Types of Research.pptx

This document contains extensive information about the research types applicable to social science researchers. It also helps to have a clear and in-depth awareness of the various types of research including the broad distinction between Qualitative and Quantitative Research.

1. Presented By - K. Poojitha Research Scholar Department of Studies in Commerce VSK University, Ballari 1

2. Research 2

3. Types of Research 1. Fundamental/ Pure/ Basic Research 2. Applied/ Decisional/ Formal Research 3. Action Research 4. Exploratory Research 5. Descriptive Research 6. Causal/ Explanatory Research 7. Conceptual Research 8. Empirical Research 9. Ethnographic Research 10.Cross-sectional Research 11. Longitudinal Research 12. Ex-Post Facto Research 3 13. Participatory Research 14. Inductive Research 15. Deductive Research 16. Evaluation study 17. Diagnostic Research 18. Analytical Research 19. Experimental Research 20. Quasi-experimental Research 21. Historical Research 22.Case Study 23. Survey Method 24. Quantitative Research 25. Qualitative Research

4. 1.Fundamental/Pure/Basic Research It is undertaken for the sake of knowledge and aims at the achievement of knowledge and truth by adding it to existing one. Mainly concerned with generalizations and with the formulation of a theory. This research helps in developing theories by discovering broad generalization and principles. It explains the phenomena as they are and not as they should be. Here are a few examples of questions asked in pure research: How did the universe begin? What is the relevance of the dividend theories in the capital market? 4

5. 2. Applied/ Decisional/ Formal Research Aims at finding a solution for a problem faced by a society or an industrial/business organization. Solves the practical problems of the modern world rather than to acquire knowledge. Carried out by experts. Examples: Marketing research, environment, pharmaceutical etc. Answers to the question why? Why a product is not getting customers? 5

6. 3. Action Research Part of applied Research Finding immediate solution to a problem that the society is actually experiencing. Action research is very popular in the field of education because there is always room for improvement when it comes to teaching and educating others. Goal is to solve problem of local concern. Carried out by practitioners. Diagnose immediate problems or weaknesses and help develop practical solutions to address them quickly and efficiently. Also called Cycle of Action or Cycle of Enquiry since it typically follows pre-determined process that is repeated over time. 6

7. Stephen Kemmis has developed a simple model of the cyclical nature of the typical action research process and each cycle has four steps Plan, Act, Observe, Reflect (and then plan etc) 7

8. Action research may be Individual, Collaborative and System wide research 8

9. 4. Descriptive Research Includes survey and fact finding enquiries of different kinds. It describes the state of affairs as it exists at present It aims to accurately and systematically describe a population, situation or phenomenon. It can answer What, When, Where and How questions, but not Why questions. It can use variety of quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate one or more variables. Descriptive research gathers data just be observing and measuring without controlling any variables. 9

10. Descriptive research method is divided into three types I,e Observation method, Case study method and Survey method. Examples: Market studies – What describes size of the market, buying power of consumers? Market share studies – Which determines proportion of total sales received by a company and its competitors? 10

11. 5. Exploratory Research It is a preliminary study of an unfamiliar problem about which researcher has little or no knowledge. It is conducted for a problem that has not been studied more clearly. Intends merely to explore the research questions and doesn’t intend to offer final and conclusive solutions to existing problems. Purpose is to define terms, gain background information, to clarify the problem, develop hypothesis and to develop problems to be answered. Example: Study of role of social networking sites as an effective marketing communication channel. 11

12. 6. Causal/ Explanatory Research Objective of this research is to test hypothesis about cause and effect relationships. To determine which variable might be causing a certain behavior I,e whether there is a cause and effect relationship between variables, causal research is undertaken. In order to determine causality, it is important to hold the variable that is assumed to cause the change in the other variable(s) constant and then measure the changes in the other variable(s). This type of research is very complex and the researcher can never be completely certain that there are not other factors influencing the causal relationship, especially when dealing with people’s attitudes and motivations. Example: Assess the impact of FDI on levels of economic growth. 12

13. 13 Problem is defined Problem is described Cause is studied.

14. 7. Conceptual Research Conceptual research is related to some abstract ideas or theory. It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to reinterpret the existing concepts . The most famous  example  of a  conceptual research  is Sir Issac Newton. He observed his surroundings to conceptualize and develop theories about gravitation and motion. 14

15. 8. Empirical Research It relies on experience or observation alone. Empirical research is defined as any research where conclusions of the study is strictly drawn from concretely empirical evidence, and therefore “verifiable” evidence. This empirical evidence can be gathered using  quantitative market research  and  qualitative market research  methods. For example: A research is being conducted to find out if listening to happy music while working may promote creativity? An experiment is conducted by using a  music website survey  on a set of audience who are exposed to happy music and another set who are not listening to music at all, and the subjects are then observed. The results derived from such a research will give empirical evidence if it does promote creativity or not. 15

16. Conceptual vs Empirical Research 16

17. 9. Ethnographic Research It is a type of qualitative research that involves immersing yourself in a particular community or organization to observe their behavior and interactions up close. The term “Ethnography’’ also refers to the written report of the research that the ethnographer produces afterwards. Ethnography is a flexible research method that allows you to gain a deep understanding of a group’s shared culture, conventions and social dynamics. However, it involves some practical and ethical challenges. Ethnographic research originated in the field of anthropology, and it often involved an anthropologist living with an isolated tribal community for an extended period of time in order to understand their culture. 17

