Kinds and Classifications of

Research

In Research.
There are many kinds of research
which are classified according to
their distinctive features.

Research according to PURPOSE

Predictive / Prognostic Research

It

has the purpose of determining the future

operation of the variables under investigation
with the aim of controlling or redirecting such
for the better

Research according to PURPOSE

Predictive research goes further by

forecasting the likelihood of a similar
situation occurring elsewhere. It aims to
generalise from the analysis by predicting
certain phenomena on the basis of
hypothesised, general relationships.

Research according to PURPOSE

Predictive Reseach
it

may attempt to answer questions such as:

Will the introduction of an employee bonus scheme

lead to higher levels of productivity?
What type of packaging will improve our products?

provides

how, why, and where answers to

current events as well as to similar events in
the future. It is also helpful in situations where
What if? questions are being asked.

Research according to PURPOSE

Directive Research
This

determines what should be done based

on the findings.
This is to remedy an unsatisfactory condition
if there is any.

Research according to PURPOSE

Illuminative Research
This

is concerned with the interaction of the

components of the variable being investigated

Research according to PURPOSE

Illuminative Research
Example:

Interaction of the components of educational

systems and aims to show the connections among,
for example, student characteristics, organizational
patterns and policies, and educational
consequences

Research according to GOAL

Basic / Pure Research

This

is done for the development of theories

or principles.
conducted primarily to improve our
understanding of general issues, without any
emphasis on its immediate application
Done mostly in psychology and sociology

Research according to GOAL

Basic / Pure Research

the

most academic form of research since the

principal aim is to make a contribution to
knowledge, usually for the general good,
rather than to solve a specific problem for one
organization

Research according to GOAL

Basic / Pure Research

may take the form of the following:

Discovery where a totally new idea or explanation emerges
from empirical research which may revolutionize thinking on
that particular topic. An example of this would be the Hawthorne
experiments. (Gillespie, 1991)

Invention where a new technique or method is created. An

example of this would be the invention of TQM (total quality
management).
Reflection where an existing theory, technique or group of
ideas is re-examined possibly in a different organizational or
social context. For example, to what extent can Herzbergs
theory of motivation be applied to front-line workers in the
contract catering sector?
(Torrington & Hall, 1995)

Research according to GOAL

Applied Research
This

research is the application of results in

pure research.
Testing the efficacy of theories and priciples

Research according to GOAL

Applied Research
Example:

A principle says that praise reinforces learning. To

determine of this is true, one conducts an
experiment in which there are two classes. In one
class, he uses praise but in the other class there is
no praise at all. all other things are kept equal. At
the end of the experimental period, he gives the
same test to the two classes. If the scores of the
pupils in the class with praise are significantly
higher than those in the class without praise then
the principle is true.

Research according to LEVELS OF

INVESTIGATION

Exploratory Research
Studies

the variables pertinent to a specific

situation.
This is conducted when there are few or no
earlier studies to which references can be
made for information.
aim is to look for patterns, ideas or
hypotheses rather than testing or confirming a
hypothesis

Research according to LEVELS OF

INVESTIGATION

Exploratory Research
The

focus is on gaining insights and familiarity

with the subject area for more rigorous
investigation later .

Research according to LEVELS OF

INVESTIGATION

Descriptive Research
Studies

the relationships of the variables

This describes phenomena as they exist
It is used to identify and obtain information on
the characteristics of a particular issue.
The data collected are often quantitative, and
statistical techniques are usually used to
summarize the information

Research according to LEVELS OF

INVESTIGATION

Descriptive Research
goes

further than exploratory research in

examining a problem since it is undertaken to
ascertain and describe the characteristics of
the issue.
It may answer such questions as:
What is the absentee rate amongst a particular
group of workers?
What are the feelings of workers faced with
redundancy?

Research according to LEVELS OF

INVESTIGATION

Experimental Research
Studies the effects of the variables
This is an experiment where the

on each other

researcher manipulates one variable,

and control/randomizes the rest of the variables. It has
a control group, the subjects have been randomly
assigned between the groups, and the researcher only
tests one effect at a time. It is also important to know
what variable(s) you want to test and measure.
commonly used in sciences such as sociology and
psychology, physics, chemistry, biology and medicine
etc.

Research according to LEVELS OF

INVESTIGATION

Experimental Research
Experimental

Research is often used where:

There is time priority in a causal relationship

(cause precedes effect)
There is consistency in a causal relationship (a
cause will always lead to the same effect)
The magnitude of the correlation is great.

Research according to the TYPE

OF ANALYSIS

Analytic Approach
The

researcher attempts to identify and

isolate the components of the research
situation.
aims to understand phenomena by
discovering and measuring causal relations
among them.

