Unlike what a layman generally presumes, Research is not just about determining a hypothesis and unraveling a conclusion for that hypothesis. Every research approach that we take up falls under the category of a type of methodology and every methodology is exclusive and intricate in its depth.
So what are these research methodologies and how do the researchers make use of them? This is what we are going to explore through this blog. Before we attempt to understand these methods, let us understand what research methodology actually means.
Firstly, let's understand why we undertake research? What exactly is the point of it?
Research is mainly done to gain knowledge to support a survey or quest regarding a particular conception or theory and to reach a resolute conclusion regarding the same. Research is generally an approach for gaining knowledge which is required to interpret, write, delve further and to distribute data.
For ensuring that a fulfilling experience is delivered, it is essential that the Research is premium in its quality and that’s where Research Methods come to the rescue.
(Recommended blog - Research Market Analysis)
An area is selected, a specific hypothesis is determined and a defined conclusion is required to be achieved. But how is this conclusion reached? What is the approach that can be taken up? As per CR Kothari’s book “Research Methodology Methods and Techniques” (The Second Revised Edition), the basic types of Research Methods are the following :
Types of Research Methods
Descriptive Research is a form of research that incorporates surveys as well as different varieties of fact-finding investigations. This form of research is focused on describing the prevailing state of affairs as they are. Descriptive Research is also termed as Ex post facto research.
This research form emphasises on factual reporting, the researcher cannot control the involved variables and can only report the details as they took place or as they are taking place.
Researchers mainly make use of a descriptive research approach for purposes such as when the research is aimed at deciphering characteristics, frequencies or trends.
Ex post facto studies also include attempts by researchers to discover causes even when they cannot control the variables. The descriptive research methods are mainly, observations, surveys as well as case studies.
(Speaking of variables, have you ever wondered - What are confounding variables?)
Analytical Research is a form of research where the researcher has to make do with the data and factual information available at their behest and interpret this information to undertake an acute evaluation of the data.
This form of research is often undertaken by researchers to uncover some evidence that supports their present research and which makes it more authentic. It is also undertaken for concocting fresh ideas relating to the topic on which the research is based.
From conducting meta analysis, literary research or scientific trials and learning public opinion, there are many methods through which this research is done.
When a business or say, the society is faced with an issue that needs an immediate solution or resolution, Applied Research is the research type that comes to the rescue.
We primarily make use of Applied Research when it comes to resolving the issues plaguing our daily lives, impacting our work, health or welfare. This research type is undertaken to uncover solutions for issues relating to varying sectors like education, engineering, psychology or business.
For instance, a company might employ an applied researcher for concluding the best possible approach of selecting employees that would be the best fit for specific positions in the company.
The crux of Applied Research is to figure out the solution to a certain growing practical issue.
Evaluation Research - Research where prevailing data regarding the topic is interpreted to arrive at proper decisions
Research and Development - Where the focus is on setting up fresh products or services which focus on the target market requirements
Action Research - Which aims at offering practical solutions for certain business issues by giving them proper direction, are the 3 types of Applied Research.
(Related blog - Target Marketing using AI)
This is a Research type that is primarily concerned with formulating a theory or understanding a particular natural phenomenon. Fundamental Research aims to discover information with an extensive application base, supplementing the existing concepts in a certain field or industry.
Research on pure mathematics or research regarding generalisation of the behavior of humans are also examples of Fundamental Research. This form of research is mainly carried out in sectors like Education, Psychology and Science.
For instance, in Psychology fundamental research assists the individual or the company in gaining better insights regarding certain behaviors such as deciphering how consumption of caffeine can possibly impact the attention span of a student or how culture stereotypes can possibly trigger depression.
Quantitative Research, as the name suggests, is based on the measurement of a particular amount or quantity of a particular phenomenon. It focuses on gathering and interpreting numerical data and can be adopted for discovering any averages or patterns or for making predictions.
This form of Research is number based and it lies under the two main Research Types. It makes use of tables, data and graphs to reach a conclusion. The outcomes generated from this research are measurable and can be repeated unlike the outcomes of qualitative research. This research type is mainly adopted for scientific and field based research.
