
• It enables more complex aspects of a persons experience to
BASIC
BASIC RESEARCH
RESEARCH
be studied
• Fewer restriction or assumptions are placed on the data to
CORRELATIONAL
CORRELATIONAL be collected.
• Not everything can be quantified, or quantified easily,
RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  Individuals can be studied in more depth
• Good for exploratory research and hypothesis generation
DESCRIPTIVE
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  • The participants are able to provide data in their own words
and in their own way
EXPERIMENTAL
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 

 Disadvantages
EXPLORATORY
EXPLORATORY RESEARCH .
RESEARCH . • It is more difficult to determine the validity and reliability of
linguistic data
HISTORICAL
HISTORICAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  • there is more subjectivity involved in analysing the data.
• “Data overload” – open-ended questions can sometimes
create lots of data, which can take along time to analyse!
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH  
• Time consuming

QUANTITATIVE
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
RESEARCH
 APPLIED
APPLIED RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
Quantitative research refers to the systematic empirical
BASIC
BASIC RESEARCH
RESEARCH investigation of any phenomena via statistical, mathematical or
computational techniques. The objective of quantitative
CORRELATIONAL
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  research is to develop and employ mathematical
models, theories and/or hypotheses pertaining to phenomena
DESCRIPTIVE
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
Quantitative research is generally made using scientific
EXPERIMENTAL
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  methods, which can include:

EXPLORATORY
EXPLORATORY RESEARCH .
RESEARCH .
• The generation of models, theories and hypotheses

• The development of instruments and methods for

HISTORICAL
HISTORICAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
measurement

QUALITATIVE • Experimental control and manipulation of variables

• Collection of empirical data

RESEARCH  
• Modelling and analysis of data
QUANTITATIVE
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
RESEARCH
• Evaluation of results
 APPLIED
APPLIED RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
 Advantages
BASIC
BASIC RESEARCH
RESEARCH • Quantitative research allows the researcher to measure and
analyse data.
CORRELATIONAL
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  • The researcher is more objective about the findings of the
research.
DESCRIPTIVE
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  • Quantitative research can be used to test hypotheses in
experiments because of its ability to measure data using
EXPERIMENTAL
statistics.
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH 

EXPLORATORY
EXPLORATORY RESEARCH .
RESEARCH .  Disadvantages
• The main disadvantage of quantitative research is the
HISTORICAL
HISTORICAL RESEARCH 
RESEARCH  context of the study or experiment is ignored.
• Quantitative research does not study things in a natural
setting or discuss the meaning things have for different
QUALITATIVE people.
• A large sample of the population must be studied for more
RESEARCH   accurate results

QUANTITATIVE
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
RESEARCH
 Types of Research
Descriptive Vs Analytical
• Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding
enquiries of different kinds.
• The major purpose of descriptive research is description of
the state of affairs as it exists at present.
• The main characteristic of this method is that the researcher
has no control over the variables; he can only report what has
happened or what is happening. for example, frequency of
shopping, preferences of people, or similar data
• In analytical research, the researcher has to use facts or
information already available and analyze these to make a
critical evaluation of the material.
 Types of Research….
Applied (or action) Vs Fundamental (Basic)
• Applied research aims at finding a solution for
an immediate problem facing a society or an
industry/business organization.
• Fundamental research is mainly concerned with
generalizations and with the formulation of a
theory. Research concerning some natural
phenomenon or relating to pure mathematics
are examples of fundamental research.
 Types of Research….
Quantitative Vs Qualitative
• Quantitative research is based on the measurement of
quantity or amount.
• Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative
phenomenon.eg opinion research.
• Qualitative research is specially important in the behavioral
sciences where the aim is to discover the underlying motives
of human behavior. Through such research we can analyze the
various factors which motivate people to behave in a
particular manner or which make people like or dislike a
particular thing.
 Types of Research….
Conceptual Vs Empirical
• Conceptual research is that related to some abstract idea or
theory. It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to
develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones.
• Empirical research relies on experience or observation alone,
often without due regard for system and theory.
• Empirical research is a data based research, coming up with
conclusions which arc capable of being verified by observation
or experiment. We can also call it as experimental type of
research, in such a research it is necessary to get at facts
firsthand, at their source, and actively to go about doing
certain things to stimulate the production of desired
information.
 Some other types of Research
• Based on time-One time research, Longitudinal
research
• Based on environment-Field setting research,
Laboratory research, Simulation
• Conclusion oriented & Decision oriented-eg
Operation Research
• Clinical or Diagnostic research
• Historical research-utilizes historical sources like
documents, remains etc. to study events or ideas of
the past, including the philosophy of persons and
groups at any remote point of time.
THANK YOU