MODULE 3

TYPES OF RESEARCH
RESEARCH

-a logical and systematic search for

new and useful information on a
particular topic.
RESEARCH

“Research is a careful investigation or inquiry

specially through search for new facts in any
branch of knowledge. Research is a
systematized effort to gain new knowledge.”
-Redman and Mary
According to KUMAR (2011)
 TYPES OF RESEARCH:
APPLICATION PERSPECTIVE

a. Pure Research - This kind of research is

academic in nature and is undertaken in order to
gain knowledge about phenomena that may or
may not have applications in the near future, and
to develop new techniques and procedures that
form the body of research methodology.
 TYPES OF RESEARCH:
APPLICATION PERSPECTIVE

Examples of pure research include:

❖ developing a sampling technique that can be applied to a particular
situation
❖ developing a methodology to assess the validity of a procedure
❖ developing an instrument, say, to measure the stress level in people
❖ and finding the best way of measuring people’s attitudes body of
research methodology.
 TYPES OF RESEARCH:
APPLICATION PERSPECTIVE

b. Applied Research - Most of the

research in social sciences is applied. In
other words, the research techniques,
procedures and methods that form the
body of research methodology are applied.
 TYPES OF RESEARCH:
APPLICATION PERSPECTIVE

For example, applied research may investigate ways

to:
❖ Improves agricultural crop productions
❖ Treat or cure a specific disease
❖ Improve the energy efficiency at homes, offices or
mode of transportations
 TYPES OF RESEARCH:
OBJECTIVES PERSPECTIVE

a. Descriptive Research – A study classified as

a descriptive study attempts to describe
systematically a situation, problem, phenomenon,
service or program, or provide information about
the living conditions of a community or describe
attitudes towards an issue.
 TYPES OF RESEARCH:
OBJECTIVES PERSPECTIVE

For example, descriptive research may investigate the following

problems:
❖ What is the best way to provide access to computer
equipment in schools?
❖ Do students hold favorable attitudes toward online class?
❖ What have been the reactions of school administrators to
technological innovations in teaching?
 TYPES OF RESEARCH:
OBJECTIVES PERSPECTIVE

b. Correlational Research the main

emphasis in a correlational study is to
discover or establish the existence of a
relationship/association/interdependence
between two or more variables or more
aspects of a situation.
 TYPES OF RESEARCH:
OBJECTIVES PERSPECTIVE

For example, correlational research may study about:

❖ What is the impact of an advertising campaign on the sale of a product?
❖ What is the relationship between technology and unemployment?
❖ What is the relationship between stressful living and the incidence of heart
attack?
❖ What is the relationship between fertility and mortality?
❖ What is the effect of a health service on the control of a disease or the
home environment on educational achievement?
 TYPES OF RESEARCH:
OBJECTIVES PERSPECTIVE

c. Explanatory Research attempts

to clarify why and how there is a
relationship between two aspects of a
situation or phenomenon.
 TYPES OF RESEARCH:
OBJECTIVES PERSPECTIVE

This type of research attempts to explain, for example:

❖ Why stressful living results in heart attacks?
❖ Why a decline in mortality is followed by a fertility
decline?
❖ How the home environment affects children’s level
of academic achievement?
 TYPES OF RESEARCH:
OBJECTIVES PERSPECTIVE

d. Exploratory Research is a study

undertaken with the objective either to
explore an area where little is known
or to investigate the possibilities of
undertaking a particular research study.
 TYPES OF RESEARCH:
OBJECTIVES PERSPECTIVE

For example, consider a scenario where a

juice bar owner feels that increasing the
variety of juices will enable increase in
customers however he is not sure and
needs more information.
 TYPES OF RESEARCH:
OBJECTIVES PERSPECTIVE

e. Action Research – This type of research

studies an ongoing practice of a school,
organization, community or institutions for
the purpose of obtaining results that will
bring improvements in the system.
 TYPES OF RESEARCH:
MODE OF ENQUIRY PERSPECTIVE

a. Quantitative Research
(structured research): The main
objectives of this research is to
quantify the variation and diversity in
a phenomenon, situation or attitude
 TYPES OF RESEARCH:
MODE OF ENQUIRY PERSPECTIVE

For example:
A Quantitative Study of the Impact of Social Media Reviews on
Brand Perception
A Quantitative Study of Teacher Perceptions of Professional
Learning Communities' Context, Process, and Content
How may the sugarcane bagasse be effective on being bio-adsorbent
agent on treating water contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons?
 TYPES OF RESEARCH:
MODE OF ENQUIRY PERSPECTIVE

2. Qualitative research (unstructured): A

qualitative study describes the variation and
diversity in a phenomenon, situation or
attitude with a flexible approach so as to
identify as much variation and diversity as
possible.
Qualitative research can be further classified in
the following type.

1. Phenomenology - a form of research in which

the researcher attempts to understand how one or
more individuals experience a phenomenon.
Example: We might interview 20 victims of
cyber bullying.
Qualitative research can be further classified in
the following type.

2. 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.
Example: The researcher might decide to go and live with
the tribe in Andaman island and study the culture and the
educational practices
Qualitative research can be further classified in
the following type.

3. Case study - is a form of qualitative

research that is focused on providing a
detailed account of one or more cases.
Example: We may study a classroom that was
given a new curriculum for technology use.
Qualitative research can be further classified in
the following type.

4. 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. Example: The lending pattern of
business in the 19th century.