Research

What is Research?
Objectives of Research.
Characteristic of Research.
Types of Research,.
Difference Between Descriptive Research and Analytical Research.
Descriptive Research vs Analytical Research.
Difference Between Applied Research and Fundamental Research. 
Applied Research vs Fundamental Research.
Difference Between Qualitative Research and Quantitative Research. 
Qualitative Research vs Quantitative Research.
Difference Between Conceptual Research and Empirical Research.
Conceptual Research vs Empirical Research.

Research

Research is a scientific and systematic search for various information about a specific topic. It is just like a search for truth and knowledge. The English Dictionary meaning of Research is “a careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge.” information about a subject can be collected by deliberate effort and it is presented in a new form after analyzing thoroughly in research work.

Research is an academic activity. It is a movement from the known to the unknown, which may be called a discovery. Different definitions of research are given by the experts.

According to Redman and Mory, “Research is a systematized effort to gain new knowledge.”

D. Slesinger and M Stephenson define research as, “the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalizing to extend correct or verify knowledge whether that knowledge aids in construction of theory or in the practice of an art ”

According to P.M. Cook, “Research is an honest, exhaustive, intelligent searching for facts and their meanings or implications with reference to a given problem.”

.J.M. Francis Rumel defines, “Research is an endeavour to discover, develop and verify knowledge.”

Clifford Woody, defines “Research is a careful enquiry or examination in seeking facts or principles a diligent investigation to ascertain something.”

Objectives of Research

The main purpose of research is to discover answers to the meaningful questions through scientific procedures and systematic attempt. The hidden truths which are not discovered yet, can easily come to light by research.

The main objectives of Research are:

1. To gain familiarity or to achieve new insights into a phenomenon. This is known as Exploratory or Formulative Research studies.

2. To describe the accurate characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group. This is known as Descriptive Research studies.

3. To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with other things. This is known as Diagnostic Research studies.

4. To test a hypothesis of a casual relationship between variables. Such studies are known as Hypothesis-testing Research studies.

Characteristics of Research

1. Research is directed towards the solution of a problem.

2. Research gathers new knowledge or data from primary sources.

3. Research is based upon observable experience or experimental evidence.

4. Research is logical and objective, applying every possible test to verify the data collected and the procedures employed.

5. Research is expert, systematic and accurate investigation.

6. Research demands accurate observation and description.

7. Research requires patience and courage. The researcher should courageously face the unpleasant consequences of his finding if any.

8. Research is highly purposive. It deals with a significant problem which must be solved.

9. Research is carefully recorded and reported. Everything must be carefully defined and described in detail.

10. Research activity is characterized by carefully designed procedures which are to be analysed thoroughly.

Types of Research

The basic types of research are as follows:

(i) Descriptive Research

Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different kinds

Feature of Descriptive Research

- description of the state of affairs as it exists at present.

- use the term Ex post facto research  where  the researcher has no control over the variables; he can only report what has happened or what is happening.

- Simplest form of research.

- It involves a mutual effort.

- It consumes a lot of time.

- It is not directed by hypothesis.

 (ii) Analytical Research

In analytical research, the researcher has to use facts or information already available

 Feature of Analytical Research

- analyze to make a critical evaluation of the material.

- not to provide information or facts to the reader but to examine the facts and to compare and evaluate them to pass a judgment.

 Difference between Analytical Research and Descriptive Research

• While the two writing styles namely descriptive and analytical seem to be exclusive and totally different from one another, often the use of both in a single piece becomes necessary.

• What, when, where are questions best answered with descriptive style of writing. On the other hand, why, what, and what next are the questions answered better with analytical style of writing.

• The purpose of descriptive writing is to present facts and information, whereas the purpose of analytical writing is to compare, analyze and evaluate something.

• The language is richer in descriptive writing while the content is more structured and full of logic for a conclusion in analytical writing.

(iii) Applied Research 

Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an industrial/business organization.

 Feature of Applied Research

- Is problem oriented.

- Helps in finding results or solutions for real life problems.

