 RESEARCH – MEANING & TYPES

Meaning: The word research is derived from the Middle French "recherche", which means "to go
about seeking", the term itself being derived from the Old French term "recerchier" a compound
word from "re-" + "cerchier", or "sercher", meaning 'search'. The earliest recorded use of the term
was in 1577.

Another definition of research is given by , who states that "research is a process

of steps used to collect and analyze information to increase our understanding of a topic or issue".
Research is defined as the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new
and creative way so as to generate new concepts, methodologies and understandings. This could
include synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it leads to new and creative
outcomes.
Research is a process of systematic inquiry that entails collection of data; documentation of critical
information; and analysis and interpretation of that data/information, in accordance with suitable
methodologies set by specific professional fields and academic disciplines.

Different types of Research

Qualitative Research
Qualitative research involves non-numerical data, such as opinions and literature. It uses descriptions
to obtain the meanings and feelings involved in a situation. Businesses often use qualitative research
to determine consumer opinions and reactions.

Quantitative Research
Quantitative research depends on numerical data, such as statistics and measurements, to investigate
specific questions, like who, what, where or when. The results are usually presented in tables or
graphs.
Example: A car manufacturer compares the number of sales of red sedans compared to white sedans.
The research uses objective data—the sales figures for red and white sedans—to draw conclusions.

Fundamental Research
Fundamental research, also known as basic research or pure research does not usually generate
findings that have immediate applications in a practical level. Fundamental research is driven by
curiosity and the desire to expand knowledge in specific research area. This type of research makes a
specific contribution to the academic body of knowledge in the research area.
Opposite to fundamental research is applied research that aims to solve specific problems, thus
findings of applied research do have immediate practical implications.

Applied Research
Applied research is a type of research design that seeks to solve a specific problem or provide
innovative solutions to issues affecting an individual, group or society. It is often referred to as a
scientific method of inquiry or contractual research because it involves the practical application of
scientific methods to everyday problems.
There are 3 types of applied research. These are evaluation research, research and development, and
action research.

 Evaluation Research
Evaluation research is a type of applied research that analyses existing information about a research
subject to arrive at objective research outcomes or reach informed decisions. This type of applied
research is mostly applied in business contexts, for example, an organisation may adopt evaluation
research to determine how to cut down overhead costs.

 Research and Development

Research and development is a type of applied research that is focused on developing new products
and services based on the needs of target markets. It focuses on gathering information about
marketing needs and finding ways to improve on an existing product or create new products that
satisfy the identified needs.

 Action Research
Action research is a type of applied research that is set on providing practical solutions to specific
business problems by pointing the business in the right directions. Typically, action research is a
process of reflective inquiry that is limited to specific contexts and situational in nature.
Example: A teacher collects data about their methods of teaching fifth-grade math. At the end of the
first school quarter, they discovered only 33% of students demonstrated proficiency in the concepts.
As a result, the teacher implements new methods for the second quarter.

Interdisciplinary Research
Interdisciplinarity or interdisciplinary studies involves the combination of multiple academic
disciplines into one activity. It draws knowledge from several other fields like sociology,
anthropology, psychology, economics, etc. It is about creating something by thinking across
boundaries.

Archival Research
Archival research is research that involves searching for and extracting information and evidence
from original archives. Archives are historical – non-current – documents, records and other sources
relating to the activities and claims of individuals, entities or both.

Philosophical Research
Philosophical research deals with issues of fundamental importance and places rigorous intellectual
demands upon those who pursue it. That is why it continues to attract some of the best minds of
every generation.

Causal research
Causal research, also called explanatory research, seeks to determine cause and effect relationships
between variables. It identifies how much one variable may cause a change in the other. Causal
research is important for evaluating current processes and procedures and determining if and how
changes should take place.
 Comparative research
Comparative research identifies similarities and differences between two individuals, subjects or
groups.
Example: A business owner reviews new hire training documentation and discovers that new
employees receive much of the same information at orientation and in their initial departmental
training. The owner incorporates materials into one session to allow more time for department-
specific training.

