When beginning a research paper, the researcher starts off by identifying the research questions and determining modes of data collection, analysis, and so on. These comprise the research design. Determining the research design is important in order to effectively conduct the research and organize the various elements and processes required. To plan and outline the research design, the researcher needs to ascertain the type of research they are engaging in.
When put into practice, research doesn’t always strictly adhere to a particular type. However, it can still be divided into various types and knowing them is very helpful when researching. This article introduces and describes some of the most prominent and commonly used types of research.
The Primary Categories of Research
The following are the two main types of research. Most other kinds tend to fall under either one of these categories.
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Basic research
Also called fundamental or pure research, this type of research focuses on deepening and expanding the pool of knowledge. It does try to solve specific problems, and more often than not, is abstract in nature. It is based within the realm of theory.
Basic research is not driven by any specific concerns, and the researcher has a lot of discretion and independence when conducting it. Most other types of research are dependent on the results of basic research.
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Applied research
The aim of this type of research is to arrive at practical solutions to an existing, well-defined problem. It can be considered a complement to basic research. It is not abstract and is very much rooted in real-world issues and problems.
Applied research uses theories and other knowledge that result from basic research and may, sometimes, in its own turn, provide findings that further basic research. The design and method such research requires is very scientific and needs to be clearly defined and set. The problem and hypothesis determine the course of the research.
Types of Research Based on Data
The following two kinds of research are classified based on the type of data they deal with:
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Qualitative research
Qualitative research is conducted on the basis of data that cannot be measured. Its aim is to discover as much as possible about the subject being studied. The study can be on matter that is abstract or concrete.
The findings from qualitative research are localized and cannot often be generalized. If a particular problem or conflict is the subject of the study, the results are not likely to provide apparent solutions to it. Rather, the answer may be possible to arrive at with further work.
The research design in this type of research is flexible and dependent on the researcher. While bias may have an impact on the results, no explicit manipulation of data or analysis should take place. Even the subjectivity needs to be kept to a minimum. Qualitative research is essential to build up information to conduct further research.
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Quantitative research
The data collected during quantitative research is quantifiable. This establishes that this kind of research is objective in nature, deals with concrete problems and solutions, and likely has a well-defined research design. Quantitative research is usually meant to arrive at findings that can be generalized.
The environments these studies are conducted in are often controlled. Variables, too, play a major role in the research design as the relationship between them is usually the subject of research. Since the data is measurable, and thus numerical, several techniques for their analysis have already been developed.
Types of Research Based on Objective
The following research types are distinct based on their objectives. They may be included within the ambit of any of the classifications mentioned above.
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Descriptive research
Descriptive research is best conducted when there isn’t much existing knowledge about a subject. Its goal is to describe the subject being researched, be it a person or phenomenon or event. It answers the descriptive questions “what,” “when,” “where,” and “how” rather than “why.” Descriptive research helps to recognize trends and patterns that occur.
Several different designs can be utilized to produce a detailed and accurate description. However, care needs to be taken to make sure that no interference by the researcher takes place when engaged in descriptive research. In some cases, the research may need to be conducted over a long period of time, especially if the question concerns patterns and/or trends.
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Experimental research
Experimental research is the type of research most commonly associated with physical sciences like physics and chemistry. The aim here is to determine the relationship between two or more different variables. Most often, however, experiments involve just two variables – one that is dependent and another that is independent.
The research design used in experimental research is a very rigorous one, and the experiment is conducted in controlled environments. The data collection too is meant to be as precise as possible, as is its analysis. The data collected is quantifiable.
The hypothesis, the variables, the data, and the results are to be recorded as accurately as possible. Experimental research is a very objective research type that emphasizes meticulousness at all stages.
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Ethnographic research
This particular type of research was first conducted in the field of anthropology. Now, it has come to find uses across different areas, especially those relating to and dependent on the behavior of societies and/or groups of people.
Ethnographic research studies closely a society or a group of people to understand them better. The main method through which such research is conducted is immersion. The researcher may live with the group being studied or choose other similar methods to get close to them. Observation and in-depth interviews may form part of the research design too.
To be most effective and to have the most accurate results, ethnographic research studies need to be conducted over long periods of time.
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Exploratory research
Exploratory research is carried out to study and understand a problem better and is sometimes also termed “explanatory research.” It focuses on answering “how” and “why” questions. Usually, there is not a lot of information available and that makes exploratory research challenging.
As opposed to most other kinds of research, exploratory research is done using a very flexible design. The researcher needs to be open to changing their design if their data or analysis or a new insight demands it. They also need to keep in mind that exploratory research often doesn’t have a conclusion as being conclusive is not usually its aim.
The findings of exploratory research provide the means to further research to solve the problem. Exploratory research is usually considered preliminary when studying emerging problems.
