By. Md.

Shams Mukhtar

Types of research
Research:
Research comprises "creative and systematic work undertaken to increase
the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of humans, culture and
society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications."
It is used to establish or confirm facts, reaffirm the results of previous work,
solve new or existing problems, support theorems, or develop new theories.
A research project may also be an expansion on past work in the field.
Research projects can be used to develop further knowledge on a topic.

1).Basic research:-
This research is conducted largely for the enhancement of knowledge, and
is research which does not have immediate commercial potential. The
research which is done for human welfare, animal welfare and plant
kingdom welfare. It is called basic, pure, fundamental research. The main
motivation here is to expand man's knowledge, not to create or invent
something. According to Travers, “Basic Research is designed to add to an
organized body of scientific knowledge and does not necessarily produce
results of immediate practical value.” Such a research is time and cost
intensive.

1) Also known as fundamental research /pure research.

2) This is research carried out to increase understanding of fundamental
principles (the research which already exist).
3) Add new knowledge to existing knowledge and talk only about concept
based.
4) Basic research is scientific and analytical in nature and universally
applicable.
5) When knowledge is acquired for the sake of increasing knowledge it is
called basic research
6) Basic research is completely theoretical in nature that focusses on basic
principles and testing theories (which exist)
7) It tends (झझझझझ) to understand the basic law.
8) Basic research deals with generalization and formulation of theory about
human behaviour
9) It is aligned (झझझझझझझझझझ झझझझ) towards collecting information
that has universally applicable.
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10) Many times the end results have no direct or immediate commercial
benefits.
11) Basic research can be a thought and it can come through/from your
curiosity (जिज्ञासा).
12) However, in the long term it is the basis for many commercial
products and applied research.
13) Basic research is mainly carried out by universities.
14) It answers about “How”?

Examples:-
 How did the universe begin?
 How the new knowledge can be gained?

2).Applied research
Applied research is designed to solve practical problems of the modern
world, rather than to acquire knowledge for knowledge's sake. The goal of
applied research is to improve the human condition. It focuses on analysis
and solving social and real life problems. This research is generally
conducted on a large scale basis and is expensive. As such, it is often
conducted with the support of some financing agency like the national
government, public corporation, World Bank, UNICEF, UGC, Etc.
According to Hunt, “applied research is an investigation for ways of using
scientific knowledge to solve practical problems.
1) Fundamental research sets principles and applied research utilizes
those principles to know the problems with best possible manner.
2) This type of research is based on the application of known theories and
models to the actual operational fields or populations.
3) Concern with addressing problem of the world (mean it is problem
solving research) as they are perceived by participants, organization or
group of people.
4) Action oriented ( action is done) and aims to assess, describe document
or inform people concerned about the phenomenon (झझझझझझ झझझझझ/
झझझझझझ झझझझ/ झझझझ) under investigation.
5) Findings are intended ( झझझझ/ इरादा) to have immediate a practical
value.
6) In the field of education, policy, evaluation and contract are all
examples of applied research.
7) A research that encompasses (शाजिल/रखना/सम्मिजलतकरना)real life
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 By. Md.Shams Mukhtar
8) It is directed towards providing a solution to the specific practical
problems and develop innovative technology.
9) Application of the concepts.
10) It is the research that can be applied to real-life (daily life) situations.
11) Research that is aligned (झझझझझझझझझझ झझझझ) towards
ascertaining ( झझझझ झझ झझझ झझझझझ) social, economic or political
trends.
12) Synthesis (the combination of ideas into a complex whole) in nature
13) It answer of “Why”?
Examples:
 A product is not getting customer know the reasons? (Mean why
the product is not getting customer, answer)
 What are the measures that will help to control the prices of petrol
in India?(mean why the prices of petrol are increasing in India,
answer)

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Comparison Chart

BASIS FOR
BASIC RESEARCH APPLIED RESEARCH
COMPARISON

Meaning Basic Research refers to Applied Research is the research

the study that is aimed that is designed to solve specific
at expanding the practical problems or answer
existing base of certain questions.
scientific
knowledge.

Nature Theoretical Practical

Utility Universal Limited

Concerned with Developing scientific Development of technology and

knowledge and technique
predictions

Goal To add some To find out solution for the

knowledge to the problem at hand.
existing one.

