Exploratory research typically seeks to create
hypotheses rather than test them. Data from
exploratory studies tends to be qualitative.
Examples include brain- storming sessions,
interviews with experts, and posting a short
survey to a social networking website.
Causal research examines if there's a cause-
and-effect relationship between two separate
events. Learn everything you need to know
about it.Causal research is classified as
conclusive research since it attempts to build a
cause-and-effect link between two variables.
This research is mainly used to determine the
cause of particular behavior. We can use this
research to determine what changes occur in an
independent variable due to a change in the
dependent variable.
-It can assist you in evaluating marketing
activities, improving internal procedures, and
developing more effective business plans.
Understanding how one circumstance affects
another may help you determine the most
effective methods for satisfying your business
needs.
1. **Exploratory Research:**
Definition: Exploratory research is conducted
to gather preliminary information and insights
about a topic or issue, often in situations where
little is known. Example: Conducting focus
group discussions to understand consumers'
initial perceptions and expectations regarding a
new product that hasn't been launched yet.
2. **Causal Research:**
Definition: Causal research aims to establish a
cause-and-effect relationship between
variables. It seeks to determine whether
changes in one variable lead to changes in
another.
Example: Investigating whether a new
teaching method leads to improved student
performance in standardized tests.
3. **Action Research:**
Definition: Action research is conducted by
practitioners within their own professional
contexts to solve specific problems and improve
practices. Example: A teacher observing and
implementing different classroom management
strategies to reduce disruptive behavior in a
classroom.
4. **Evaluative Research:**
Definition: Evaluative research assesses the
effectiveness, efficiency, and outcomes of a
program, policy, or intervention. Example:
Analyzing the impact of a community health
program by comparing health outcomes before
and after its implementation.
5. **Correlational Research:**
Definition: Correlational research examines
the relationship between two or more variables
without asserting a cause-and-effect
relationship. Example: Studying the correlation
between hours of study and exam scores among
a group of students.
6. **Comparative Research:**
Definition: Comparative research involves
comparing two or more groups, situations, or
entities to identify similarities, differences, and
patterns. Example: Comparing the economic
growth trajectories of two different countries to
understand the factors contributing to their
development.
7. **Archival Research:** Definition: Interpretative research focuses on
understanding and interpreting the meanings
Definition: Archival research involves analyzing
and symbols people attach to their experiences
existing records, documents, and data to answer
and actions.
research questions.
Example: Studying the narratives of
Example: Analyzing historical newspapers,
individuals who have experienced homelessness
diaries, and government reports to understand
to gain insights into their perspectives on
public opinion during a specific historical event.
societal structures.

8. **Historical Research:**
12. **Critical Research:**
Definition: Historical research explores past
Definition: Critical research aims to challenge
events, conditions, and social phenomena to
and question existing power structures, norms,
gain a deeper understanding of their
and ideologies, often with the goal of promoting
significance.
social change.
Example: Investigating primary sources to
Example: Analyzing media representations to
study the cultural and societal impact of the
uncover and critique underlying biases related
Industrial Revolution.
to gender and race.

9. **Experimental Research:**
13. **Ethnographic Research:**
Definition: Experimental research involves
Definition: Ethnographic research involves
manipulating one or more variables to observe
immersing the researcher in a specific cultural
the effects and establish causal relationships.
or social context to understand the behaviors,
Example: Testing the effectiveness of a new beliefs, and practices of the participants.
drug by randomly assigning participants to
Example: Living within a remote indigenous
receive either the drug or a placebo.
community to study their traditional ecological
knowledge and sustainable practices.

10. **Analytical Research:**

Definition: Analytical research involves 14. **Longitudinal Research:**

critically analyzing existing information and data
to generate new insights or interpretations.
Example: Conducting a literature review to
identify trends and gaps in research related to
climate change adaptation strategies.
11. **Interpretative Research:**
Definition: Longitudinal research involves
studying the same group of individuals or
subjects over an extended period to observe
changes and trends over time.
Example: Tracking the cognitive development
of a cohort of children from infancy to
adulthood to understand the factors influencing
their intellectual growth.