The different characteristics of research:
Research May be Applied or Basic
The purpose of applied research is to solve an immediate, practical problem.
Basic Research (Pure) adds to the existing body of knowledge; doesn't necessarily provide results of immediate, practical use.
Research May be Obtrusive or Non-Obtrusive
Obtrusive research - where the researcher introduces conditions that influence participants. Where the researcher manipulates the environment.
Non-obtrusive research - where researcher avoids influencing subjects in any way and tries to be as inconspicuous as possible.
Four Main Types of Research
Historical research - describes what was-mostly non-obtrusive
Descriptive research - describes what is-mostly non-obtrusive
Correlation research - makes comparisons, looking for trends or tendencies
Experimental research - describes what will be - mostly obtrusive
Historical Research
-A systematic process of searching for information and fact to describe analyze or interpret the past
Value-can provide prospective for decision making about current problems -issues are often better understood if we understand the historical perspective
Sources-must have good backed sources to protect from criticism -most common sources are past records
Descriptive Research
Describes, interprets, and clarifies what in the present -often done with surveys
-may be done by observation or an observational instrument
Developmental Research is one common type of descriptive research which involves the study of changes in behavior over a period of time.
Correlation Research
The purpose is to find relationships between two or more variable so to:
- Better understand the conditions and events that we encounter (what goes with what)
- To predict future conditions and events.
- Correlations do not show cause and effect
Experimental Research
An experiment is a research