Cross-sectional research
Cross-sectional, or synchronous, research studies a group or subgroup at one point in time.
Participants are generally chosen based on specific shared characteristics, such as age, gender or
income, and researchers examine the similarities and differences within and between groups. The
group is often used as a representation of a larger population.
Example: A company researches the sales techniques of its top 10% of salespeople and compares
them to those of its bottom 10%. This gives the company insights into the most successful and least
successful sales methods.

Deductive research
Deductive, or theory-testing, research is the opposite of inductive research and moves from the broad
to the specific. Researchers choose a hypothesis and test its accuracy through experimentation or
observation.
Example: Researchers observed that 12 international corporations enacted in-house carbon emissions
standards in the same year. They use deductive research to compare global emissions levels before
and after the measures were enacted.

Exploratory research
Exploratory research examines what is already known about a topic and what additional information
may be relevant. It rarely answers a specific question but instead presents the foundational
knowledge of a subject as a precursor to further research. Often, exploratory research is applied to
lesser-known issues and phenomena.
Example: You may consider what is currently known about the success of yearlong maternity and
paternity leave programs.

Field research
Field research occurs wherever the participants or subjects are or "on location." This type of research
requires onsite observation and data collection.
Example: A manufacturing plant hires an environmental engineering firm to test the air quality at the
plant to ensure it complies with federal health and safety requirements. The researchers travel to the
plant to collect samples.

Fixed research
Fixed research involves procedures determined ahead of time, such as how often testing will take
place, where it will take place, the number of subjects and their types. The research depends on
precise conditions and compliance with predetermined protocols to reduce
variables. Experimentation is often fixed research.
Example: A researcher wants to test how different labels affect consumers' ratings of a sports drink.
Participants are given the same drink with various labels at the same time and take a survey about
taste and overall impressions. The timing of providing each drink and the subsequent surveys are
critical to the study's validity.

Flexible research:
Flexible research allows procedures to change throughout the course of the experiment. The different
types of flexible research include:
 Case studies: Case studies are in-depth analyses and observations about a specific individual
or subject.
 Ethnographic studies: Ethnographic studies are in-depth analyses and observations of a group
of people.
 Grounded theory studies: Grounded theory studies are designed to develop theories based on
carefully collected and analyzed data.
Example: A physician uses a case study methodology to follow a patient through symptoms,
treatment and recovery.

Inductive research
Inductive research, also known as theory-building research, collects data that may help develop a
new theory about a process or phenomenon. It examines observations and patterns and offers several
hypotheses to explain these patterns. Inductive research is often the first step in theory generation
and may lead to additional research, such as deductive research, to further test possible hypotheses.
Example: Researchers observed that worldwide emissions declined when 12 international
corporations enacted in-house carbon emissions standards in the same year. The researchers theorize
that worldwide emissions can be reduced significantly if international corporations impose in-house
emissions standards.

Laboratory research
Laboratory research occurs in a controlled laboratory rather than in the field. Often, the study
demands strict adherence to certain conditions, such as eliminating variables or timing conditions.
Laboratory research includes chemical experimentation and pharmacological research.
Example: A pharmaceutical company researches a new drug formula to determine if it would benefit
diabetes patients. Researchers closely monitor chemical interactions in laboratory settings before
moving to the next step.

Longitudinal research
Longitudinal research focuses on how certain measurements change over time without manipulating
any determining variables. Types of longitudinal research include:
  Trend study: Research examines population characteristics over time.
 Cohort study: Research traces a subpopulation over time.
 Panel study: Research traces the same sample over time.
Example: A researcher examines if and how employee satisfaction changes in the same employees
after one year, three years and five years with the same company.

Mixed research
Mixed research includes both qualitative and quantitative data. The results are often presented as a
mix of graphs, words and images.
Example: A car manufacturer asks car buyers to complete a survey after buying a red or white sedan.
Questions focus on how much the color impacted their decision and other opinion-based questions.