Research according to the TYPE

OF ANALYSIS

Analytic Approach (reductive)

It

may answer questions such as:

How can the number of complaints made by

customers be reduced?
How can the absentee rate among employees be
reduced?
Why is the introduction of empowerment seen as a
threat by departmental managers?

Research according to the TYPE

OF ANALYSIS

Holistic Approach (systems approach)

It

begins with the total situation, focusing

attention on the system first and then on its
internal relationships. (Treece and Treece Jr.)

Research according to the SCOPE

Action Research
This

is a form of research where action is both

an outcome and a part of the research
It is done on a very limited scope to solve a
particular problem which is not so big.
It is almost problem solving

Research according to the SCOPE

Action Research
The

researcher interferes with or changes

deliberately what is being researched.
The critics of action research argue 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.

Research according to the SCOPE

Action Research
two

approaches:

Classical action research begins with the idea that if you

want to understand something you should try changing it.
New paradigm research is based on a new model or
framework for research. It claims that research can never be
neutral and that even the most static and conventional
research exposes the need for change in what is being
researched. It involves inquiry into persons and relations
between persons, and is based on a close relationship
between researcher and those being researched

Research according to CHOICE

OF ANSWERS TO PROBLEMS

Evaluation Research
Is

the systematic application of social

research procedures for assessing the
conceptualization, design, implementation
and utility of social intervention programs.
(Rossi and Freeman, 1993:5)
All possible courses of action are specified
and identified and the researcher tries to find
the most advantageous.

Research according to CHOICE

OF ANSWERS TO PROBLEMS

Developmental Research
The focus is on finding or developing a more
suitable instrument or process than has been
available (Treece and Treece, Jr,.)
Is the systematic study of designing, developing,
and evaluating instructional programs, processes,
and products that must meet criteria of internal
consistency and effectiveness. (Richey, 1994)

Research according to
STATISTICAL CONTENT

Quantitative / Statistical Research

Inferential

statistics are utilized to determine

the results of the study.

Inferential statistics such as correlation, chisquare, analysis of variance, etc. are used to test
the hypothesis

Usually

includes comparison studies, cause

and effect relationships, etc.

Research according to
STATISTICAL CONTENT

Quantitative / Statistical Research

The

quantitative approach usually starts with a

theory or a general statement proposing a
general relationship between variables.
With this approach it is likely that the
researchers will take an objective position and
their approach will be to treat phenomena as
hard and real. They will favor methods such as
surveys and experiments, and will attempt to
test hypotheses or statements with a view to
generalizing from the particular.

Research according to
STATISTICAL CONTENT

Quantitative / Statistical Research

This

approach typically concentrates on

measuring or counting and involves collecting
and analyzing numerical data and applying
statistical tests.

Research according to
STATISTICAL CONTENT

Non- quantitative Research

Also

called qualitative research

The use of quantity or statistics is practically
nil.
Descriptive data are gathered rather than
quantitative data.
the emphasis is more on generating
hypotheses from the data collection rather than
testing a hypothesis.

Research according to
STATISTICAL CONTENT

Non- quantitative Research

Here

the investigator views the phenomena to

be investigated as more personal and softer.
He or she will use methods such as personal
accounts, unstructured interviews and
participant observation to gain an
understanding of the underlying reasons and
motivations for peoples attitudes, preferences
or behaviors.

Research according to TIME

ELEMENT

Historical Research
Describes

what was
It is a procedure supplementary to
observation in which the researcher seeks to
test the authenticity of the reports or
observation made by others.

Research according to TIME

ELEMENT

Descriptive Research
Describes

what is
describes data and characteristics about
the population or phenomenon being studied.
Descriptive research answers the
questions who, what, where, when and how.
deals with everything that can be counted and
studied

Research according to TIME

ELEMENT

Experimental Research
Describes

what will be

t is a collection of research designs which use

manipulation and controlled testing to understand
causal processes. Generally, one or more
variables are manipulated to determine their effect
on a dependent variable.

Research according to TIME

ELEMENT

Historical, descriptive and experimental

are the three major research methods. All
other methods, kinds and types of
research whatever they are called fall
under these three major methods.

References:

Research handouts
http://brent.tvu.ac.uk/dissguide/hm1u1/hm1u1text
2.htm
http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=4_FTxELbS
bwC&printsec=frontcover&dq=evaluation+researc
h&source=bl&ots=g7c-REFmJ&sig=FJrQPCY5CLS6gI_b0EW14tsOqPI&hl=e
n&ei=VVWoTJr0O8TIcdyzwcYN&sa=X&oi=book_
result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAw
#v=onepage&q&f=false

References:

http://www.okstate.edu/ag/agedcm4h/academic/a
ged5980a/5980/history/HISTORY/sld006.htm
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/det
ailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_Searc
hValue_0=ED373753&ERICExtSearch_SearchTy
pe_0=no&accno=ED373753
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descriptive_research
http://www.experimentresources.com/experimental-research.html