Types or Classification of Research

Types or Classification of research 

1.1 Pure basic fundamental research

pure research is also known as basic research or fundamental research. The objectives of this research is 

I. To provide models and theories regarding some phenomenon.

II. To obtain knowledge about a particular subject rather than its practical usage testing of hypothesis and theories.

III. To discover and gain better insight about a specific phenomenon without considering the problem and its direct practical application.

For example: designing a research model for reading behavior among teenagers has no practical application but simply contributes to the area of knowledge.

Basic research can take one of the following forms

• Discovery :it tries to discover or find new explanations or ideas about a particular issue based on empirical evidences.

For example: the theory given by Charles Darwin on the survival of the fittest.

• Invention: Designing new methods and techniques can be the prime purpose of basic research .

For example inventing the concept of total quality management.

• Reflection: In reflection the researchers analyzed the theories models or techniques in some different organizational or social contexts .

For example applying the concept of Herzberg’s two factor theory on Indian army.

1.2 Applied /practical /need based /action based  research

Applied research is also called as practical research, need based research or action based research. 

Applied research applies the existing knowledge, theories and methods to solve particular issues or problems faced by businesses ,societies and government by providing solutions to eradicate the various types of practical problems related to real life and social life.

 Basically it is the practical application of the concepts provided by basic research.

Example: Study oriented towards finding reasons for crime or the factors that lead to a person become criminal is the area of pure research whereas  the study related   to find out how the behavior of a criminal can be controlled then it falls in the purview of applied research.

Pure research versus applied research

1.3 Exploratory/ formulative research

Exploratory research is also known as formulative research. The basic objectives of this research are:

 To explore the unknown facts or phenomena that are not previously defined.

 To gain better knowledge about the situation and formulate new concepts and theories by developing and testing hypothesis

 To help  researchers to find out the best are research methods research designs and data collection techniques for various research objectives.

For example : Exploratory research can be used to determine the reasons behind the higher tourism rate in a country than other nations.

1.4 Descriptive or statistical research

descriptive research tries to explain the characteristic features of the population under study. this research is based on the concept of reflective thinking that discusses about the objectives and assumptions regarding a research study.

Descriptive research is concerned with answering the questions like who what when where and how regarding a phenomena or situation and carried out on all those areas which are quantitative in nature.

The descriptions in this research are used to calculate the frequencies, averages, central tendencies,etc.

1.5 Explanatory research

It is a continuation of descriptive research and is also known as analytical research.The researcher not only describes the characteristics to analyze but also explains why or how something is happening. Thus, explanatory or analytical research aims

To understand phenomena by discovering and measuring casual relations among them.

To explain any behavior in the market.

For example how can the number of complaints made by customers be reduced

It is done through using questionnaires, group discussions, interviews, random sampling, etc.

Explanatory research is used as one of the primary methods and its scope is expanding to other fields other than science to get predictable results.

1.6 Experimental or casual research

Experimental research is also called as casual or explanatory research.

It is carried out to identify the causes behind any effect

It determines the effects on dependent variable due to the changes in independent variable.

In experimental research two similar groups are chosen for measuring the experimental effects the group of which is exposed to treatment is called the experimental group and the group of which is kept constant is called control group after the treatment is imposed on the experimental group the effect is measured by comparing it with control group the treatment effects are thus Identified.

The outcomes of the experimental research are not always straight and direct due to the variability factors.

Hence to measure the results accurately it is necessary to keep the control group constant while modifying experimental group

For example: Evaluating a new technique of online teaching method in comparison to the existing method of teaching technique.

1.7  Diagnostic study

Diagnostic research design refers to scientific differentiation among various conditions or phenomena for the purpose of accurately classifying these conditions. In broad sense , diagnosis corresponds to the fact finding aspect of clinical practice.

This is a similar to descriptive study but with a different focus of  discovering what is happening, why it is happening and what can be done about .It aims at identifying the causes of a problem and the possible solutions for it. It is always related to casual relations.

Example: A research study trying to diagnose slumping French wine sales might ask consumers their beliefs about the taste of French ,Australian and American wines. The results might indicate a deficiency in taste suggesting that consumers do not believe French wine’s taste as fruity as do the others.

 Descriptive research can, sometimes , provide an explanation by diagnosing differences among competitors but descriptive research does not provide direct evidence of causality.

1.8 Evaluation studies

It is a comparative analysis where the original objectives of study are assessed to determine their way of accomplishment so that it can be improved.It can also take the form of summative study where conclusions are made to infer the shortcomings of the study.

For example : Manufacturing firm can evaluate its performance after using just in time method in its production system.