Quantitative research generally involves a large number of people and a huge section of data and has a lot of scope for accuracy in it.
These research methods can be adopted for approaches like descriptive, correlational or experimental research.
Descriptive research - The study variables are analyzed and a summary of the same is seeked.
Correlational Research - The relationship between the study variables is analyzed.
Experimental Research - It is deciphered to analyse whether a cause and effect relationship between the variables exists.
(Related blog - Hypothesis Testing)
As the name suggests, this form of Research is more considered with the quality of a certain phenomenon, it dives into the “why” alongside the “what”. For instance, let’s consider a gender neutral clothing store which has more women visiting it than men.
Qualitative research would be determining why men are not visiting the store by carrying out an in-depth interview of some potential customers in this category.
This form of research is interested in getting to the bottom of the reasons for human behaviour, i.e understanding why certain actions are taken by people or why they think certain thoughts.
Through this research the factors influencing people into behaving in a certain way or which control their preferences towards a certain thing can be interpreted.
An example of Qualitative Research would be Motivation Research. This research focuses on deciphering the rooted motives or desires through intricate methods like in depth interviews. It involves several tests like story completion or word association.
Another example would be Opinion Research. This type of research is carried out to discover the opinion and perspective of people regarding a certain subject or phenomenon.
This is a theory based form of research and it works by describing an issue by taking into account the prior concepts, ideas and studies. The experience of the researcher plays an integral role here.
The Types of Qualitative Research includes the following methods :
This research is related to an abstract idea or a theory. It is adopted by thinkers and philosophers with the aim of developing a new concept or to re-examine the existing concepts.
Conceptual Research is mainly defined as a methodology in which the research is conducted by observing and interpreting the already present information on a present topic. It does not include carrying out any practical experiments.
This methodology has often been adopted by famous Philosophers like Aristotle, Copernicus, Einstein and Newton for developing fresh theories and insights regarding the working of the world and for examining the existing ones from a different perspective.
The concepts were set up by philosophers to observe their environment and to sort, study, and summarise the information available.
This is a research method that focuses solely on aspects like observation and experience, without focusing on the theory or system. It is based on data and it can churn conclusions that can be confirmed or verified through observation and experiment. Empirical Research is mainly undertaken to determine proof that certain variables are affecting the others in a particular way.
This kind of research can also be termed as Experimental Research. In this research it is essential that all the facts are received firsthand, directly from the source so that the researcher can actively go and carry out the actions and manipulate the concerned materials to gain the information he requires.
In this research a hypothesis is generated and then a path is undertaken to confirm or invalidate this hypothesis. The control that the researcher holds over the involved variables defines this research. The researcher can manipulate one of these variables to examine its effect.
(Recommended blog - Data Analysis)
All research types apart from the ones stated above are mainly variations of them, either in terms of research purpose or in the terms of the time that is required for accomplishing the research, or say, the research environment.
If we take the perspective of time, research can be considered as either One-time research or Longitudinal Research.
One time Research : The research is restricted to a single time period.
Longitudinal Research : The research is executed over multiple time periods.
A research can also be set in a field or a laboratory or be a simulation, it depends on the environment that the research is based on.
We’ve also got Historical Research which makes use of historical sources such as documents and remains for examining past events and ideas. This also includes the philosophy of an individual and groups at a particular time.
Research may be clinical or diagnostic. These kinds of research generally carry out case study or in-depth interview approaches to determine basic causal relationships.
Research can also be Exploratory or Formalized.
Exploratory Research: This is a research that is more focused on establishing hypotheses than on deriving the result. This form of Research focuses on understanding the prevailing issue but it doesn’t really offer defining results.
Formalized research: This is a research that has a solid structure and which also has specific hypotheses for testing.
We can also classify Research as conclusion-oriented and decision-oriented.
Conclusion Oriented Research: In this form of research, the researcher can select an issue, revamp the enquiry as he continues and visualize it as per his requirements.
