RESEARCH

Research is seen as the process of finding solution to a problem exploring an
idea, probing an issue, accepting or rejecting an assumption, concept, point of

view or an argument by gathering data and using materials beyond our
personal intuitions and experiences.
Types of research
Descriptive Research
Qualitative Research
Experimental Research
Correlational Research
Descriptive Research
Descriptive research is designed to provide a snapshot of the current state of affairs. It aims to
accurately and systematically describe a population, situation or phenomenon. It can answer
what, where, when and how questions, but not why questions. It cannot describe what caused a
situation.
A descriptive research design can use a wide variety of research methods to investigate one or
more variables. It provides a relatively complete picture of what is occurring at a given time. It
allows the development of questions for further study.
The research design should be carefully developed to ensure that the results are valid and
reliable.
Descriptive research generally precedes explanatory research.
Examples of Descriptive Research are: case studies, surveys and tests, naturalistic observation,
and laboratory observation.
Qualitative research
According to Wikipedia, Qualitative research is a type of research that aims to gather and
analyze non-numerical data in order to gain an understanding of individuals’ social reality,
including understanding their attitudes, beliefs, and motivation. Qualitative research generally
includes data in form of words rather than numbers. It is especially appropriate for answering
questions of why something is (not) observed, assessing complex multi-component interventions,
and focusing on intervention improvement.
The methods used mainly involves interviews, focus groups, observations or documents analysis
to get a detailed understanding of complex issues, behaviors, or experiences.
Experimental Research
Experimental Research is a study conducted with a scientific approach using two sets of
variables, the independent variables and dependent variables.
One set act as a constant, which you use to measure the differences of the second set.
Experimental research is designed to assess cause and effect. It assess the causal impact of one or
more experimental manipulations on a dependent variable. It allows conclusions to be drawn
about the causal relationships among variables.
If you do not have enough data to support your decisions, you must first determine the facts.
Experimental Research gathers the data necessary to help you make better decisions.
This research allows you to test new ideas in a controlled environment before marketing. It also
provides the best method to test your theory.
Quantitative research methods, for example, are experimental.
Some advantages are:
After analyzing the results, you can apply your findings to similar ideas or situations
The results are specific.
The data you collect is a foundation for building more ideas and conducting more research.
Researchers have a stronger hold over variables to obtain desired results.
Correlational Research
Correlational Research – Correlational research is designed to discover relationships among
variables. It allows testing of expected relationships between and among variables and the
making of predictions.
These relationships can be seen in everyday life events, but cannot be used to draw inferences
about cause and effect. It measures the relationship between two variables. Variables can be
behaviours, attitudes, and so on. Anything that can be measured is a potential variable. The key
aspect of correlational research is that all of the participants are providing scores on the same two
variables. Correlational research is not about how an individual scores; rather, it seeks to
understand the association between two things in a larger sample of people.
Examples might be the association between shyness and number of friends made at a conference,
between time spent on social media and grades in school, and so on. Correlational research
designs tend to be relatively less expensive because they are time-limited and can often be
conducted without much equipment.

RESEARCH

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RESEARCH

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Research is seen as the process of finding solution to a problem exploring an

idea, probing an issue, accepting or rejecting an assumption, concept, point of

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