Types of Research

1. Fundamental Research
2. Applied Research
3. Action Research
4. Quantitative Research (a. Descriptive Research B. Correlational Research C.
Experimental Research D. Quasi Experimental/Causal Comparative/Ex-post
Facto Research)
5. Qualitative Research (a. Historical Research B. Ethnography Research C.
Phenomenology Research D. Narrative Research)
6. Exploratory Research
7. Explanatory Research (Causal Research)
8. Survey Research
9. Case study Research
Fundamental Research
It is also Called as Basic Research or Pure Research.
It is a types of Scientific Research which is conducted for expanding the frontiers of knowledge
rather than solving a particular problem.
Involves investigation of natural phenomenon.
Generates new ideas, principles and theories.
Focuses on making generalization.
Involves formulation of a theory.
It is not concerned with solving any practical problems of immediate interest.
Doesn’t have any immediate commercial objective.
Attempts to explain WHY things happen.
It is not meant for immediate use of application.
The outcome of basic research for the basis for many applied researches.
For examples, a study on the synonyms of Corona virus.
Applied Research
A step after Fundamental research.
Well accepted theories and principles built in the basic research are verifies and applied on
real-life situations to find the solutions.
The outcomes of this research are meant for immediate applications
Doesn’t focus on making generalizations.
Focuses on solving practical problems related to a specific area.
Also called a decisional research.
 Action research
The term Action research was coined by Kurt Lewin.
Used to improve the quality of decisions and actions.
It lays stress on developing the present situations to make these better.
Focuses on ameliorating the present conditions.
For examples, testing the purity of water in an area and taking necessary steps thereof, to
improve the quality water.
Four stages in action research: Plan, Act, Observe and Reflect.
Quantitative Research
Carries out to study a phenomenon that can be expressed in numbers.
It is numerical in nature.
For example, study conducted to find out the average number of people using online cab
services in Delhi.
It is deductive in nature and starts with a given theory (developed in qualitative research).
Hypothesis is framed and tested upon after the data is collected and analyzed, finally
conclusions are drawn.
The results are often presented in the form of tables or graphs.
It is conclusive in nature.
It answers the “what, where and when’’ questions and not why questions.
Surveys are usually conducted in order to collect the data.
Close- ended questions are asked in order to gather the statistical data.
Descriptive Research: -
 Seeks to describe the current status of an identified variables like peoples, Events,
phenomena etc.
 It tells What questions i.e. what are the characteristics of the given phenomena.
 It is called statistical research because here, frequencies, averages & other Statistical
Calculations are studied. For examples: - What is the preferences of people to use toilets
in rural India. Here, the questions must be clearly defined before conducting the study.
 It does not establish the cause and effect relationship between the variables.
 Here, Variables are only observed and are not influenced by the researcher.
 Case studies, interviews and survey questionnaires are used.
Correlational Research: -
 Determine the extent of relationship between two or more variables using statistical
data.
  It only recognizes the trends and patterns in data but it doesn’t analyses the cause &
effect relationship between the variables.
 Here, Variables are not manipulated but are identified only in their natural setting.
 It is a type of descriptive research & not an its own type of research as no variables are
manipulated. For examples, relationship between stress level and employee
performance.
Experimental Research: -
 This research is based on the cause and effect relationship between the variables are
studied.
 There are two variables- dependent and independent.
 Independent variables are manipulated by the researcher in order to find the effect on
the dependent variables.
 Here, data is gathered is a controlled environment and not in a natural setting.
 For example, to find out the impact of changes in plant height before and after the
administrative of fertilizer.
Quasi- Experimental Research: -
 It is also called as Ex-Post Facto method and Causal- Comparative method.
 It examines the impact of changes in the dependent variables on the dependent variable
without the interference of the researcher.
 It is not a true experiment as the researcher makes no manipulations in the independent
variables.
 For examples: - A researcher is interested to know how influence self- esteem level in
adults.
 Majority of social research in which it is difficult to manipulate the characteristics of
human participants, is based on ex-post facto research.