18. 10. Cross-Sectional Research It is a type of research in which data is collected from many different individuals at a single point of time. In cross-sectional research, variables are observed without influencing them. It is conducted with different samples at same pint of time. Researchers in economics, psychology, medicine and other social sciences make use of cross-sectional studies in their work. 18

19. 11. Longitudinal Research In longitudinal research, data is collected repeatedly from the same subjects over time, often focusing on a smaller group of individuals that are connected by a common trait. Conducted with same sample over the years For example: A research to find out benefits of exercise. The target is asked to exercise everyday for a particular period of time and the results show higher endurance, stamina, and muscle growth. This supports the fact that exercise benefits an individual body. 19

20. Cross-Sectional vs Longitudinal Research 20

21. 12. Ex-post Facto Research Also known as “after the fact” research. Groups with qualities that already exist are compared on some dependent variable. 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. It is based on scientific and analytical examination of dependent and independent variables. For example, a researcher is interested in how weight influences self-esteem levels in adults. So the participants would be separated into different groups (under weight, normal weight, over weight) and their self esteem levels measured. This is an ex-post facto design because a pre-existing characteristic (weight) was used to form the groups. 21

22. 13. Participatory Research It comprises a range of methodological approaches and techniques, all with the objective of handing power from the researcher to research participants, who are often community members or community-based organizations. In this research, participants have control over the research agenda, the process and actions. Most importantly, people themselves are the ones who analyze and reflect on the information generated, in order to obtain the findings and conclusions of the research process. 22

23. 14. Inductive Research Inductive research aims at developing a theory (specific to general) It moves from specific observations to broad generalizations. A researcher begins by collecting the data that is relevant to his/her topic of interest. Then the researcher will take a time out from data collection and steps back to get a bird’s eye view of their data. At this stage, the researcher looks for patterns in the data working to develop a theory that could explain those patterns. 23

24. 15. Deductive Research Deductive research aims at testing an existing theory. It moves from broad generalization to specific observation (general to specific). The researcher studies what others have done, read existing theories and tests hypothesis that emerge from those theories. 24

25. Inductive vs Deductive Research 25

26. 16. Evaluation Study It is a type of applied research. It is made for assessing and taking stock of effectiveness of social or economic programs. For example, Family planning scheme, irrigation project. “The systematic assessment of the operation and/or outcomes of a program or policy, compared to a set of implicit or explicit standards, as a means of contributing to the improvement of the program or policy”. 26

27. 17. Diagnostic Research It is directed towards discovering what is happening? Why is it happening? And what can be done about it? It aims at identifying causes of problems and possible solutions for it. 27

28. 18. 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 Example : Examining the fluctuations of U. S. international trade balance during 1974-1995 is an  example  of descriptive  research ; while explaining why and how U.S. trade balance move in a particular way over time is an  example  of  analytical research . 28

29. 19. Experimental Research To investigate cause/ effect relationship and to study the relationship between one variable and other. 29

30. Experimental research continued Manipulate Independent Variable, effect of changing independent variable on dependent variable, Control of extraneous variable. 30

31. 20. Historical Research Examines past events. Systematic collection and evaluation of data to describe, explain and there by understand actions or events that occurred sometime in the past. Qualitative in nature. Example : Evolution of marketing, Evolution of Management. 31

32. 21. Quasi-experimental Research It involves using intact groups in an experiment, rather than assigning individuals at random to research conditions. The researcher does not have control over the experiment because it occurs in a natural setting. 32

33. 22. Case Study A case study is a detailed study of a specific subject, such as a person, group, place, event, organization, or phenomenon. Case studies are commonly used in social, educational, clinical, and business research. Case studies are good for  describing , comparing, evaluating and understanding different aspects of a  research problem . Example: Sony – Leading the digital revolution through innovation, Nike – Nike sustainability and labour practices. 33

34. 23. Survey Method Survey method is a type of research in which researcher is able to investigate research problem properly through survey by gathering quantitative information. Steps of Survey Selection of problems Pilot Study Objective of the study Sampling Methods of data collection 34

35. 24. Quantitative Research 35 Quantitative Research is applicable to phenomena that are measurable so that they can be expressed in terms of quantity. It is the systematic investigation of the observable event via statistical, mathematical or computational technique. It is a research which can be represented or described according to some numerical system. Experimental and descriptive research is the major classification of this research. Its aim is to classify, count features construct statistical models in an attempt to explain what has happened. Data in this type of research is in the form of numbers or statistics. Researcher use tools such as questionnaire or equipment to collect numerical data. Sample size is small. It is used to develop hypothesis.

36. 25. Qualitative Research 36 Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative phenomenon. Research designed to find out how people feel or what they think about a particular subject is a qualitative research. Qualitative research is especially important in the behavioral sciences where aim is to discover underlying motives of human behavior. This type of research is found common in social sciences where researchers intend to study social and cultural phenomenon. Unlike Qualitative research no numerical measures are incorporated in qualitative research, it uses in-depth analysis approach by taking case studies or events to study the situation. It is not involved in investigating and developing hypothesis. Common perception of this research is emphasis on discovery rather than proof. Action research and Historic research are the major examples. This research is the in-depth understanding of social phenomenon within their natural setup. Methods of data collection includes observation, interview. Sample size is large to allow generalization

37. Quantitative vs Qualitative Research 37

38. Thank You 38