Type of Scientific discovery Technological

knowledge (science) application(technology)
produced

Motivation Intellectual curiosity Solving problems

Key questions Is it true? Does it work?

Objective To understand To come up with solutions

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3).Exploratory research
Exploratory research is defined as a research used to investigate a problem
which is not clearly defined yet. It is conducted to have a better
understanding of the existing problem, but will not provide conclusive
results.Exploratoryresearchhelpsdetermine the
best research design, data-collection method and selection of subjects.
1) Exploratory research, as the name implies, intends (झझझझ/ इरादा) merely
to explore the research questions and does not intend to offer final and
conclusive solutions to existing problems.
2) This type of research is usually conducted to study a problem that has
not been clearly defined yet.
3) Exploratory research is not intended to provide conclusive evidence,
but helps us to have a better understanding of the problem.
4) Exploratory research is the initial research, which forms the basis of
more conclusive research.
5) It can even help in determining the research design, sampling methodology
and data collection method.
6) Exploratory research “tends to tackle new problems on which little or no
previous research has been done.

Examples
 A study into the role of social networking sites as an effective marketing
communication channel
 An investigation into the ways of improvement of quality of customer
services within hospitality sector in India.

4).Descriptive research :-
Descriptive research is used to describe characteristics of a population or
phenomenon being studied. It does not answer questions about
how/when/why the characteristics occurred. Rather it addresses the "what"
question (what are the characteristics of the population or situation being
studied?) Descriptive research is research used to “describe” a situation,
subject, behaviour, or phenomenon. It is used to answer questions of who,
what, when, where, and how associated with a particular research question
or problem. Descriptive studies are often described as studies that are
concerned with finding out “what is”. In social science and business
research we quite often use the term Ex post facto research for descriptive
research studies.
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1) Descriptive research methods are pretty much as they sound —
they describe situations. They do not make accurate predictions, and they do not
determine cause and effect.
2) Also known as statistical research.
3) Tell about what is /what was?
4) They are at present with the researcher having no control over variable.
5) Descriptive studies may be characterised as simply the attempt to
determine, describe or identify what is.
6) Descriptive studies are used to describe various aspects of the
phenomenon (झझझझझझ झझझझझ/ झझझझझझ झझझझ/ झझझझ).it
includes research related to specific predictions, features or functions
of person or group, the narration of facts, etc.
7) In its popular format, descriptive research is used to describe characteristics
and/or behaviour of sample population.
8) Generally Three methods are used in descriptive research
 Survey and fact findings.
 Observations.
 Case studies
 Observational Method – Used to review and record the actions and
behaviours of a group of test subjects in their natural environment. The
research typically does not have interaction with the test subject.
 Case Study Method – This is a much more in-depth student of an
individual or small group of individuals. It may or may not involve
interaction with the test subjects.
 Survey Method – Researchers interact with individual test subjects by
collecting information through the use of surveys or interviews.

9) Three main purpose of descriptive studies are:

 Describing
 Explaining
 Validating research findings
10) Descriptive research can employ a number of variables, only one
variable is required to conduct a descriptive study.
11) Descriptive research concentrates on formulating the research
objective, designing methods for the collection of data, designing
methods for the collection of data, selection of the sample, data
collection, processing, and analysis, reporting the results.
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Examples of descriptive research

 Market studies-
Which describe size of the market, buying power of consumers, availability
of distributors & consumers profiles.

 Market share studies

Which determine proportion of total sale received by a company & its
competitors

 Sales analysis studies

Which describe sales by geographic regions, product line, type & size of
account

5).Casual research /experimental research/explanatory

research
Causal research, as the name specifies, tried to determine the cause
underlying a given behaviour. It finds the cause and effect relationship
between variables. It seeks to determine how the dependent variable
changes with variations in the independent variable. Causal Research
explores the effect of one thing on another and more specifically, the effect
of one variable on another. The research is used to measure what impact a
specific change will have on existing norms and allows market researchers
to predict hypothetical scenarios upon which a company can base its
business plan.
1) Answer “what will be”?
2) Cause and effect relationship.(eg: price and demand)
3) Causal research, also known as explanatory research
4) Is conducted in order to identify the extent and nature of cause-and-
effect relationships.
5) Causal studies focus on an analysis of a situation or a specific problem
to explain the patterns of relationships between variables.
Examples ::
 To assess the impacts of foreign direct investment (FDI an independent
variable) on the levels of economic growth (dependent variable) in Taiwan
 To analyse the effects of re-branding (independent variable) initiatives on
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the levels of customer loyalty (dependent variable)