Qualitative Research
 It is exploratory in nature
 It is used to gain understanding of underlying reasons, opinion and motivations.
 Provides insights into the problem by understanding, interpreting the behavioral
patterns.
 It is non- numerical and does not involve any kind of quantification of data
 This method is not about what people think but why they think so.
 It is a broad field of inquiry that uses unstructured data collection techniques to try
to cover the reasons for underlying behaviors, attitudes & motivation instead of just
the details of what where & when.
 Focus groups and interviews are conducted to gain insight into feelings,
perceptions, thoughts and behavior of the respondents. As like Motivation research.
 Open-ended questions are asked to gather as much info as possible.
 It is mostly used in case of psychology, sociology and Consumer behavior.
 It is inductive in nature and begins with a social reality followed by the
constructions of the theory around it.
 Information gathered from qualitative research helps in developing hypothesis for
quantitative research.
 Sample Size is small.
 The quality of the research produced is heavily dependent upon the skills of the
researcher.
 Qualitative research methods: - it is based on some important methods and the
criteria of selecting best methods to gather information from focused groups, In-
depth Interviews and Observations (participations & No participant).

Historical Research: -
 It involves studying, interpretation of past events & their influence on the present
events
 It answers the questions: What was the situation.
 Sources includes past records such as diaries, reports, minutes of meetings, birth,
certificates etc.
 For examples, Business can use historical data of previous sales policy & test it with
new policy to determine the most effective policy.
Ethnography Research: -
 It aims to understand the cultures, customs and traditions of the people by
observing them in a real environment.
 Most in-depth observational method that studied people on their natural setting.
 Researcher either observes them or gather data by becoming a participant
observer.
 Does not rely on interviews and surveys.
 Focus of concern is on interpreting reality in terms of participants’ perspective.
 It is time- consuming as it involves in- depth observation.
 Originated from anthropology where researcher immerse themselves in a
culture often for years.
 For examples, finding out the reactions of customers while using the product in
order to introduce modifications in it.

Phenomenological Research: -
 Focuses on participants’ lived experience relating to a specific activity or
phenomena.
 Gathers data regarding the feelings of the participants during that event or
activity.
 Primarily an experience or perception based research method.
 A combinations of methods are used like conducting interviews, reading
documents, watching videos, and visiting’s places in order to understand the
problem at had very well.
  For example: This method can be used by colleges and universities to know
how students make their choices while applying for any college or university or
to know how pains is experiences in child birth.
Narrative Research: -
 Researchers write narrative about the life experience of the individuals.
 They examine how stories are told to understand how participants perceive and
make sense of their experiences.
 Here, data is gathered from just one or two individuals through interviews,
family stories, autobiography, journals, documents etc. over a period of time,
often for several weeks or month or even years.
 It combines together the sequence of events in order to form a cohesive story.
Exploratory Research
 Focus in on the discovery of new ideas.
 Helps in gaining insight into a problem which has not been researched upon yet.
 For example, a study of the relationship between gadgets usage on the student
retention power.
 It is the initial research and the results help in forming a base for other
conclusive research.
 The problem at hand is explored along with the determination of the research
design, type of data to be collected and the methods to be used and the questions
to be asked form the respondents.
 It does not intend to find any conclusions.
 It is mostly conducted with the help of unstructured interview in order to have
better understanding of the problem.
Explanatory research
 It is also called as causal research.
 Attempts to explain the cause and effect relationship between the variables.
 Experimentation is the primary method of conducting an explanatory or causal
research.
 For example, finding out the causes behind the relationship between using
gadgets & the student retention power.

Little overview of exploratory, descriptive and Explanatory research

Exploratory Research: - A study of the relationship between gadgets usage on the student
retention power.
Descriptive Research: - Finding out the pattern of the relationship between using gadgets &
the student retention power.
Explanatory Research: - Finding out the causes behind the relationship between using
gadgets & the student retention power.
 Survey Research
 It is used to collect primary data by asking questions from the individuals.
 Conducted to gain insight into the characteristics of the sample.
 Surveys can be conducted through interviews, phone, mail or even online.
 The most frequently used instrument here is questionnaire which can be
structured or unstructured depending upon the type of data to be collected.
 For example, survey on consumer foods.
Case Study Research
 In this type of research, data is collected regarding a specific organization, entity
or a company to gain insight into the problem at hand.
 Involve in- depth and detailed examinations of a specific real world subject.
 Case study can be exploratory, explanatory and even descriptive as well.

