Descriptive

Research

Descriptive Research
Widely used research design;
Its
common
means
of
obtaining
information include the use of the
questionnaire, personal interviews with the
aid of study guide or interview schedule,
and observation, either participatory or
not.
Includes studies that purport to present
facts concerning the nature and status of
anything.
Fact-finding with adequate interpretation

Nature
Designed for the investigator to gather
information about present existing conditions
Involves collection of data in order to test the
hypothesis
or
to
answer
questions
concerning the current status of the subject
of the study.
Determines and reports the way things are. It
has no control over what is, and it can only
measure what already exist.

Aims
To describe the nature of a situation as it exists at
the time of the study and to explore the causes of a
particular phenomena.
To tell what exists or what is about a certain
educational phenomenon.
To reveal problems or abnormal conditions
To contribute in the establishment of standard
norms of conduct, behaviour, or performance.
To give better and deeper understanding of
phenomenon on the basis of an in-depth study of
the phenomenon.
To provide basis for decision-making.

Descriptive Research makes some

type of comparison-contrasts and
correlation, and sometimes, in
carefully planned and orchestrated
descriptive researches, causeeffect relationships may be
established to some extent.

6 Methods
Identify the problem
Review literature
Select participants and instruments
Collect valid and reliable data
Analyze data
Report conclusions

Common Errors
Lack of participant response low
response rates are common; difficulties
interpreting the findings without the data
representing non-respondents views
Unclear/ambiguous items researcher
needs to develop recording forms that
collect the data objectively and reliably.

Classification (How data

is gathered)
Self-report individuals respond to
statements or questions about themselves;
Observation data is collected by the
researcher watching the participants

Types
Descriptive- Normative Survey- The term normative is
sometimes used because surveys are frequently made to
ascertain the normal or typical condition, or practice, or to
compare local test result with a state or national norm.
Descriptive- Educational-Survey Research Studiesthis type of study looks into the teaching-learning process,
the child-teacher, the learner and the environment, the
attitudes, habits and other characteristics of the learner,
the techniques and the methods, the building equipment
and materials used. etc which all pertain to education.
The goal is of this study is to have a total improvement of
the educational system for the maximum development of
the individual learner.

Types
Descriptive- Psychological Research StudiesThis study pertains to the behaviour of individuals
in different situations.
Descriptive- Social Survey- The purpose of this
study is to change for the better existing practices
of groups living a community. It is concerned with
the formulation of constructive programs of social
reform and amelioration. A current social problem
is existing in a particular place, and the aim is to
diagnose the root causes of the ills, utilizing the
research approach.

Importance
For scientific basis of judgement. This means
that descriptive research provides information
which could be used as basis for important
decisions that are to be made.
For a closer look into happenings, behaviour,
practice, methods and procedures.Descriptive
researchprovides
essential
facts
and
understanding about the nature of anything.
For the formation of construction of test
analysis of these standardization of tools
instruments used in research.

Methodology
Used as middle heading title of descriptive design.
Includes:
Research Design
Determination of Sample Size (if sample survey)
Sampling design and techniques (if sample survey)
The subjects (or respondents)
The research instrument
Data gathering procedure
Data processing method; and
Statistical treatment

2 Kinds of Sampling
Designs
Scientific Sampling - More preferred
because in this method, everyone is given
an equal chance of being included as a
sample.
Non-Scientific Sampling

6 Types of Scientific
Sampling Techniques
Restricted Random Sampling
Unrestricted Random Sampling
Stratified Random Sampling
Systematic Sampling
Multi-stage Sampling
Cluster Sampling