Classification of Research

Dr. Anshul Singh Thapa

 Classification of Research
Research can be classified by its purpose, its
process and its outcomes.

Purpose Process Outcome

•Exploratory •Quantitative •Applied

•Descriptive •Qualitative •Basic/ Pure/ Fundamental
•Analytical •Action
•Predictive
 Purpose of Research
Exploratory Research
This is conducted when there are few or no
earlier studies to which references can be
made for information. The aim is to look for
patterns, ideas or hypotheses rather than
testing or confirming a hypotheses. In
exploratory research the focus is on gaining
insights and familiarity with the subject area
for more rigorous investigation later.
Descriptive Research
This describe phenomenon as they exist. It is used
to identify and obtain information on the
characteristics of a particular issue.
The major purpose of descriptive research is
description of the state of affairs as it exists at
present.
in social sciences we quite often use the term Ex
post facto research for descriptive research studies.
The main characteristic of this method is that the
researcher has no control over the variables; he can
only report what has happened or what is
happening.
Contd…..

Most ex post facto research projects are used for

descriptive studies in which researcher seek to
measure such items as frequency of something,
preferences of something, or similar data.
Ex post facto research also include attempt by
researchers to discover cause even when they
cannot control the variables.
the method of research utilized in descriptive
research are survey methods of all kinds,
including comparative and correlational method.
Analytical or Explanatory Research
This is continuation of descriptive research. The
researcher goes beyond merely describing the
characteristics, to analyze and explain why and
how something is happening.
Thus, analytical research aims to understand
phenomenon by discovering and measuring
casual relationship among them.
In this research, the researcher has to use facts
or information already available, and analyze
these to make a critical evaluation of the
material.
Predictive Research
Predictive research goes further by forecasting
the likelihood of similar situation occurring
elsewhere. It aims to generalize from the
analysis by predicting certain phenomenon on
the basis of hypothesized, general
relationships.
Predictive research provides ‘how’, ‘why’, and
‘where’ answers to current events as well as to
similar events in the future.
Quantitative Research
Quantitative research is based on the
measurement of quantity or amount. It is
applicable to the phenomenon that can be
expressed in terms of quantity. It involves the
generation of data in quantitative form which
can be subject to rigorous quantitative analysis
in a formal and rigid form. This approach of
research can be further sub-divided into
inferential, experimental and simulation
approach
Contd…

• The purpose of the Inferential approach to research is

to form a data base from which to infer characteristics
or relationships of population. This is usually means
survey research where a sample of population is
studied (questioned or observed) to determine its
characteristics.
• Experimental approach is characterized by much
greater control over the research environment and in
this case some variables are manipulated to observe
their effect on other variables.
• Simulation approach involves the construct of an
artificial environment within which the relevant
information and data can be gathered.
Qualitative Research
Qualitative research, on the other hand, is concerned with
qualitative phenomenon, i.e., phenomena related to or
involving quality or kind. This types of research aims at
discovering the underlying motives and desires. Through
such kind of research we can analyze the various factors
which motivate people to behave in a particular manner
or which make people to like or dislike a particular thing.
This approach of research is concerned with subjective
assessment of attitudes, opinions and behaviour.
Research in such a situation is a function of researcher’s
insights and impression.
Such an approach to research generate results either in
non-quantitative form or in the form which are not
subjected to rigorous quantitative analysis.
Fundamental Research
Basic research is also called fundamental
research or pure research, and is conducted
primarily to improve our understanding of
general issues, without any emphasis on its
immediate application.
It is regarded as the most academic form of
research since the principle aim is to make a
contribution to knowledge, usually for general
good, rather than to solve a specific problem
for one generation.
It is generally concerned with generalizations
and with the formulation of theory. Research
studies, concerning human behaviour carried
on with a view to make generalizations about
human behaviour, are also examples of
fundamental research, but research aimed at
certain conclusions (say, a solution) facing a
concrete social or business problems is an
examples of applied research.
Applied Research
Applied research adapt the theories, developed
through fundamental research, to the solution
of problems. Applied research aims at finding
a solution for an immediate problem facing by
a society/ institution/ business organization
etc.
Action Research
This is the form of research where researcher
‘interferes’ with or changes – deliberately –
what is being researched. The critics of action
research argues that since the researcher is
changing what is being researched during the
process of research, the work cannot be
replicated. If it cannot be replicated its findings
cannot be tested in other situations. This
prevents general knowledge being developed
and thus it cannot contribute to theory.
Action Research is focused on the immediate
application, not on the development of theory,
nor upon general application. It has placed its
emphasis on a problem, here and now, in a local
setting.
Action research attempts to apply the spirit of
scientific methods to the solution of problems in
a particular setting, without any assumptions
about the general application of findings without
any assumptions about the general application
of findings beyond the situation studied.