Types of Researches

By Dr Freddie Mupambireyi (PhD)

Senior Lecturer in Business Enterprise and Management Dept
Faculty: Business Management Sciences and Economics
University of Zimbabwe
pfcmupa@gmail.com

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 Research

What is Research?
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 There are several definitions

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 Definitions of Research
 It’s a process of finding solutions to a problem after a
thorough study and analysis of the situational factors.
(Sekaran et al: 2012)
 It’s a process of developing new knowledge by gathering
data that answers a particular question (O’leary, 2010)
 It’s a search for new knowledge which is systematic and
scientific (Mustafa, 2010)
 Its is a systematized effort to gain new knowledge
(Redman and Mory, 1923)
 Its formalised curiosity (Hurston, 1942)
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 Definition of Research Cont
 All types of researches aim to explain the following:
(i) the reasons and purposes of the research
(ii) the means of achieving the purposes
(iii) the significance of research
In summary, there is general agreement that any
research involves:
 It’s a process of inquiry or investigation

 It is systematic and methodical

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 It increases knowledge (creation of new knowledge)
 Research attributes

What are the main attributes of a

good research?

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 Attributes of a Good Research
 1) Purpose clearly defined: the problem to be solved or
investigated must be clearly defined or delineated
unambiguously.
 2) Detailed research process: The procedures involved
should be clearly spelt out (the design, sampling issues
and data collection methods) Is it possible for other
researches to follow and repeat it
 3) High ethical standards: Observation or adherence to
ethical standards
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 4) Limitations frankly revealed: Indicate honestly all
challenges/problems encountered (Transparency) 7
 Attributes of a Good Research Cont
5) Adequate analysis for decision maker’s needs :
Analysis should be extensive to reveal significance of
the study. Methods of analysis should be appropriate
and explicitly explained.
6) Findings should be unambiguous: Appropriate
language should be used in report writing
7) Conclusion justification: Conclusions should be
confined to those justified by the data of the research
Even the recommendations to be made should derive
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 Reasons and Purposes of Research
 To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it
 To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual,
situation or a group
 To determine the frequency with which something occurs
 To establish causality (hypothesis-testing/regression analysis).
 To provide solution to a problem
 To explore and analyse more general issues
 To construct or create a new procedure or systems
 To generate new knowledge
 OR A COMBINATION OF THE ABOVE
 T
 A combination of any of the above 9
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 Types of Researches

 Researches can be classified according to

four main categories:
 Purpose
 Process
 Logic
 Outcome

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 Types of researches
 Researches are classified according to:
 Purpose- the reason why you are conducting it
 Process- the way in which you will collect and
analyse the data
 Logic- whether you are moving from the
general to the specific or vice versa
 Outcome- whether you are solving a particular
problem or making a general contribution to
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 Classification of main types of
researches
Type of Research Basis for classification

Exploratory, Descriptive, Purpose of the research

Analytical or Predictive
Quantitative or Qualitative Process of the research

Deductive or inductive Logic of the research

Academic or Applied Outcome of the research

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 Purpose
 Exploratory research
 Descriptive research
 Analytical or explanatory research
 Predictive research

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 1) Exploratory research

 This is mainly done when there are very few or no

studies to which we can refer for information about
the issue or problem being investigated
 The aim is to look for patterns, ideas or hypotheses
rather than testing or confirming these hypotheses
 The focus is on gaining insights and familiarity with
the subject area for more rigorous investigations at
a later stage
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 2) Descriptive research

 This describes the phenomena as they exist

 It is used to identify and obtain information on the

characteristics of a particular problem or issue

 The data collected are mainly quantitative in nature and

statistical techniques are required for its summarisation

 The main characteristic of this research is that the researcher

has no control over the variables; he/she can only report

what has happened or what is happening
(i) Distribution of patients by selected demographic variables
(ii) Description of the mood at the launch of a community
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 Analytical/ Explanatory Research
 It’s a continuation of descriptive research
 It goes beyond mere description by analysing and

explaining why and how things/events are

happening the way they are
 The aim is at trying to understand by discovering

and measuring causal relations among variables

 Examples of questions asked.

(i) How can we reduce patient complaints?