The differences between research method and research methodology can be drawn clearly on
the following grounds:

1. The research method is defined as the procedure or technique applied by the researcher
to undertake research. On the other hand, research methodology is a system of methods,
used scientifically for solving the research problem.
2. The research method is nothing but the behaviour or tool, employed in selecting and
building research technique. Conversely, research methodology implies the science of
analysing, the manner in which research is conducted appropriately.
3. The research method is concerned with carrying out experiment, test, surveys,
interviews, etc. As against this, research methodology is concerned with learning
various techniques which can be employed in the performance of experiment, test or
survey.
4. Research method covers various investigation techniques. Unlike, research
methodology, which consists of complete approach aligned towards the attainment of
purpose.
5. Research method intends to discover the solution to the problem at hand. In contrast,
research methodology aspires to apply appropriate procedures, with a view to
ascertaining solutions.
 6. Comparison Chart

BASIS OF RESEARCH RESEARCH

COMPARISON METHOD METHODOLOGY

Meaning Research Method implies the Research methodology signifies way to

methods employed by the researcher efficiently solving research problems.
to conduct research.

What is it? Behaviour and instrument used in Science of understanding, how research is
the selection and construction of the performed methodically.
research technique.

Encompasses Carrying out experiment, test, Study different techniques which can be
surveys and so on. utilized in the performance of experiment,
test, surveys etc.

Comprise of Different investigation techniques. Entire strategy towards achievement of

objective.

Objective To discover solution to research To apply correct procedures so as to

problem. determine solutions.

Hypothesis Definition in Statistics

In Statistics, a hypothesis is defined as a formal statement, which gives the explanation about
the relationship between the two or more variables of the specified population. It helps the
researcher to translate the given problem to a clear explanation for the outcome of the study.
It clearly explains and predicts the expected outcome. It indicates the types of experimental
design and directs the study of the research process.
Types of Hypothesis
The hypothesis can be broadly classified into different types. They are:
Simple Hypothesis
A simple hypothesis is a hypothesis that there exists a relationship between two variables.
One is called a dependent variable, and the other is called an independent variable.
Complex Hypothesis
A complex hypothesis is used when there is a relationship between the existing variables. In
this hypothesis, the dependent and independent variables are more than two.
Null Hypothesis
In the null hypothesis, there is no significant difference between the populations specified in
the experiments, due to any experimental or sampling error. The null hypothesis is denoted
by H0.
Alternative Hypothesis
In an alternative hypothesis, the simple observations are easily influenced by some random
cause. It is denoted by the Ha or H1.
Empirical Hypothesis
An empirical hypothesis is formed by the experiments and based on the evidence.
Statistical Hypothesis
In a statistical hypothesis, the statement should be logical or illogical, and the hypothesis is
verified statistically.

Characteristics of Hypothesis
The important characteristics of the hypothesis are:

 The hypothesis should be short and precise

 It should be specific
 A hypothesis must be related to the existing body of knowledge
 It should be capable of verification

Null Hypothesis
The null hypothesis is a kind of hypothesis which explains the population parameter whose
purpose is to test the validity of the given experimental data. This hypothesis is either rejected
or not rejected based on the viability of the given population or sample. In other words, the
null hypothesis is a hypothesis in which the sample observations result from the chance. It is
said to be a statement in which the surveyors want to examine the data.
It is denoted by H0.
Alternate Hypothesis
The alternative hypothesis is a statement used in statistical inference experiment. It is
contradictory to the null hypothesis and denoted by Ha or H1. We can also say that it is simply
an alternative to the null. In hypothesis testing, an alternative theory is a statement which a
researcher is testing. This statement is true from the researcher’s point of view and ultimately
proves to reject the null to replace it with an alternative assumption. In this hypothesis, the
difference between two or more variables is predicted by the researchers, such that the pattern
of data observed in the test is not due to chance.