Types of Research: Pure vs Applied and Objectives

Types of Research Based on Application

• Pure/ Basic/ Fundamental Research: concerned with generalizations and formulation of a theory
• Applied/ Decisional Research: aims to find a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an industrial/business organization

Types of Research Based on Objectives

• Descriptive Research: provides a description of the state of affairs as it exists at present, measures two variables, and understands the relationship between them
• Correlational Research: measures the relationship between two variables without influence from any extraneous variable
• Explanatory Research: explains why events occur, builds, elaborates, extends, or tests a theory
• Exploratory Research: finds a solution for a problem that has not been studied more clearly, intended to establish priorities, develop operational definitions, and improve the final research design

Types of Research Based on Inquiry Mode or Approach

• Quantitative Approach: involves the generation of data in quantitative form, which can be subjected to rigorous quantitative analysis in a formal and rigid fashion
• Qualitative Approach: concerned with subjective assessment of attitudes, opinions, and behavior, using techniques like focus group interviews, projective techniques, and depth interviews

Quantitative Approaches

• Inferential Approach: studies a sample of population to determine its characteristics, and infers that the population has the same characteristics
• Experimental Approach: characterised by much greater control over the research environment, manipulating variables to observe their effect on other variables
• Simulation Approach: involves the construction of an artificial environment to observe the dynamic behavior of a system under controlled conditions

Other Types of Research

• Conceptual Research: associated with theoretical ideas or presuppositions, used to develop new concepts or to better understand an existing concept in practice
• Empirical Research: relies on experience or observation alone, often without due regard for system and theory, data-based research, and coming up with conclusions that are capable of being verified by observation or experiment

Research Definitions

• Thesis: a proposition stated or put forward for consideration, a subject for a composition of essay, a dissertation on a particular subject in which one has done original research
• Stephenson's Definition of Research: the manipulation of things, concepts, or symbols for the purpose of generalizing to extend, correct, or verify knowledge
• Research: the search for knowledge through objective and systematic methods of finding solutions to a problem, a scientific way of answering questions and testing hypotheses
• Clifford Woody's Definition of Research: defining and redefining problems, formulating hypotheses, collecting, organizing, and evaluating data, making deductions, and reaching conclusions, and carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis

Learn about the different types of research based on application (pure/basic/fundamental and applied/decisional) as well as based on objectives (descriptive and correlational). Expand your knowledge about research methodologies and classifications.