(ii) How can we expand product range of our
services to patients?
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 Predictive Research
 It aims at generalizing from the analysis to the bigger
population
 Will the solution to a particular problem be applicable to
similar problems elsewhere.
 It provides answers to how, why and where of current
events/ situations and also to similar events in the future
 Its also helpful in situations where what if questions are
asked
Will the introduction of an employee bonus lead to
higher productivity levels?
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 Process
 Researches can be differentiated according to
the process or approach adopted by the
researcher.
 Quantitative research
 Qualitative research

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 Quantitative Research
 It is objective and scientific in nature and highly structured
 Data collected are numeric
 Concerned with statistical measurements to evaluate
differences in variables
 Concerned with estimation of parameters (confidence
intervals)
 Concerned with hypothesis testing
 Statistical data analysis( summary measures, models etc)
 Research directs, controls situations and manipulates variable
 Research design is decided in advance.
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 Quantitative Research Cont
 The researcher is independent from that being
researched (researcher and researched relationship
 Formal language is used based on a set of known
definitions
 Static design, categories outlined before the study
 Samples sizes involved are large
 Reliability is high
 Validity is low

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 Criticisms for Quantitative Researches

 A highly structured design imposes restrictions on the

results and may ignore relevant and interesting findings
 Emphasis is on description, exploration, search for meaning
 Researchers are not objective, they may bring their own
interests and values to the research
 Capturing complex phenomena in a single measure maybe
misleading eg assigning a numeric value to someone’s
intelligence

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 Qualitative Research
 Highly subjective in nature though the data is rich
 Small samples are used
 Depends mainly on direct observations and
descriptive analysis of interactions and outcomes
 It sometimes relies on the intuitive skills of the
researcher
 It studies things are they are and try to generate
categories and theories
 The data are on attitudes, impressions, behaviour etc
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 Qualitative Research Cont
 Researcher interacts with that being researched
 Categories emerge during the research process
 Language maybe informal and value laden (probing
skills of the researcher)
 Research design unfolds as research progresses,
naturally occurring and contextual setting
 Text analysis
 Holistic view of the phenomenon
 Reliability is low
 Validity is high Complied by Dr F Mupambireyi 23
Criticism of Qualitative Research
 Difficult to administer in the field (semi-
structured questionnaires)
 Difficult to analyse (collected data maybe in
the form of audios, artefacts etc)
 Sampling can be biased (purposive)

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 Logic

 Deductive research
 Inductive research

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 Deductive
 It’s a study in which a conceptual and
theoretical structure is developed and then
tested by empirical observation
 Particular instances are deduced from general
inferences
 You will be moving from the general to the
particular

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 Inductive
 It’s a study in which theory is developed from
the observation of empirical reality
 General inferences are induced from particular
instances
 It involves moving from individual
observation to statements of general patterns
or trends

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 Outcome

 Academic research
 Applied research

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 Academic Research
 Aims at contributing to the existing body of
knowledge
 Results in universal principles relating to processes
and procedures
 Findings are of significance and value to the society
in general
 Usually taken by people based at institutions of
higher learning like universities, poly-techniques
 Choice of topic and objectives are determined by the
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 Usually there are strict submission deadlines
 Academic Research Cont
 Key questions to ask yourself
 i) Is the research feasible, researchable,
achievable, viable?
 ii) What is the cost involved?
 iii) Can the data be obtained?
 iv) Will the findings be fresh?
 v) Do you have the time to do the study?
 vi) Is it interesting to you?
 vii) Is it going to add value? Complied by Dr F Mupambireyi 30
 How to Generate Research Ideas
 Examining ones own strengths and interests
 Examining past researches
 Discussion with other people
 Extensive search of literature
 Observing and noting practices and experiences
 Brainstorming

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Motivation of Academic Researches
(what motivates people to carry out academic researches?)

 The acquisition of the degree/qualification and

potential consequential benefits
 Desire to face the challenges in solving the unsolved
problems
 Intellectual joy of doing some creative work
 Desire to be of service to society (changing lives of
communities through research informed interventions
 Desire to get respectability (in academic institutions)
 Employment conditions and directives of government 32
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 Applied Research
 Aims at improving understanding of the problem at
hand
 Results in solutions to a specific problem
 New knowledge is limited to the problem at hand
 Findings are of practical relevance and value to the
organisation in question
 Undertaken by people from a variety of settings
 Objectives may be reviewed
 Flexible time lines

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 Research Process
 Planning Phase
 Identify a broad area of study
 Select or develop a topic
 Describe the approach
 Develop the plan
 Effectuation Phase
 Collect relevant data
 Analyse and interpret data
 Present findings
 Report writing

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 The End

ASANTE SANA
Thank you for listening

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