Topic Name: UNIT I: Methodology and

Literature Collection

Dr. Mala Parab

Assist. Prof.
SBB_DYPU
UNIT I: Methodology and Literature Collection

Lecture 2:
Types of Research
Types of Research

1. Basic
2. Applied
3. Quantitative
4. Qualitative
5. Descriptive

6. Analytical

7. Conceptual
8. Empirical

9. Other types
1. Fundamental/Basic research 2. Applied Research

1. Fundamental/ Basic research is mainly 1. Applied research aims at finding a

concerned with generalizations and solution for an immediate problem
with the formulation of a theory. facing a society.
2. Research concerning some natural 2. Research aimed at certain
phenomenon or relating to pure
conclusions (say, a solution) facing
mathematics are examples of this type
a concrete social or business
of research.
problem is an example of applied
3. Basic research is directed towards
research.
finding information that has a broad
base of applications and thus, adds to
the already existing organized body of
scientific knowledge.
Comparison between Basic and Applied research

Basic
Basic Applied
Applied
Applied
e.g.
e.g.
Theoretical e.g.
e.g.Quick Answers
 DoesInvasive
More
Does Caffeine Ingestion
Caffeine Does
Does Caffeine
LessCaffeineIngestion
InvasiveIngestion
Improve Stimulate
Ingestion Ca2+ binding Improve
ImproveAthletic
Athletic
Laboratory Based Field Based
Performance?
Performance?
with troponin?
the CNS?
Tightly Controlled Loosely Controlled
-Would this Facilitate
-Would this Increase Internal Validity?
Motor
Acto-Myosin
LacksUnit
External Coupling?
Validity
Recruitment Externally Valid
>
-Would
-Would
Focus on this
this aid
Mechanism
Reduce Focus on Effect
contraction?
Perceived Effort?
 3. Empirical Reseacrh

•Empirical research relies on experience or observation alone, often without due regard for
system and theory.
•It is data-based research, coming up with conclusions which are capable of being verified by
observation or experiment. We can also call it as experimental type of research.
•In such a research it is necessary to get at facts firsthand, at their source, and actively to go about
doing certain things to stimulate the production of desired information.
• In such a research, the researcher must first provide himself with a working hypothesis or guess
as to the probable results.
•Empirical research is appropriate when proof is sought that certain variables affect other
variables in some way. Evidence gathered through experiments or empirical studies is today
considered to be the most powerful support possible for a given hypothesis.
•Examples
A] Measuring the amount of lead found in the drinking water of a small town
B] measuring the levels of noise pollution found in an urban area to determine the average levels
4.. Qualitative Research

Qualitative research, is concerned with qualitative

phenomenon(relating to or involving quality or kind. ).

Qualitative research is specially important in the behavioural sciences

where the aim is to discover the underlying motives of human
behaviour.

 e.g., Attitude or opinion research i.e., research designed to find out

how people feel or what they think about a particular subject or
institution is also qualitative research
4. Qualitative Research (contd.)

•The nature of this type of research is exploratory and open ended. Small number of people are interviewed in
depth and or a relatively small number of focus groups are conducted. Qualitative research can be further
classified in the following type.
I. Phenomenology:-a form of research in which the researcher attempts to understand how one or more
individuals experience a phenomenon. Eg:-we might interview 20 victims of bhopal tragedy.
II. Ethnography:- this type of research focuses on describing the culture of a group of people. A culture is the
shared attributes, values, norms, practices, language, and material things of a group of people. Eg:-the
researcher might decide to go and live with the tribal in Andaman island and study the culture and the
educational practices.
III. Case study:-is a form of qualitative research that is focused on providing a detailed account of one or
more cases. Eg:-we may study a classroom that was given a new curriculum for technology use.
IV. Grounded theory:- it is an inductive type of research,based or grounded in the observations of data from
which it was developed; it uses a variety of data sources, including quantitative data, review of records,
interviews, observation and surveys
V. Historical research:-it allows one to discuss past and present events in the context of the present
condition, and allows one to reflect and provide possible answers to current issues and problems. Eg:-the
lending pattern of business in the 19th century.
5. Quantitative Research

•This research is based on numeric figures or numbers. Quantitative research aim to measure
the quantity or amount and compares it with past records and tries to project for future period.
The objective of quantitative research is to develop and employ mathematical models, theories
or hypothesis pertaining to phenomena.
•The process of measurement is central to quantitative research because it provides
fundamental connection between empirical observation and mathematical expression of
quantitative relationships. Statistics is the most widely used branch of mathematics in
quantitative research. Statistical methods are used extensively with in fields such as science
and economics.
•In sum, the research using the normative approach may be called quantative research, as the
inferences from it are largely based on quantative data. Moreover, objectivity is the primary
guard so that the research may be replicated by others, if necessary.
Comparison Between Qualitative and Quantative
6. Conceptual research

•Conceptual research is that related to some abstract idea(s) or theory. It is generally

used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing
ones.
•Researcher breaks down a concept into parts to gain deeper understanding of issue
concerning the theorem.
•The conceptual researcher sits at his desk with pen in hand and tries to solve these
problems by thinking about them. He does no experiments but may make use of
observations by others, since this is the mass of data that he is trying to make sense
of.
7. Descriptive Research

•Research that describes what is, describing, recording, analyzing, and

interpreting conditions that exist
•Involves some type of contrast and attempts to discover relationships between
non-manipulated variables
•Research that provides and accurate portrayal of characteristics of a particular
individual, situation, or group
•Used as a means of discovering new meaning, describing what exits,
determining the frequency with which something occurs, and categorizing
information
•The systematic investigation of relationships among two or more variables,
without determining or interpreting cause and effect
8. Analytical Research

•Analytical research is a specific type of research that involves critical thinking skills
and the evaluation of facts and information relative to the research being conducted. 
•A variety of people including students, doctors and psychologists use analytical
research during studies to find the most relevant information.
•From analytical research, a person finds out critical details to add new ideas to the
material being produced.
•Using critical thinking skills (a method of thinking that involves identifying a claim
or assumption and deciding if it is true or false) a person is able to effectively pull out
small details to form greater assumptions about the material
 9. Correlational research 10. Experimental research

•The purpose is to find relationships between two •describes what will be when certain
or more variable so to: -
variables are carefully controlled or
i. Better understand the conditions and events
manipulated
that we encounter (what goes with what) –
•objective, systematic, controlled
ii. To predict future conditions and events.
investigation for the purpose of
• Correlations do not show cause and effect
predicting and controlling phenomena
• Coefficients of Correlation -range from –1 to 1
and examining probability and causality
-the farther the number is away from 0 the
higher the correlation -a negative correlation among selected variables
suggest an inverse effect -a 1 or -1 shows a
perfect correlation -a correlation of 0
indicates no relationship
Some other types of Research