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PRESENTATION ON THE TYPES OF RESEARCH

Research can be categorized into several types, including basic vs. applied and qualitative vs. quantitative. Basic research seeks to expand knowledge without immediate applications, while applied research addresses specific problems. Qualitative research focuses on understanding experiences, whereas quantitative research measures and analyzes numerical data, with both approaches being valuable depending on the study's goals.

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6 views

PRESENTATION ON THE TYPES OF RESEARCH

Research can be categorized into several types, including basic vs. applied and qualitative vs. quantitative. Basic research seeks to expand knowledge without immediate applications, while applied research addresses specific problems. Qualitative research focuses on understanding experiences, whereas quantitative research measures and analyzes numerical data, with both approaches being valuable depending on the study's goals.

Uploaded by

Emmanuel Nkhuwa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PRESENTATION ON THE TYPES OF RESEARCH

Research can be categorized in numerous ways, depending on the goals, methods, and types of
data involved. Several key classifications exist.

1. Basic vs. Applied Research:

Basic Research (Fundamental Research): This type of research expands knowledge and
understanding of fundamental principles and theories, often without immediate practical
applications. It aims to increase knowledge for its own sake, furthering our understanding of the
world. Examples include exploring the properties of a new material or investigating the behavior
of subatomic particles.

Applied Research: This research focuses on solving specific practical problems or addressing
real-world issues. It aims to find solutions to immediate problems, often drawing on existing
theoretical knowledge. Examples include developing a new drug to treat a disease or improving
the efficiency of a manufacturing process.

2. Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research:

Qualitative Research: This approach emphasizes in-depth understanding of experiences,


perspectives, and meanings. It often uses methods like interviews, observations, and text analysis
to gather rich, descriptive data. The focus is on exploring complex social phenomena. However,
this approach emphasizes numerical data and statistical analysis to test hypotheses and establish
relationships between variables. It often uses methods like surveys, experiments, and statistical
modeling. The goal is to measure and quantify phenomena. Therefore, Qualitative research
focuses on exploring ideas, experiences, and social phenomena in-depth. It seeks to understand
why and how something happens rather than measuring it numerically. Researchers use this
method to gather rich, descriptive data that provides deeper insight into human behaviors,
beliefs, and motivations.

Example:
Imagine you want to study the impact of drought on food security in Chilonga village. In a
qualitative approach, you might interview farmers to understand their experiences, how they
cope with food shortages, and their perceptions of climate change.

Key Features of Qualitative Research:

 Data Collection: Through interviews, focus groups, and observations.


 Data Type: Text, images, or audio recordings.
 Analysis: Thematic analysis (identifying patterns and meanings in responses).
 Outcome: A detailed, descriptive understanding of the issue.

Quantitative Research

Quantitative research focuses on measuring and analyzing data using numbers and statistics. It
seeks to answer how much, how many, or how often something happens. This method is used
to test hypotheses and find patterns or relationships between variables.

Example:

In the same study on drought and food security, a quantitative approach would involve
surveying 100 households to determine how many experience food shortages and for how long.
You could then analyze the percentage of affected households and compare it with rainfall data.

Key Features of Quantitative Research:

 Data Collection: Through surveys, experiments, and statistical records.


 Data Type: Numerical data (percentages, frequencies, averages).
 Analysis: Statistical methods such as regression analysis, mean calculations, or
hypothesis testing.
 Outcome: Generalizable findings that apply to a larger population.

Key Differences between Qualitative and Quantitative Research


Aspect Qualitative Research Quantitative Research
Purpose Understand experiences & meanings Measure & analyze numerical data
Data Type Text, images, words Numbers, statistics
Method Interviews, focus groups, case studies Surveys, experiments, statistical analysis
Analysis Thematic, descriptive Statistical, mathematical
Results In-depth insights Generalizable findings

Both research methods are valuable depending on the study's goals. Qualitative research is
useful when seeking a deeper understanding of people's experiences, while quantitative
research is best for measuring trends and making comparisons. In some cases, combining both
approaches (mixed methods) provides a more comprehensive understanding of a research
problem.

3. Other Types of Research:

Exploratory Research: This type of research aims to explore a topic or issue in detail to gain a
better understanding of it before conducting more focused research. It is often used when little is
known about a topic.

Descriptive Research: This research describes the characteristics of a population or


phenomenon. It answers "what" questions, focusing on details and attributes.

Explanatory Research: This research focuses on explaining the "why" behind observed
phenomena. It investigates cause-and-effect relationships. This is often used with quantitative
methods, aiming to test and establish causal links.

Evaluative Research: This type of research assesses the effectiveness of a program, policy, or
intervention. It examines the impacts and outcomes of specific initiatives.

Action Research: This is a cyclical process of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting on
interventions aimed at improving a specific situation or practice. It's often participatory and
iterative.
In conclusion, the choice of research type depends heavily on the research question, the
available resources, and the desired outcomes. Researchers often combine elements of different
types to address complex issues more effectively.

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