- Provides evidence of usefulness to society.

- Utilizes and helps in developing the techniques that can be used for basic research.

- Provides data that can lead to the acceleration of the process of generalization.

(iv) Fundamental or Pure Research 

Fundamental research is mainly concerned with generalisations and with the formulation of a theory.

Feature of Fundamental Research

-  Gathering knowledge for knowledge’s sake is termed ‘pure’ or ‘basic’ research.

- Is basic and original.

- an lead to the discovery of a new theory.

- an result in the development or refinement of a theory that already exists.

- Helps in getting knowledge without thinking formally of implementing it in practice based on the honesty, love and integrity of the researcher for discovering the truth.

Difference between Applied Research and Fundamental Research

Goal

Fundamental research is conducted without any specific goal.

Applied research is conducted with a specific goal in mind.

Aim

The main aim of fundamental research is to advance knowledge.

The main aim is of applied research to solve a specific and practical problem.

Nature

Fundamental research is exploratory in nature.

Applied research is descriptive in nature.

Theories and Principals

Fundamental research identifies new ideas, theories, principals and new ways of thinking

Applied research is based on the theories, principals discovered through pure research.

Findings

Findings of fundamental research usually have a future use, not a current use.

Findings of applied research always have a current use.

(v) Quantitative Research

Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or  amount.  It  is  applicable  to  phenomena  that  can  be  expressed  in  terms  of  quantity.

 Feature of Quantitative Research

- Enables gathering information from a relatively large number of participant

- Can conduct in a number of groups, allowing for comparison

- Allows generalizing to broader population

- Provides numerical or rating information

- Informative for instantiating policy or guidelines

- Lends to statistical techniques that allow determining relations between variables (think of better word)

(vi) Qualitative Research

Qualitative research, on the other hand, is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e.,

phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind.

Feature of Qualitative Research

 - Allows identification of new and untouched phenomena

- Can provide a deeper understanding of mechanisms

- Gives a one-on-one and anecdotal information

- Provides verbal information that may sometimes be converted to numerical form

- May reveal information that would not be identified through pre-determined survey questions

Differences Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research 

Methods

Qualitative :Methods include focus groups, in-depth interviews, and reviews of documents for types of themes

Quantitative: Surveys, structured interviews & observations, and reviews of records or documents for numeric information

Process

Qualitative: Primarily inductive process used to formulate theory or hypotheses

Quantitative: Primarily deductive process used to test pre-specified concepts, constructs, and hypotheses that make up a theory

Subjective/ Objective

Qualitative: More subjective: describes a problem or condition from the point of view of those experiencing it

Quantitative: More objective: provides observed effects (interpreted by researchers) of a program on a problem or condition

Based  

Qualitative: Text-based

Quantitative: Number-based

Information

Qualitative: More in-depth information on a few cases

Quantitative: Less in-depth but more breadth of information across a large number of cases   

Response

Qualitative: Unstructured or semi-structured response options

Quantitative: Fixed response options

Statistical 

Qualitative: No statistical tests

Quantitative: Statistical tests are used for analysis

Valid and Reliable

Qualitative: Can be valid and reliable: largely depends on skill and rigor of the researcher

Quantitative: Can be valid and reliable: largely depends on the measurement device or instrument used

Time

Qualitative: Time expenditure lighter on the planning end and heavier during the analysis phase

Quantitative:     Time expenditure heavier on the planning phase and lighter on the analysis phase

Generalizable

Qualitative: Less generalizable

Quantitative: More generalizable

(vii) Conceptual 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.

(viii) Empirical Research

Empirical research relies on experience or observation alone, often without due regard for system and theory. It is data-based research,

Difference Between Conceptual Research and Empirical 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.

(ix) Some Other Types of Research

All other types of research are variations of one or more of  the  above  stated  approaches,  based  on  either  the  purpose  of  research,  or  the  time required to accomplish research, on the environment in which research is done, or on the basis of some other similar factor. Form the point of view of time, we can think of research either as one-time research or longitudinal research.