Types of Research

1. Based on Application of Research Method

Is the research applied to theoretical or practical issues? If it deals with
concepts, principles, or abstract things, it is a pure research. This type of research
aims to increase your knowledge about something. However, if your
intention is to apply your chosen research to societal problems or issues,
finding ways to make positive changes in society, you call your research,
applied research.
2. Based on Purpose of the Research
Depending on your objective or goal in conducting research, you
do any of these types of research: descriptive, correlational, explanatory,
exploratory, or action.
12 • PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1
Descriptive Research – This type of research aims at defining or giving
a verbal portrayal or picture of a person, thing, event, group, situation,
etc. This is liable to repeated research because its topic relates itself only
to a certain period or a limited number of years. Based on the results of
your descriptive studies about a subject, you develop the inclination of
conducting further studies on such topic.
Correlational Research – A correlational research shows relationships
or connectedness of two factors, circumstances, or agents called variables
that affect the research. It is only concerned in indicating the existence
of a relationship, not the causes and ways of the development of such
relationship.
Explanatory Research – This type of research elaborates or explains
not just the reasons behind the relationship of two factors, but also the ways
by which such relationship exists.
Exploratory Research – An exploratory research’s purpose is to find
out how reasonable or possible it is to conduct a research study on a certain
topic. Here, you will discover ideas on topics that could trigger your interest
in conducting research studies.
Action Research – This type of research studies an ongoing practice of a
school, organization, community, or institution for the purpose of obtaining
results that will bring improvements in the system.
3. Based on Types of Data Needed
The kind of data you want to work on reflects whether you wish to do
a quantitative or a qualitative research.
Qualitative research requires non-numerical data, which means that the
research uses words rather than numbers to express the results, the inquiry,
or investigation about people’s thoughts, beliefs, feelings, views, and
lifestyles regarding the object of the study. These opinionated answers from
people are not measurable; so, verbal language is the right way to express
your findings in a qualitative research.
Meanwhile, quantitative research involves measurement of data.
Thus, it presents research findings referring to the number or frequency
of something in numerical forms (i.e., using percentages, fractions,
numbers).
The data you deal with in research are either primary or secondary
data. Primary data are obtained through direct observation or contact with
people, objects, artifacts, paintings, etc. Primary data are new and original
information resulting from your sensory experience. However, if such data
have already been written about or reported on and are available for reading
purposes, they exist as secondary data.
UNIT I – NATURE OF INQUIRY AND RESEARCH • 13
Approaches to Research
After choosing your topic for research, what is your next move? In other words,
how are you going to approach or begin your research, deal with your data, and
establish a connection among all things or activities involved in your research? There
are three approaches that you can choose from.
The first is the scientific or positive approach, in which you discover and measure
information as well as observe and control variables in an impersonal manner. It
allows control of variables. Therefore, the data gathering techniques appropriate for
this approach are structured interviews, questionnaires, and observational checklists.
Data given by these techniques are expressed through numbers, which means that this
method is suitable for quantitative research.
The second approach is the naturalistic approach. In contrast to the scientific
approach that uses numbers to express data, the naturalistic approach uses words.
This research approach directs you to deal with qualitative data that speak of how
people behave toward their surroundings. These are non-numerical data that express
truths about the way people perceive or understand the world. Since people look
at their world in a subjective or personal basis in an uncontrolled or unstructured
manner, a naturalistic approach happens in a natural setting.
Is it possible to plan your research activities based on these two approaches?
Combining these two approaches in designing your research leads you to the third one,
called triangulation approach. In this case, you are free to gather and analyze data using
multiple methods, allowing you to combine or mix up research approaches, research
types, data gathering, and data analysis techniques. Triangulation approach gives
you the opportunity to view every angle of the research from different perspectives.
(Badke 2012; Silverman 2013)

Activity 1
Directions: PAIR WORK. Do the following activities with a partner:
1. Identify the specific type of research for each given topic by entering the
letter of the research type in the correct column. Likewise, below the letter
representing your answer, write the importance of such research in your
day-to-day life.
Action Pure Applied Descriptive Explanatory Correlation
a. Theory of Relativity
b. University Belt Street Foods
c. Landline vs. Cellphone
d. Reasons Behind Tuition Fee Increases
e. Manila Flash Flood Solutions
f. College Assessment Practices
g. Critical Thinking and Creative Thinking in Learning-Teaching
Situations
h. The Why and How of Internet Use
i. Effects of Korean Telenovelas on Filipino TV Viewers
j. Digital Age
k. Teaching Through PowerPoint Presentations
l. Archimedes’ Principle of Buoyancy