Types of Research Methods

Business research methods can be defined as “a systematic and scientific procedure of data

collection, compilation, analysis, interpretation, and implication pertaining to any business
problem”[1]. Types of research methods can be classified into several categories according to nature
and purpose of the study, methods of data collection, type of data, research design and other
attributes. In methodology chapter of your dissertation, you need to specify and discuss the type of
your research according to the following classifications.

Types of Research Methods According to

Nature of the Study
Types of the research methods according to the nature of research can be divided into two groups:
descriptive and analytical. Descriptive research usually involves surveys and studies that aim to
identify the facts. In other words, descriptive research mainly deals with the “description of the state
of affairs as it is at present”[2], and there is no control over variables in descriptive research.

Analytical research, on the other hand, is fundamentally different in a way that “the researcher has to
use facts or information already available and analyse these in order to make a critical evaluation of
the material”.[3]

Types of Research Methods According to

the Purpose of the Study
According to the purpose of the study, types of research methods can be divided into two categories:
applied research and fundamental research. Applied research is also referred to as action research,
and the fundamental research is sometimes called basic or pure research. The Table 1 below
summarizes the main differences between applied research and fundamental research.
[4] Similarities between applied and fundamental (basic) research relate to the adoption of a
systematic and scientific procedure to conduct the study.[5]

Fundamental   Research Applied Research

      §   Aims to solve a problem by adding to the

§   Tries to eliminate the theory by
adding to the basics of a discipline
§   Problems are analysed from the point
of one discipline
field of application of a discipline
§   Often several disciplines work together for
solving the problem
§   Often researches individual cases without the
 §   Generalisations are preferred

§   Forecasting approach is implemented

aim to generalise
§   Assumes that other variables do not
§   Aims to say how things can be changed
change
§   Acknowledges that other variables are constant
§   Reports are compiled in a language
by changing
of technical language of discipline
§ Reports are compiled in a common language
 

 
Table 1 Differences between applied and fundamental research

Types of Research Methods according

methods of data collection
Types of research methods according to methods of data collection can be broadly divided into
two – quantitative and qualitative categories.

Quantitative research “describes, infers, and resolves problems using numbers. Emphasis is placed
on the collection of numerical data, the summary of those data and the drawing of inferences from
the data”[6]. In simple terms, quantitative research involves figures and calculations in data
collection and analysis.  In quantitative studies research findings are presented via tables, graphs
and charts.

Qualitative research, on the other hand, is based on words, feelings, emotions, sounds and other
non-numerical and unquantifiable elements. It has been noted that “information is considered
qualitative in nature if it cannot be analysed by means of mathematical techniques. This
characteristic may also mean that an incident does not take place often enough to allow reliable data
to be collected”[7]

Types of Research Methods according to

the type of data
According to type of data, types of research methods can be divided into two groups – primary
research and secondary research. Primary research involves the collection of primary data, i.e. the
data which is new, through primary data collection methods such as surveys, interviews, observation
etc.
Secondary research, also called desk-based research, is based solely on the secondary data i.e.
previously conducted studies. Data sources in secondary researches are books, magazines,
industry journals etc. In this type of studies the researcher does not engage in primary data
collection.

It is important to note that primary research also involves secondary research, but opposite is not
true. Specifically, all primary studies involve collection and analysis of secondary data during
literature review stage of the research process. Secondary research, on the other hand, is limited
with the collection and analysis of secondary data.

Types of Research Methods according to

Research Design
On the basis of research design the types of research methods can be divided into two groups –
exploratory and conclusive. Exploratory studies only aim to explore the research area and they do
not attempt to offer final and conclusive answers to research questions. Conclusive studies, on the
contrary, aim to provide final and conclusive answers to research questions.

Table 2 below illustrates the main differences between exploratory and conclusive research designs:

  Exploratory research Conclusive research

Well structured and

Structure Loosely structured in desing
systematic in design

Have a formal and

Are flexible and
definitive methodology that
Methodology investigative in
needs to be followed and
methodology
tested

Most conclusive researches

Do not involve testing of
Hypotheses are carried out to test the
hypotheses
formulated hypotheses

Findings might be topic

Findings are significant as
specific and might not have
Findings they have a theoretical or
much relevance outside of
applied implication
researcher’s domain
Table 2 Main differences between exploratory and conclusive research[8]

My e-book, The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Dissertation in Business Studies: a step by step

assistance contains discussions of research types and application of research methods in
practice. The e-book also explains all stages of the research process starting from the selection of
the research area to writing personal reflection. Important elements of dissertations such
as research philosophy, research approach, research design, methods of data collection and data
analysis, sampling and others are explained in this e-book in simple words.

John Dudovskiy

[1] Bajpai, N. (2011) “Business Research Methods” Pearson Education India

[2] Herbst, F. & Coldwell, D. (2004) Business Research, Juta and Co Ltd, p.15

[3] Herbst, F. & Coldwell, D. (2004) Business Research, Juta and Co Ltd, p.13

[4] Kumar, R. (2008) “Research Methodology” APH Publishing Corporation

[5] Kumar, R. (2008) “Research Methodology” APH Publishing Corporation

[6] Table adapted from Kumar, R. (2008) “Research Methodology” APH Publishing Corporation

[7] Bajpai, N. (2011) “Business Research Methods” Pearson Education India

[8] Chawla, D. & Sodhi, N. (2011) “Research Methodology: Concepts and Cases” Vikas Publishing
House PVT Ltd