Research Methods: Inductive vs. Deductive Reasoning

• Research encompasses a systematic investigation that collects, analyzes, and interprets data related to social or natural phenomena, aiming to contribute to generalizable knowledge.
• Research adheres to the scientific method, a standardized set of techniques for building scientific knowledge.

Inductive vs. Deductive Reasoning

• Inductive reasoning infers theoretical concepts and patterns from observed data and is also known as Theory Building research.
• Deductive reasoning tests concepts and patterns from existing theory using new empirical data, also known as Theory Testing research.

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research

• Qualitative research, often referred to as inductive research, aims to understand or make sense of the world based on individual experiences and perceptions.
• Quantitative research, often referred to as deductive research, aims to understand the world by generalizability using controlled, value-neutral processes.
• Although qualitative and quantitative research can be conducted separately, they often complement each other in higher education.

Basic vs. Applied Research

• Research can be differentiated based on purpose, either basic or applied.
• Basic research, also known as theoretical research, tests existing or generates new theories to advance knowledge or understanding, and is often identified when discovering new phenomena or ideas of general interest.
• Applied research utilizes acquired knowledge to contribute directly to the understanding or resolution of practical issues and is often identified when contributing to the solution of specific practical problems.

Empirical vs. Nonempirical Knowledge

• Empirical knowledge is gathered through experience and direct data collection.
• Nonempirical knowledge stems from introspection, vicarious experiences, and people's analysis of events.

Scientific vs. Nonscientific Knowledge

• Scientific knowledge is a generalized body of laws and theories, acquired through the scientific method, that explains a phenomenon.
• Scientific knowledge can be imperfect or untrue, as it is based on the various theories currently accepted.

Exploratory vs. Explanatory Research

• Exploratory research is often conducted in new areas of inquiry to scope out the magnitude of a phenomenon, problem, or behavior, generate new ideas, and test the feasibility of an extensive study; it seeks to investigate and under-researched aspects of life.
• Explanatory research explains an observed phenomenon by answering 'why' and 'how' questions, identifying causal factors, outcomes, and explaining aspects of social life.

Descriptive Research

• Descriptive research describes an aspect of life richly, answering 'who', 'what', 'when', and 'where' questions, and its observations are based on the scientific method, making it more reliable than descriptions provided by untrained individuals.

Research Design vs. Methodology

• Research design is a strategic plan for answering research questions, detailing how to collect, analyze, and interpret data and acting as a blueprint for the research process.
• Research methodology is the rationale for the research design, justifying the choice of data collection, analysis method, and procedures and is broader in terms of concepts.

Research Methodology vs. Methods

• Research methodology justifies the type of data collection and analysis the researcher conducts, based on existing knowledge of the phenomenon and the knowledge one wants to explore.
• Methods are the specific set of tools that a researcher uses throughout the study, with details based on the methodology.
• The scientific method is a cycle that begins with observations, which lead to questions, followed by hypotheses, tested via experiment, resulting in either acceptance, rejection, or revision of the hypothesis.