Decision-oriented research: This research depends on the requirement of the decision maker and offers less freedom to the research to conduct it as he pleases.
The common and well known research methods have been listed in this blog. Hopefully this blog will give the readers and present and future researchers proper knowledge regarding important methods they can adopt to conduct their Research.
5 Factors Influencing Consumer Behavior
READ MOREElasticity of Demand and its Types
READ MOREWhat is PESTLE Analysis? Everything you need to know about it
READ MOREAn Overview of Descriptive Analysis
READ MOREWhat is Managerial Economics? Definition, Types, Nature, Principles, and Scope
READ MORE5 Factors Affecting the Price Elasticity of Demand (PED)
READ MORE6 Major Branches of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
READ MOREDijkstra’s Algorithm: The Shortest Path Algorithm
READ MOREScope of Managerial Economics
READ MOREDifferent Types of Research Methods
READ MORE
Latest Comments
Vivian Marcus
Nov 28, 2023Hello my name is Vivian Marcus from the United State, i'm so exciting writing this article to let people seek for help in any Break up Marriage and Relationship, Dr Kachi brought my Ex Boyfriend back to me, Thank you Sir Kachi for helped so many Relationship situation like mine to be restored, i was in pain until the day my aunt introduce me to Dr Kachi that she got her husband back with powerful love spell with help of Dr Kachi So i sent him an email telling him about my problem how my Boyfriend left me and cheating on me because of her boss lady at work i cry all day and night, but Dr Kachi told me my Boyfriend shall return back to me within 24hrs and to me everything he asked me to do the next day it was all like a dream when he text me and said please forgive me and accept me back exactly what i wanted, i am so happy now as we are back together again. because I never thought my Ex Boyfriend would be back to me so quickly with your spell. You are the best and the world greatest Dr Kachi. if you're having broke up Ex Lover or your husband left you and moved to another woman, You do want to get Pregnant do not feel sad anymore contact: drkachispellcast@gmail.com his Text Number Call: +1 (209) 893-8075 You can reach him Website: https://drkachispellcaster.wixsite.com/my-site
Vivian Marcus
Nov 28, 2023Hello my name is Vivian Marcus from the United State, i'm so exciting writing this article to let people seek for help in any Break up Marriage and Relationship, Dr Kachi brought my Ex Boyfriend back to me, Thank you Sir Kachi for helped so many Relationship situation like mine to be restored, i was in pain until the day my aunt introduce me to Dr Kachi that she got her husband back with powerful love spell with help of Dr Kachi So i sent him an email telling him about my problem how my Boyfriend left me and cheating on me because of her boss lady at work i cry all day and night, but Dr Kachi told me my Boyfriend shall return back to me within 24hrs and to me everything he asked me to do the next day it was all like a dream when he text me and said please forgive me and accept me back exactly what i wanted, i am so happy now as we are back together again. because I never thought my Ex Boyfriend would be back to me so quickly with your spell. You are the best and the world greatest Dr Kachi. if you're having broke up Ex Lover or your husband left you and moved to another woman, You do want to get Pregnant do not feel sad anymore contact: drkachispellcast@gmail.com his Text Number Call: +1 (209) 893-8075 You can reach him Website: https://drkachispellcaster.wixsite.com/my-site
Vivian Marcus
Nov 28, 2023Hello my name is Vivian Marcus from the United State, i'm so exciting writing this article to let people seek for help in any Break up Marriage and Relationship, Dr Kachi brought my Ex Boyfriend back to me, Thank you Sir Kachi for helped so many Relationship situation like mine to be restored, i was in pain until the day my aunt introduce me to Dr Kachi that she got her husband back with powerful love spell with help of Dr Kachi So i sent him an email telling him about my problem how my Boyfriend left me and cheating on me because of her boss lady at work i cry all day and night, but Dr Kachi told me my Boyfriend shall return back to me within 24hrs and to me everything he asked me to do the next day it was all like a dream when he text me and said please forgive me and accept me back exactly what i wanted, i am so happy now as we are back together again. because I never thought my Ex Boyfriend would be back to me so quickly with your spell. You are the best and the world greatest Dr Kachi. if you're having broke up Ex Lover or your husband left you and moved to another woman, You do want to get Pregnant do not feel sad anymore contact: drkachispellcast@gmail.com his Text Number Call: +1 (209) 893-8075 You can reach him Website: https://drkachispellcaster.wixsite.com/my-site
