Name : Sushma

Roll No. : 10287

Types of Research
Research methods can be defined as the systematic method consisting of enunciating the
problem, formulating a hypothesis, collecting the facts or data, analyzing the facts, and reaching
certain conclusions in either in the form of solutions towards the concerned problems or in
certain generalization for some theoretical formulation.
Types of research methods can be classified into several categories according to the nature and
purpose of the study and other attributes.

General Classification of Types of Research Methods

Quantitative Qualitative
Research Research

Quantitative Research “describes, infers, and resolves problems using numbers. Emphasis is
placed on the collection of numerical data, the summary of those data and the drawing of
inferences from the data”.

Qualitative Research is based on words, feelings, emotions, sounds and other non-numerical and
unquantifiable elements. It has been noted that “information is considered qualitative in nature if
it cannot be analyzed by means of mathematical techniques this characteristic may also mean
that an incident does not take place often enough to allow reliable data to be collected”.

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Name : Sushma
Roll No. : 10287
Assignment : Research Methodology & Legal Writing

Types of Research Methods According to Nature of the Study

Descriptive Analytical
Research Research

Descriptive Research usually involves surveys and studies that aim to identify the facts. In other
words, descriptive research mainly deals with the “description of the state of affairs as it is at
present”, and there is no control over variables in descriptive research.

Analytical Research is fundamentally different in a way that “the researcher has to use facts or
information already available and analyze these in order to make a critical evaluation of the
material”.

Types of Research Methods According to the Purpose of the Study

Applied Fundamental
Research Research

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Name : Sushma
Roll No. : 10287
Assignment : Research Methodology & Legal Writing

Applied Research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an
industrial/business organization. Research aimed at certain conclusions (say, a solution) facing a
concrete social or business problem is an example of applied research. Research to identify
social, economic, or political trends that may affect a particular institution or the copy research
(research to find out whether certain communications will be read and understood) or the
marketing research or evaluation research are examples of applied research. Thus, the central
aim of applied research is to discover a solution for some pressing practical problem.

Fundamental Research is mainly concerned with generalizations and with the formulation of a
theory. Research concerning some natural phenomenon or relating to pure mathematics are
examples of fundamental research. Similarly, research studies, concerning human behavior
carried on with a view to make generalizations about human behavior, are also examples of
fundamental research.

Some Other Types of Research

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.

Empirical Research relies on experience or observation alone, often without due regard for
system and theory. It is data-based research, coming up with conclusions which are capable of
being verified by observation or experiment. We can also call it as experimental type of research.
In such a research it is necessary to get at facts firsthand, at their source, and actively to go about
doing certain things to stimulate the production of desired information. In such a research, the
researcher must first provide himself with a working hypothesis or guess as to the probable
results. He then works to get enough facts (data) to prove or disprove his hypothesis. He then
sets up experimental designs which he thinks will manipulate the persons or the materials
concerned so as to bring forth the desired information. Such research is thus characterized by the
experimenter’s control over the variables under study and his deliberate manipulation of one of
them to study its effects. Empirical research is appropriate when proof is sought that certain
variables affect other variables in some way. Evidence gathered through experiments or
empirical studies is today considered to be the most powerful support possible for a given
hypothesis.

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Name : Sushma
Roll No. : 10287
Assignment : Research Methodology & Legal Writing

Doctrinal Research is concerned with analysis of the legal doctrine and how it has been
developed and applied” and these types of research known “as pure theoretical research”
Doctrinal research involves analysis of case law, arranging, ordering, and systematizing legal
propositions and study of legal institutions through legal reasoning or rational deduction” It also
provides the systematic exposition of the rules which are governing in a particular legal category.
Perhaps, the doctrinal research also predicts future development and explains the areas of the
difficulty. The doctrinal research thus involves systematic analysis of statutory provision and of
legal principle involves therein, or derived there from, and logical and rational ordering of the
legal propositions and principles.

Historical Research is that which utilizes historical sources like documents, remains, etc. to
study events or ideas of the past, including the philosophy of persons and groups at any remote
point of time.

References:
1. Book - Research Methodology Methods & Techniques - By C.R Kothari
2. Article - Doctrinal legal research method a guiding principle in reforming the law and
legal system towards the research development. International Journal of Law ISSN:
2455-2194 Volume 3; Issue 5; September 2017; Page No. 128-130