Policy research
Policy research examines the effects of current government or social policies or predicts the potential
effects of proposed policies related to the distribution of resources. Policy researchers often work
within government agencies and conduct the following types of studies:
 Cost analysis
 Cost-benefit analysis
 Program evaluation
 Needs analysis
Example: An agency may research how a policy for vaccine distribution will affect residents in rural
areas. The outcome may change where the government sets up free shot clinics.

Correlational Research:
it seeks to collect data that shows relationships between different occurrences. A positive
correlation is one in which two variables either increase or decrease at the same time. A negative
correlation is when an increase in one variable means a decrease in another.

Biographical Research
Biographical research is a qualitative research approach aligned to the social interpretive paradigm of
research. The biographical research is concerned with the reconstruction of life histories and the
constitution of meaning based on biographical narratives and documents.

Grounded theory Research

Grounded theory is a systematic methodology that has been largely applied to qualitative research
conducted by social scientists. The methodology involves the construction of hypotheses and
theories through the collecting and analysis of data. Grounded theory involves the application of
inductive reasoning.
  RESEARCH DESIGN – MEANING & TYPES
Meaning: Research design is the framework of research methods and techniques chosen by a
researcher to conduct a study. The design allows researchers to sharpen the research methods
suitable for the subject matter and set up their studies for success.
Research design refers to the method of organization and data collection that a researcher applies to a
project or study. If your career involves conducting research, it's crucial to understand the different
types of research design that are available for use in your research.
A research design is a strategy for answering your research question using empirical data. Creating a
research design means making decisions about:
 Your overall research objectives and approach
 Whether you’ll rely on primary research or secondary research
 Your sampling methods or criteria for selecting subjects

 Your data collection methods

 The procedures you’ll follow to collect data
 Your data analysis methods

Types of Research Design:-

Qualitative research Design

It determines relationships between collected data and observations based on mathematical
calculations. Statistical methods can prove or disprove theories related to a naturally existing
phenomenon. Researchers rely on qualitative research methods that conclude “why” a particular
theory exists and “what” respondents have to say about it.

Quantitative research Design

It is for cases where statistical conclusions to collect actionable insights are essential. Numbers
provide a better perspective for making critical business decisions. Quantitative research methods are
necessary for the growth of any organization. Insights drawn from complex numerical data and
analysis prove to be highly effective when making decisions about the business’s future.

Exploratory research design

One common type of research design is exploratory design. The exploratory research design format
is useful when you don't have a clearly defined problem to study. Often, this type of research design
is less structured than other research design options, and you can use it as a guide for your initial
research to uncover your research problem.
 Explanatory research design:
Explanatory design uses a researcher’s ideas and thoughts on a subject to further explore their
theories. The study explains unexplored aspects of a subject and details the research questions’ what,
how, and why.

Observational research design

Observational design is also a common type of research design. The observational research design
format emphasizes observing your research topic without altering any variables. When using an
observational research design, you can simply observe behaviors or phenomena and record them
rather than conducting an experiment.

Descriptive research design

Descriptive design is another type of research design. The goal of using a descriptive research design
is to describe a research topic, so this type of research is useful when you need more information
about your topic. Descriptive research design can also help you understand the "what," "where,"
"when" and "how" of your research topic. The one question that a descriptive research design does
not answer is "why."

Ex Post Facto Research Design

An ex post facto research design is a method in which groups with qualities that already exist are
compared on some dependent variable. Also known as "after the fact" research, an ex post facto
design is considered quasi-experimental because the subjects are not randomly assigned - they are
grouped based on a particular characteristic or trait.

Case study
Another type of observational research design is the case study format. Case studies are analyses of
real-world situations to understand and evaluate past problems and solutions. Therefore, case studies
are useful when you want to test how an idea applies to real life, and this research design is
especially popular in marketing, advertising and social science.

Action research design

Another type of research design is the action research design. The action research design format
involves initial exploratory analysis and the development of an action strategy. This design format is
collaborative, and it focuses on finding solutions, making it practical for many research topics. You
can use the action research design when you want to solve real problems.