Vivian Marcus
Nov 28, 2023Hello my name is Vivian Marcus from the United State, i'm so exciting writing this article to let people seek for help in any Break up Marriage and Relationship, Dr Kachi brought my Ex Boyfriend back to me, Thank you Sir Kachi for helped so many Relationship situation like mine to be restored, i was in pain until the day my aunt introduce me to Dr Kachi that she got her husband back with powerful love spell with help of Dr Kachi So i sent him an email telling him about my problem how my Boyfriend left me and cheating on me because of her boss lady at work i cry all day and night, but Dr Kachi told me my Boyfriend shall return back to me within 24hrs and to me everything he asked me to do the next day it was all like a dream when he text me and said please forgive me and accept me back exactly what i wanted, i am so happy now as we are back together again. because I never thought my Ex Boyfriend would be back to me so quickly with your spell. You are the best and the world greatest Dr Kachi. if you're having broke up Ex Lover or your husband left you and moved to another woman, You do want to get Pregnant do not feel sad anymore contact: drkachispellcast@gmail.com his Text Number Call: +1 (209) 893-8075 You can reach him Website: https://drkachispellcaster.wixsite.com/my-site
lennarsonmahleredc1464a6fb04ce9
Nov 29, 2023"Stolen BTC Tracing - Investment Scam Recovery" What if I hadn't come across Cyber Genie Hack Pro while on the search for an expert who could help me reclaim my money after falling victim to a cryptocurrency broker on Telegram? If I hadn't found them, was that how I would have lost almost a million bucks worth of Bitcoin? Getting to find a legit cryptocurrency recovery expert wasn't an easy task either. The communication skills of Cyber Genie's team were remarkable, their morale support and devotion to its client, their broad knowledge about the crypto market and hacks were outstanding, and more. After all these observations, I don't need any seer to tell me that Cyber Genie's team was the guy for the task. If you come across this review, please share it wherever you can, fraud victims need a guy like Cyber Genie Hack Pro to assist them in getting back their stolen money. Send them an email on ( Cybergenie (@) Cyberservices(.) Com ) or you can message them on WhatsApp (+*125/25/12/03/91) or visit their website (w w w (.) cybergeniehackpro (.) xyz/) Obrigado, CYBER-GENIE-HACK-PRO.
richardlawson8183a0bb01ccb4448e8
Nov 30, 2023I had a 740 credit score and was ecstatic. All the cards I used to dream about having, but recently my score dropped 150 points. I made a very poor decision. I took a cash advance on my DCU platinum card for 10K because they said there was no fee for doing so. I had no idea about a free 10K loan. Take the cash advance on the DCU plat then get a visa with a 0% promo. Two mistakes, not one actually. Took 10K on the DCU, balance was transferred to my new Wells Fargo 0% card. The limits on the cards were 10K, so utilization skyrocketed when one of the cards was at 100%. I thought it was total utilization for which I am at like 15%. My score went from 740 to 590. American Express $8000 ($45,000 limit) Wells Fargo $5400 ($11,000 limit) DCU $4557 ($10,000 limit). I was unsure on how to get back into the good graces of the bureaus until my friend Laura recommended PINNACLE CREDIT SPECIALIST to me. Immediately I reached out to PINNACLE CREDIT SPECIALIST and asked if he could help me fix my credit score too. He responded positively and I had to subscribe to his services. On checking my credit report after 6 days, my score has skyrocketed to Equifax: 801, TransUnion: 804, Experian: 811. I also noticed that the Wells Fargo and DCU has been paid off completely. I highly recommend him as a great credit specialist! Here is his contact info if you need his services. Email: PINNACLECREDITSPECIALIST@GMAIL.COM / Text Or Call +1 (402) 885 9847.