It is always based on some criteria the most common criteria used for evaluating an object are benefits, efficiency, sustainability, applications etc.

1.9 Action research

Action research is also called as participatory research where active problem solving is done by the individuals of a team in an organization to improve the method of solving issues is an organized form of investigation which is collective and evaluative in nature. It tries to correlate the problem solving methods with a research or an analysis so that future changes in an organization can be predicted. In this process , the employees of an organization contributed collectively to bring the change through the research process. It is also practiced by big institutions to enhance the strategies and techniques adopted by them for their operations.

For example: a research can be conducted to know the best applicable method for certain type  of students 

1.10 Statistical method

Under statistical method researcher uses relevant statistical techniques for testing hypothesis. Parametric or non parametric test of significance are used as per their relevance and appropriate applicability. The advantage of statistical methodology is that precise and logically consistent conclusions can be drawn.

Statistical methods are widely used in life Sciences, in economics ,in agricultural Sciences and in physical Sciences in the study of measurement errors of random phenomena such as radio activity or meteorological events and in obtaining approximate results where deterministic solutions are hard to apply.

1.11 Historical research

Historical research is an organized attempt to collect the data regarding historical events analyzing them and interpreting events. It is carried out to identify the cars as effects and trends regarding fast occurrences to improve the present and future. Many modern practices and techniques can be developed and improved with the help of historical data.

Usually, the approach used for historical research is qualitative in nature, but , sometimes quantity to measure can be adapted. Historical research tries to identify the past forces that affect the present.

 An example of historical research can be finding out major earlier organizational practices that can be implemented in contemporary organizations.

1.12 Case study method

Case study is among most popular methods of exploratory research. in this method a thorough analysis of a unit is performed. Unit here is an individual, a family, a cultural or regional group , an institution etc.

Case study  method Emphasize S on index analysis of a limited issue of a unit rather than broad analysis of many issues. It tries to analyze the relevant incidents, processes or situations and their interdependence and helps researchers in investigating the situations that are similar to the research objective.

The prime objective of analyzing a case study is to gain knowledge about similar situations so that research can be conducted more objectively. 

For example if a car manufacturing company facing any decline in sales, can analyze the case of its competitor to understand the steps taken by them when their  car sales had decreased. For example if a car manufacturing company facing any decline in sales, can analyze the case of its competitor to understand the steps taken by them when their  car sales had decreased. Here,  a researcher analyses competitors sales decline situation and steps taken by them .

1.13 Field study

Field studies also known as participant observation. Participant observation, field research or sympathetic understanding (as per Max Weber) involves direct observation of persons in natural settings. The key task in field research is to observe normal behavior in everyday life by persons per forming the social roles which are part of their social environment.

It is widely used methodology in many disciplines particularly ,cultural anthropology, sociology, Communication studies and social psychology. it’s aim is to gain a close  and intimate familiarity with a given group of individuals and their practices through an intensive involvement with people in their cultural environment over an extended period of time.

They frequently used to test conceptual models with a number of independent variables. These variables may be combined in complex(non-linear) ways.

For example :Field studies are often used to investigate consumer, client ,employees ,student or investor motivational behavior in various ways. 

1.14 Other types of Research

There are some other Types of research and are as follows:

1. Social Research

2. Ex post factor

3. Theoretical research

4. Empirical research

1.Social Research

Social Research is a systematic method of exploring analyzing ,conceptualizing human life in order to extend correct or verify the knowledge of human behaviour find social life. It involves the application of scientific method for understanding and analyzing of social life in order to correct and verify the existing knowledge as a system.

2.Ex post factor research

Ex post factor research is a systematic effort to trace back the causes resulting in specific effect. It is conducted after the completion of phenomena or occurrence.

Ex post factor research is a scientific analysis of independent and dependent variables. Since ,the phenomenon has already occurred ,therefore ,the researcher has no direct control over the independent variables causing the effects .Thus, the conclusions regarding the variables and their relations are made without direct involvement. 

For example: forensic research department may attempt to find the causes for certain crime.

3.Theoretical research

Theoretical research seeks to add new knowledge by discovering new ideas and theories with the help of existing theories and explanations. The major emphasis is on studying rather than testing the theories and models .This research has no test component as it is based on secondary data.

 For example :an organization may conduct a research on its employees and their motivation levels based on Herzberg’s two factor theory.

4 empirical research

Empirical research is data oriented. It provides insights through observation or experiences. In this research primary data are collected analyst and tested to prove some hypothesis. it can be conducted through both the qualitative and quantitative approaches.

For example major researches Conducted on health issues usually about empirical research. Measurement of noise pollution in cities to find out the exposure to sound faced by the citizens is the best example of empirical research.