 By. Md.Shams Mukhtar

 Comparison Chart
Causal Exploratory Descriptive
research research research
Amount of uncertainty Clearly defined Highly ambiguous Partially defined
characterising decision ( झझझझझझझ)
situation

Key research statement Research hypotheses Research question Research question

When conducted? Later stages of decision Early stage of decision Later stages of decision
making making making

Usual research approach Highly structured Unstructured Structured

Examples ‘Will consumers buy ‘Our sales are ‘What kind of people
more products in a blue declining for no patronize our stores
package?’ apparent reason’ compared to our
‘Which of two ‘What kinds of new primary competitor?’
advertising campaigns products are fast-food ‘What product features
will be more effective?’ consumers interested are the most important
in?’ to our customers?’

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6).Action Research
action research refers to a wide variety of evaluative, investigative, and
analytical research methods designed to diagnose problems or
weaknesses—whether organizational, academic, or instructional—and
help educators develop practical solutions to address them quickly and
efficiently.
Action research is a process in which participants examine their
own educational practice systematically and carefully, using the techniques
of research.
Action research may also be applied to programs or educational techniques
that are not necessarily experiencing any problems, but that educators
simply want to learn more about and improve. The general goal is to create
a simple, practical, repeatable process of iterative learning, evaluation, and
improvement that leads to increasingly better results for schools, teachers,
or programs.
1) It is a part of applied research
2) Research intends to find out immediate solutions for a problem that the
society is actually experiencing.
3) Conducted on the basis of application of theories or models for finding a
solution for an immediate problem faced by the society.
4) Action research may also be called a cycle of action or cycle of inquiry
5) Kurt Lewin (1940) is generally credited as the person who coined the
term ‘action research’
6) Practical immediate solution of organizational, academic, institutional
problem.
7) Action research is mostly used in classroom

Action v/s applied research

Sr.no. Action research
1 Goal is to solve problem for
local concern(eg.classroom)
2 Little training is required to
conduct study.
3 To identify problem for local
concern.
4 carried out by practitioner
5 Less rigorous (कठोर)
Formal or applied research
To test theory, produce knowledge
for wide pop.
Considerable training is required
To investigate larger issues and
concerns
Carried out by expert researchers
More rigorous
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6 For local applicability For general applicability

 By. Md.Shams Mukhtar

7).Conceptual research
Conceptual research is defined as a methodology wherein research is
conducted by observing and analysing already present information on a
given topic. Conceptual research doesn’t involve conducting any practical
experiments. Conceptual research is that related to some abstract idea(s)
or theory. It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new
concepts or to reinterpret existing ones.
1) Similar to basic research
2) It is related to abstract concepts or ideas or theories.
3) Conceptual research is generally used by philosophers and thinkers.
4) Reinterpret (पुनर्व्ााख्या) the existing concepts.

8).Empirical research
Empirical research is the process of testing a hypothesis using
experimentation, direct or indirect observation and experience. Empiricism
defines a way of gathering knowledge by direct observation and experience
rather than through logic or reason alone.
1) Also known as experimental research.
2) Based on experience and observations alone
3) Data based research.
4) Conclusions being verified

Conceptual v/s empirical research

Conceptual
Research is that related to some
abstract idea or theory.it is
generally used by philosophers
and thinkers to develop new
concepts or re-interpret the
existing one.
Empirical
Research is that in which
experience or observation alone
are the tools of research.it is data-
based research and it can be
further verified by observation or
experimentation.
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9) Analytical Research

 In Analytical Research, the researcher has to use facts or information

that already available, and analyse them to make a critical evaluation
of the material.
 It involves the in-depth study and evaluation of available information in
an attempt to explain complex phenomenon (झझझझझझ झझझझझ/
झझझझझझ झझझझ/ झझझझ).
 A n a l y t i c a l Re s e a r c h i s p r i m a r i l y c o nc e r ne d with testing
hypothesis and specifying and interpreting relationships, by analysing
the facts or information already available.

