"Exploring Research Types: Navigating Methods for Deeper Insights"

Research is a systematic investigation aimed at discovering new knowledge, solving problems, or validating hypotheses. Different types of research are categorized based on their purpose, depth of scope, methodology, time frame, and data sources.

1. Types of Research According to Purpose

1.1 Theoretical Research (Pure or Basic Research)

• Alternative Names: Fundamental Research, Pure Research, Basic Science.
• Focus: Aims to generate knowledge for understanding fundamental principles without immediate practical application.
• Example: A study on the origin of the universe.
• Common Applications: Natural sciences, mathematics, and theoretical physics.

1.2 Applied Research

• Alternative Names: Practical Research, Problem-Solving Research.
• Focus: Seeks to solve specific, practical problems using theories and knowledge generated from theoretical research.
• Example: Development of new medical treatments.
• Common Applications: Engineering, medicine, computer science, business, and education.
• Subtypes of Applied Research:
• Technological Applied Research: Improves processes, tools, or systems.
• Scientific Applied Research: Focuses on predictive models (e.g., consumer behavior).

2.1 Exploratory Research

• Alternative Names: Formative Research, Pilot Research.
• Focus: Explores an unknown or poorly understood area to generate hypotheses or frameworks.
• Example: Exploring the role of social media on self-image.
• Common Applications: Social sciences, marketing, and behavioral studies.

2.2 Descriptive Research

• Alternative Names: Observational Research, Analytical Study (when paired with analysis).
• Focus: Describes characteristics or phenomena without investigating causes.
• Example: Conducting a public census or observing wildlife behavior.
• Common Applications: Public health studies, census data analysis.

2.3 Explanatory Research

• Alternative Names: Analytical Research.
• Focus: Establishes cause-and-effect relationships and generalizations.
• Example: Studying the impact of a new teaching method on student performance.
• Common Applications: Psychology, education, and policy analysis.

2.4 Correlational Research

• Alternative Names: Association Research.
• Focus: Identifies relationships between variables but does not establish causation.
• Example: Examining the correlation between hours of sleep and productivity.
• Common Applications: Psychology, sociology, and epidemiology.

3. Types of Research According to Data Used

3.1 Qualitative Research

• Alternative Names: Interpretive Research, Subjective Research.
• Focus: Examines non-numeric data to understand the meaning of phenomena.
• Example: Interviews to study the impact of unemployment on mental health.
• Common Applications: Social sciences, humanities, and ethnography.

3.2 Quantitative Research

• Alternative Names: Numerical Research, Statistical Research.
• Focus: Uses numeric data and statistical tools to analyze phenomena.
• Example: Measuring sales performance over time.
• Common Applications: Economics, marketing, and clinical trials.

4. Types of Research According to Manipulation of Variables

4.1 Experimental Research

• Alternative Names: Controlled Research, Causal Research.
• Focus: Involves manipulating variables to study effects under controlled conditions.
• Example: Randomized controlled trials for drug testing.
• Common Applications: Medicine, chemistry, and psychology.

4.2 Non-Experimental Research

• Alternative Names: Observational Research, Naturalistic Research.
• Focus: Observes phenomena in their natural environment without interference.
• Example: Studying the effects of air pollution on respiratory health.
• Common Applications: Ecology, sociology, and epidemiology.

4.3 Quasi-Experimental Research

• Alternative Names: Semi-Experimental Research.
• Focus: Manipulates variables but does not use random assignment for study groups.
• Example: Studying the impact of a new teaching policy in specific schools.
• Common Applications: Education, public health, and social sciences.

5. Types of Research According to Inference

5.1 Deductive Research

• Alternative Names: Top-Down Approach.
• Focus: Tests a hypothesis derived from general theories.
• Example: Testing the law of supply and demand.
• Common Applications: Economics, physics, and mathematics.

5.2 Inductive Research

• Alternative Names: Bottom-Up Approach.
• Focus: Develops new theories from observations.
• Example: Observing consumer preferences to propose a new market theory.
• Common Applications: Ethnography, anthropology, and marketing.

5.3 Hypothetical-Deductive Research

• Alternative Names: Scientific Method.
• Focus: Combines observations, hypotheses, and experimentation to validate or refute a hypothesis.
• Example: Studying the effectiveness of a vaccine based on prior assumptions.
• Common Applications: All empirical sciences.

6. Types of Research According to Time Frame

6.1 Longitudinal Research

• Alternative Names: Diachronic Research, Time-Series Research.
• Focus: Studies the same group or phenomenon over an extended period.
• Example: Monitoring the health of a cohort over 20 years.
• Common Applications: Epidemiology, education, and developmental psychology.

6.2 Cross-Sectional Research

• Alternative Names: Synchronic Research.
• Focus: Observes a phenomenon at a single point in time.
• Example: Surveying public opinions on climate change in 2024.
• Common Applications: Sociology, healthcare, and market research.

7. Types of Research According to Sources of Information

7.1 Primary Research

• Alternative Names: First-Hand Research, Field Research (when performed on-site).
• Focus: Collects new, original data directly from sources.
• Example: Conducting interviews with experts.
• Common Applications: Journalism, ethnography, and experimental sciences.

7.2 Secondary Research

• Alternative Names: Literature Review, Desk Research.
• Focus: Analyzes existing data from prior research or publications.
• Example: Using government statistics for a population study.
• Common Applications: Social sciences, education, and business.

Most Commonly Conducted Research Types

1. Quantitative Research: Especially in STEM fields and market analysis due to its reliability and generalizability.
2. Applied Research: Frequently used in business, medicine, and engineering to solve real-world problems.
3. Descriptive Research: Common in social sciences for understanding phenomena without interference.
4. Experimental Research: Widely used in medicine, psychology, and natural sciences for cause-effect relationships.
5. Secondary Research: Often used due to ease of access and cost-effectiveness.