kathryncrawford0883534f462991d4062
Dec 03, 2023Hi, I was trying to fix up my credit and unfortunately I had one negative item on my credit report, a charge-off from Bank of America from 2019 in the amount of $541. My credit score is a sad one: 543. I did pay the amount owed about a month ago, and my score only went up two points. The comments were changed to paid charge off, account closed by credit grantor. However, I was still saying CHARGE OFF in red under payment status. Last month I asked a question on this forum” Does anyone have any advice on what I should do to raise my score” and two members from this forum advised me to contact PINNACLE CREDIT SPECIALIST. Which quickly did as they said. PINNACLE CREDIT SPECIALIST came through for me, my credit report cleaned up with all negative items removed. My credit score is now 801. I now have 0 hard inquiries, 0 collections, 0 public records. I’m happy to have heard about PINNACLE CREDIT SPECIALIST here, you can contact him today via: PINNACLECREDITSPECIALIST@GMAIL.COM OR Text +1 (402) 885 9847. They’re the best as far as credit repair is concerned.
Mary Robinson
Dec 05, 2023Good day to everyone reading my post, i'm here to appreciate a legitimate spell caster call Dr Kachi who can help you winning the lottery draw, i have never win a biggest amount in lottery unite the day i saw good reviews about DR Kachi how he has helped a lot of people in different ways both financially/martially and i have been playing Mega Million for 8years now, but things suddenly change the moment i contacted Dr Kachi and explained everything to me about the spell and I accepted. I followed his instructions and played the Mega Million with the numbers he gave me, now i am a proud lottery winner with the help of Dr Kachi spell, i win $640 Million Dollars in Mega Millions Ticket, i am making this known to everyone out there who have been trying all day to win the lottery jackpot, believe me this is the only way to win the lottery, this is the real secret we all have been searching for. I want to thank Dr Kachi for his endless help and his from the United States. you can contact via email drkachispellcast@gmail.com or through Text and Call Number: +1 (209) 893-8075 his website: https://drkachispellcaster.wixsite.com/my-site
michaellewis2123bae2e195108b46ce
Dec 06, 2023Hi my name is Michael Lewis, I really needed a new home for my kids but my divorce and the judgment I had against me 6 years ago for a car loan ruined my credit and I was unable to even have a credit card anymore. I surfed through these forums a lot and that’s how I found out about DOVLY CREDIT SOLUTION. I read on the forums about DOVLY CREDIT SOLUTION and how slow they’re to fix credit but they’re among the few that would offer 100% CREDIT REPAIR SERVICES. So I decided to give them a shot. They only did a soft pull up by giving me an excellent credit score within 10 days. He deleted the judgement against my credit report and also paid all the late payment on my credit report. I’m more than happy that I’ve been approved of a 3-unit property that I and my kids live in. He’s really a great hacker. Contact him now: DOVLYCREDITSOLUTION@GMAIL.COM OR Text him on signal app +1 (713) 396 5299.
christopherpowell193246f0bfa888ff47fb
Dec 10, 2023Low credit affected me from being able to apply for a home in Austin TX, so I started to think about purchasing a house. The earliest would be a year from now, but I’m one year out of Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. My mortgage credit score was: 599/571/621. Credit Negatives: BK13 Discharged 10/22 (filed 4/19), Auto loan and Credit Card IIB still reporting, only one year of open accounts for revolving credit, older trade lines for closed revolving accounts and installments loans. previous FICO 8: 590/524/579. I didn’t meet the minimum requirement for FHA and conventional mortgages, until I came across this professional hacker called DOVLY CREDIT SOLUTION with good, fast and affordable rates. I never believed this worked until he proved me wrong by removing all negative marks and hard inquiries on my credit report. He also helped me raise my credit score to my desired score which helped me to be able to purchase my home for my family. Current FICO 8: 790/799/801. Contact him now: DOVLYCREDITSOLUTION@GMAIL.COM 0R CALL on signal: +1 (713) 396 5299.