Differences between descriptive and analytical research

Descriptive research Analytical research

 Fact findings enquires an  Collected data is analysed and
survey methods explained
 Ascertains (पता लगाने) and  Beyond (झझझ) merely describing
describes the characteristics of the characteristics
the issue
 Describes of the state of affairs  Explains existing state of affairs
as it exists at present from available data
 No control over the variables  Works within the constraints
( झझझझझझझझ )variable
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10) Laboratory or Experimental research

Experimental research is any research conducted with a scientific
approach, where a set of variables are kept constant while the other set of
variables are being measured as the subject of experiment.
 It is also called correlational research or casual research
 An experimental research is conducting a laboratory test.
 The researcher manipulates the independent variable. There are a
number of experimental group designs in experimental research, some
of these qualify as experimental research, and others do not.
 In true experimental research, the researcher not only manipulates the
independent variable, he or she also randomly assigned individuals to
the various treatment categories (i.e., control and treatment).

Examples of independent and dependent variables in

experimental research
Independent variables Dependent variables
(cause) (effect)
Type of treatment: different types of Behavioural variables: measures of
drug treatment or psychological adjustment, activity levels, eating
treatments behavior,smoking behaviour

Treatment factors: brief vs. long Physiological variables: measures

term treatment, inpatient vs. of physiological responses such as
outpatient treatment heart rate, blood pressure ,and
brain wave activity

Experimental manipulations: types Self-report variables: measures of

of beverage consumed (alcoholic vs. anxiety, mood, or marital or life
non-alcoholic) satisfaction.
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11) Quasi-Experimental Research ( अर्ा प्रायोजगक)

 In quasi experimental research, the researcher does not randomly assign

subjects to treatment and control groups.
 In other words, the treatment is not distributed among participants
randomly.in some cases, a researcher may randomly assigns one whole
group to treatment and one whole group to control.
 In this case, quasi experimental research involves using intact groups in
an experiment, rather than assigning individuals at random to research
conditions. (Some researchers define this latter situation differently for
our course, we will allow this definition).

Experimental V/S Quasi Experimental Research

Designs

 Experimental research design: the researcher has control over the

experiment in terms of sample selection, treatment, environment, etc.

 Experimental designs are typical in psychology, medicine, education,

etc.
 Quasi experiments: the researcher does not have control over the
experiment, rather the experiment occurs in a natural setting.

 Quasi experimental design are typical in economics, sociology, public

administration, urban planning, political sciences, etc.
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12) Ex Post Facto Research

An ex post facto research design is a method in which groups with qualities
that already exist are compared on some dependent variable. Also known
as "after the fact" research, an 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 a category of research design in which the investigation starts after
the fact has occurred without interference from the researcher.

 It is also often applied as substitute for true experimental research to

test hypotheses about cause and effect relationships on situations in
which it is not practical or ethically acceptable to apply the full protocol
of a true experimental design.

 In causal comparative (ex post facto) research, the groups are already
formed.
 It does not meet the standards of an experiment because the
independent variable is not manipulated.

Non-experimental designs: causal-

comparative (ex-post facto)
 Causal-comparative designs attempt to determine differences that
already exist among groups.
 Characteristics of causal-comparative designs
 Groups already differ on some dependent variable.
Ex. One group may possess a characteristic that the other does
not or each group possesses the characteristic but in differing
amounts
 Researcher attempts to identify retrospectively a major factor
(the independent variable) that led to group differences.

Experimental effects
Ex post facto study Experiment
After the fact report on what happened to Study involving the manipulation or control
the measured variable of one or more variables to determine the
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effect on another variable.

 By. Md.Shams Mukhtar

13) Historical research

 Historical research involving analysis of events that occurred in the
remote or recent past.
 Systematic collection and evaluation of data to describe, explain, and
thereby understand actions or events that occurred sometime in the
past.
 No manipulation or control of variables and primarily focuses in the
past.

14) Longitudinal research

A longitudinal study (or longitudinal survey, or panel study) is a research
design that involves repeated observations of the same variables
(e.g., people) over short or long periods of time (i.e., uses longitudinal data).
 Longitudinal ( झझझझ झझझ झझ) study: - any social or developmental
research involving collection of data from the same individuals (or
groups) across time.