Experimental research design

Experimental research design is also common. The experimental research design is especially useful
when you want to test how different factors affect a situation, making this design type very versatile.
The experimental research design uses the scientific method, which includes elements like:
Control variable: A control variable is a variable that remains constant throughout a research
experiment.
 Causal research design
The causal research design is another type of research design that researchers commonly choose. The
causal research design format attempts to identify and understand relationships between variables,
which can be valuable across many industries. Causal research designs typically involve at at least
two variables and explore many possible reasons for a relationship between variables.

Correlational research design

Along with the causal research design, the correlational research design is also commonly used. The
correlational research design format, like the causal format, identifies relationships between
variables. When you use a correlational research design, you measure variables but do not alter them.

Diagnostic research design

Another type of research design is the diagnostic research design. The diagnostic research design
attempts to find the underlying factors that cause events or phenomena to occur. This research type is
useful to help you understand what's causing problems so you can find solutions.

Cross-sectional research design

Cross-sectional design is another type of observational research design. The cross-sectional research
design involves observing multiple individuals at the same point in time. This research type does not
alter variables.

Sequential research design

Sequential research design is another useful type of research design. The sequential research design
format divides research into stages, and each stage builds on the last. Therefore, you can complete
sequential research at multiple points in time, allowing you to study phenomena that occur over
periods of time.

Cohort research design

Cohort research design, a type of observational research, is another research design type. This type of
research design is commonly used in medicine, but it can also have applications in other industries.
Cohort design involves examining research subjects who have already been exposed to a research
topic, making it especially effective for conducting ethical research on medical topics or risk factors.
This design type is very flexible, and it applies to both primary and secondary data.

Historical research design

Researchers can also use historical research design. Using the historical research design allows you
to use past data to test your hypothesis. Historical research relies on historical data like archives,
maps, diaries and logs. Using this research design can be especially useful for completing trend
analysis or gathering context for a research problem.

Field research design

Another type of research design is the field research design. The field research design, which is a
qualitative research method, allows you to observe subjects in natural environments. This can allow
you to collect data directly from real-world situations.
 Systematic review
Systematic review is another type of research design. Completing a systematic review involves
reviewing existing evidence and analyzing data from existing studies. This can allow you to use
previous research to come up with new conclusions.

Survey research Design

Researchers also use the survey research design frequently. You can use surveys to gather
information directly from your sample population. Some types of surveys include:
 Interviews: Interviews are one popular type of survey. Interviews allow you to ask questions
to a research subject one-on-one, which can give you the opportunity to ask follow-up
questions and gain additional insights.
 Online forms: You can also use online forms to conduct surveys. You can use many
websites or software programs to create intuitive online forms with a variety of question
types, including short-answer and multiple-choice.
 Focus groups: Focus groups are another key survey method. By using focus groups, you can
facilitate discussions with a group of research subjects to gain valuable research insights from
your sample population.
 Questionnaires: Another type of survey is a questionnaire. In a questionnaire, you can
simply list questions for a research subject to answer, making this an effective data collection
method.

Meta-analysis research design

Meta-analysis is a type of quantitative research design. The meta-analysis research design format
uses a variety of populations from different existing studies. This means that this method allows you
to use previous research to form new conclusions.

Mixed-method research design

Researchers can also use a mixed-method research design. Mixed-method research designs combine
multiple research methods to create the best path for a specific research project. This type of research
can include both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Longitudinal research design

Another type of quantitative, observational research design is longitudinal design. The longitudinal
research design involves observing the same sample repeatedly over a period of time. This time span
might be anywhere from a few weeks to several decades, depending on your particular research.

Philosophical research design

Philosophical research design is another research design type. The philosophical research design can
help you analyze and understand your research problem. This design type builds on philosophical
argumentation techniques. The three key areas of philosophical research design are:
Epistemology: Epistemology focuses on knowledge and certainty. Ontology: Ontology focuses on
human nature and existence. Axiology: Axiology is the study of values, and it applies especially to
ethics.