Research

Methodology
and its different
Types
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CSE(2020-2024)
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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
PROJ – CS601
Research Methodology
Research methodology is a way of explaining how a researcher intends to carry out their research. It's a
logical, systematic plan to resolve a research problem. A methodology details a researcher's approach to
the research to ensure reliable, valid results that address their aims and objectives. It encompasses what
data they're going to collect and where from, as well as how it's being collected and analyzed.

Research is mainly done to gain knowledge to support a survey or quest regarding a particular
conception or theory and to reach a resolute conclusion regarding the same. Research is generally an
approach for gaining knowledge which is required to interpret, write, delve further and to distribute
data.

For ensuring that a fulfilling experience is delivered, it is essential that the Research is premium in its
quality and that’s where Research Methods come to the rescue.
Types of Research Methodology
1. Descriptive Research

2. Analytical Research

3. Applied Research

4. Fundamental Research

5. Quantitative Research

6. Qualitative Research

7. Conceptual Research

8. Empirical Research
Descriptive Research:
Descriptive Research is a form of research that incorporates surveys as well as different varieties of fact-
finding investigations. This form of research is focused on describing the prevailing state of affairs as they
are. Descriptive Research is also termed as Ex post facto research.
This research form emphasizes on factual reporting, the researcher cannot control the involved variables and
can only report the details as they took place or as they are taking place.
Researchers mainly make use of a descriptive research approach for purposes such as when the research is
aimed at deciphering characteristics, frequencies or trends.
The descriptive research methods are mainly, observations, surveys as well as case studies.
Analytical Research:
Analytical Research is a form of research where the researcher has to make do with the data and factual
information available at their behest and interpret this information to undertake an acute evaluation of the
data.
This form of research is often undertaken by researchers to uncover some evidence that supports their present
research and which makes it more authentic. It is also undertaken for concocting fresh ideas relating to the
topic on which the research is based.
From conducting meta analysis, literary research or scientific trials and learning public opinion, there are
many methods through which this research is done.
Applied Research
When a business or say, the society is faced with an issue that needs an immediate solution or resolution,
Applied Research is the research type that comes to the rescue.
We primarily make use of Applied Research when it comes to resolving the issues plaguing our daily lives,
impacting our work, health or welfare. This research type is undertaken to uncover solutions for issues
relating to varying sectors like education, engineering, psychology or business.
For instance, a company might employ an applied researcher for concluding the best possible approach of
selecting employees that would be the best fit for specific positions in the company.
The crux of Applied Research is to figure out the solution to a certain growing practical issue.
The 3 Types of Applied Research are mainly :
1. Evaluation Research - Research where prevailing data regarding the topic is interpreted to arrive at
proper decisions
2. Research and Development - Where the focus is on setting up fresh products or services which focus on
the target market requirements
3. Action Research - Which aims at offering practical solutions for certain business issues by giving them
proper direction, are the 3 types of Applied Research.
Fundamental Research
This is a Research type that is primarily concerned with formulating a theory or understanding a particular natural phenomenon.
Fundamental Research aims to discover information with an extensive application base, supplementing the existing concepts in a
certain field or industry.
Research on pure mathematics or research regarding generalization of the behavior of humans are also examples of Fundamental
Research. This form of research is mainly carried out in sectors like Education, Psychology and Science.
For instance, in Psychology fundamental research assists the individual or the company in gaining better insights regarding certain
behaviors such as deciphering how consumption of caffeine can possibly impact the attention span of a student or how culture
stereotypes can possibly trigger depression.
Quantitative Research
Quantitative Research, as the name suggests, is based on the measurement of a particular amount or quantity of a particular
phenomenon. It focuses on gathering and interpreting numerical data and can be adopted for discovering any averages or patterns
or for making predictions.
This form of Research is number based and it lies under the two main Research Types. It makes use of tables, data and graphs to
reach a conclusion. The outcomes generated from this research are measurable and can be repeated unlike the outcomes of
qualitative research. This research type is mainly adopted for scientific and field based research.
Quantitative research generally involves a large number of people and a huge section of data and has a lot of scope for accuracy in
it.
These research methods can be adopted for approaches like descriptive, correlational or experimental research.
Descriptive research - The study variables are analyzed and a summary of the same is seeked.
Correlational Research - The relationship between the study variables is analyzed.
Experimental Research - It is deciphered to analyze whether a cause and effect relationship between the variables exists.
Qualitative Research
As the name suggests, this form of Research is more considered with the quality of a certain phenomenon, it dives
into the “why” alongside the “what”. For instance, let’s consider a gender neutral clothing store which has more
women visiting it than men.
Qualitative research would be determining why men are not visiting the store by carrying out an in-depth
interview of some potential customers in this category.
This form of research is interested in getting to the bottom of the reasons for human behavior, understanding why
certain actions are taken by people or why they think certain thoughts.
Through this research the factors influencing people into behaving in a certain way or which control their
preferences towards a certain thing can be interpreted.
The Types of Qualitative Research includes the following methods :
Qualitative research methods:
Observations: In this method what the researcher sees, hears of or encounters is recorded in detail.
Interviews: Personally asking people questions in one-on-one conversations.
Focus groups: This involves asking questions and discussions among a group of people to generate conclusions
from the same.
Surveys: In these surveys unlike the quantitative research surveys, the questionnaires involve extensive open
ended questions that require elaborate answers.
Secondary research: Gathering the existing data such as images, texts or audio or video recordings. This can
involve a text analysis, a research of a case study, or an In-depth interview.
Conceptual Research
This research is related to an abstract idea or a theory. It is adopted by thinkers and
philosophers with the aim of developing a new concept or to re-examine the existing concepts.
Conceptual Research is mainly defined as a methodology in which the research is conducted
by observing and interpreting the already present information on a present topic. It does not
include carrying out any practical experiments.
This methodology has often been adopted by famous Philosophers like Aristotle, Copernicus,
Einstein and Newton for developing fresh theories and insights regarding the working of the
world and for examining the existing ones from a different perspective.
The concepts were set up by philosophers to observe their environment and to sort, study, and
summaries the information available.
Empirical Research
This is a research method that focuses solely on aspects like observation and experience, without
focusing on the theory or system. It is based on data and it can churn conclusions that can be
confirmed or verified through observation and experiment. Empirical Research is mainly undertaken
to determine proof that certain variables are affecting the others in a particular way.

This kind of research can also be termed as Experimental Research. In this research it is essential that
all the facts are received firsthand, directly from the source so that the researcher can actively go and
carry out the actions and manipulate the concerned materials to gain the information he requires.

In this research a hypothesis is generated and then a path is undertaken to confirm or invalidate this
hypothesis. The control that the researcher holds over the involved variables defines this research.
The researcher can manipulate one of these variables to examine its effect.
THANK YOU!!