 Observing change in these individuals gives a better bases for causal

inference than a cross sectional study, because of the temporal
sequencing involved. In this sense the longitudinal study is a form of
‘quasi experimental design’.

 Longitudinal studies repeatedly draw sample units of a population over

time.

 One method is to draw different units from the same sampling frame.

 A second method is to use a “panel” where the same people are asked to
respond periodically.

 Online survey research firms recruit panel members to respond to online

queries.
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15) Cross-Sectional Survey

A cross-sectional survey collects data to make inferences (झझझझझझ) about
a population of interest (universe) at one point in time.
 Attempt to simulate ( झझझझझझ झझझझ) longitudinal ( झझझझ झझझ झझ) data
in a shorter time frame
 Data are gathered from multiple samples of the same population
simultaneously
 It may be used to study a phenomenon (झझझझझझ झझझझझ/ झझझझझझ
झझझझ/ झझझझ) at one time or to gather data from multiple groups at
the same time

Cross-sectional Longitudinal
Study diff. Sample on One point in Same sample on Several points in
time time
Different samples Same sample
Snapshot of a given point in time, Change at the individual level
change at a societal level

Eg. British social attitudes survey, Eg, British birth cohort studies,
labour force survey understanding society

16) Primary Research

V/s
17) Secondary Research
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Comparison Chart

BASIS FOR SECONDARY

PRIMARY RESEARCH
COMPARISON RESEARCH

Meaning Research conducted to Secondary Research is one

gather first-hand that involves use of
information, for the information gathered
current problem is called originally by primary
Primary Research. research.

Based on Raw data (fresh data) Analysed and interpreted

information

Carried on by Researcher himself Someone else

Data Specific to the needs of May or may not be specific to

researcher. the needs of researcher.

Process Very Involved Rapid and Easy

Cost High Low

Time Long Short

18) Quantitative Research

V/s
19) Qualitative Research
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Comparison Chart
 By. Md.Shams Mukhtar

BASIS FOR
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
COMPARISON

Meaning Qualitative research is a method Quantitative research is a research

of inquiry that develops method that is used to generate
understanding on human and numerical data and hard facts, by
social sciences, to find the way employing statistical, logical and
people think and feel. mathematical technique.

Nature Holistic Particularistic

Approach Subjective Objective

Research type Exploratory Conclusive

Reasoning Inductive Deductive

Sampling Purposive Random

Data Verbal Measurable

Inquiry Process-oriented Result-oriented

Hypothesis Generated Tested

Elements of Words, pictures and objects Numerical data

analysis

Objective To explore and discover ideas To examine cause and effect

used in the ongoing processes. relationship between variables.

Methods Non-structured techniques like Structured techniques such as

In-depth interviews, group surveys, questionnaires and
discussions etc. observations.

Result Develops initial understanding Recommends final course of

action
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QUALITATIVE QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH RESEARCH
Objective  Exploratory research to establish a base  Quantify data and generalize
purpose of insights on a key topic area results to the target audience
 Measure the incidence of
 Understand underlying motivations, motivations, attitudes, and
attitudes, and perceptions perceptions
 Benchmark and track data over
 Provide insight into problem definition, time
providing hypotheses and language for  Predict future behaviours (with
subsequent quantitative evaluation caution)
 Understand differences between
target audience segments
Sample  Small and narrow  Large and broad
 Not statistically projectable  Usually statistically projectable
Methodology  Focus groups, in depth interviews,  Surveys conducted by phone,
ethnographies, shop along, etc. online/mobile, or mail
 Can be in person, by phone, or online
Data  Semi structured, using discussion  Highly structured questionnaires
collection guides  Few changes (if any) over the course
 Can evolve over the course of the study of the study
 Wide variety of question types, both
close and open ended
Data analysis  Non statistical, generally non  Numeric and statistical
numeric  May include advanced analytic
 Focusing on concepts and images techniques
 Includes content analysis,
observations
Reporting  Directional in nature  Reports are graphical
outcome  Not projectable to the total target  Representative of the target
audience audience
 Often used to develop a sound  Provides guidance for business
understanding as a basis for future decisions and course of action
research
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