Types of Research
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Basic or Pure Research
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Today, we're going to discuss different types of research. Let's start with basic or pure research. Can anyone tell me what they think this type of research is?
Is it about doing research just for the sake of knowledge, not for any application?
Exactly! Basic research is aimed at gaining fundamental knowledge without any immediate application in mind. For example, studying social behavior without plans to apply that knowledge. This helps to expand our understanding of various subjects. A memory aid to remember this is 'Knowledge for knowledge's sake.'
So, it doesn't aim to solve a specific problem?
Correct! It is primarily theoretical and focuses on understanding. Any further thoughts?
Applied Research
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Now, let's talk about applied research. What do you think makes it different from basic research?
Isn't it focused on solving real-world problems?
Exactly! Applied research is all about practical solutions. For instance, conducting surveys to assess how government policies impact society is a prime example. Remember the acronym 'PRACTICAL' - it stands for 'Problem Resolved in Actual Context Through Intervention and Learning.'
What makes it more valuable than basic research?
Both types are valuable! Basic research builds knowledge, while applied research uses that knowledge to solve specific issues.
Exploratory Research
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Moving on to exploratory research. Why do you think researchers might conduct exploratory research?
Maybe when they don’t know much about a subject?
Exactly! Exploratory research is used when little is known about a phenomenon. An example would be interviewing communities to uncover the causes of poverty. A simple rhyme to remember this type is: 'To explore what's unknown, new seeds have to be sown.' Any questions on this type?
How is it different from descriptive research?
Good question! While exploratory research seeks to understand unknown aspects, descriptive research provides detailed descriptions of phenomena.
Descriptive and Explanatory Research
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Let's dive into descriptive and explanatory research. How would you define descriptive research?
It describes characteristics without changing them?
Correct! An example is surveying the attitudes of students toward education. Now, what about explanatory research?
Does it explain relationships between variables?
Precisely! It examines cause and effect, such as the relationship between education level and income. Remember, 'Description shows, but explanation knows!'
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
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The section provides a comprehensive overview of the different types of research methodologies. It categorizes research into basic or pure, applied, exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory research, highlighting their objectives and offering pertinent examples for better understanding.
Detailed
Types of Research
Overview
This section explores the various types of research methodologies utilized in academic and practical inquiry. Each type serves a unique purpose and is characterized by its method of inquiry and objectives.
Types of Research
- Basic or Pure Research: Aimed at gaining fundamental knowledge without immediate practical applications, e.g., studying social behaviors without agendas for application.
- Applied Research: Focused on solving specific issues, often motivated by real-world problems, e.g., surveys assessing government policy impacts on society.
- Exploratory Research: Conducted when little is known about a topic, facilitating initial understanding, e.g., interviews aimed at discovering poverty causes in a community.
- Descriptive Research: Seeks to describe characteristics of phenomena or populations, e.g., surveys determining student attitudes toward education, without attempting to alter or influence those characteristics.
- Explanatory Research: Investigates relationships and causal effects among variables, e.g., studying the link between education level and income. This type is particularly useful for formulating theories.
Understanding these methodologies is crucial for selecting appropriate research approaches tailored to specific questions and contexts.
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Basic or Pure Research
Chapter 1 of 5
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Chapter Content
● Basic or Pure Research
○ Research aimed at gaining fundamental knowledge and understanding of a subject without any immediate application in mind.
○ Example: Studying the social behavior of a group without seeking to apply the findings.
Detailed Explanation
Basic or pure research is focused on understanding a concept or a phenomenon purely for knowledge's sake. It doesn’t aim at solving immediate problems but seeks to shed light on various aspects of a subject. For example, researchers might conduct studies on social behaviors of various groups simply to understand their dynamics better, rather than trying to apply what they learn to real-world scenarios.
Examples & Analogies
Think of basic research like an artist sketching the landscape. They aim to understand and capture the beauty of the scenery without a purpose of selling the artwork or using it in a commercial project.
Applied Research
Chapter 2 of 5
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Chapter Content
● Applied Research
○ Research aimed at solving specific problems or addressing practical issues.
○ Example: Conducting a survey to understand the impact of a government policy on society.
Detailed Explanation
Applied research is practical and problem-solving in nature. It is conducted with the intention of addressing specific real-world issues or questions. For example, if a government enacts a new policy regarding healthcare, an applied researcher might conduct surveys to assess how that policy affects the community's access to healthcare services.
Examples & Analogies
Consider applied research like a chef experimenting with a new recipe that needs to taste great and be suitable for diners. The chef is working towards a very specific goal, just like applied researchers are focused on practical solutions.
Exploratory Research
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Chapter Content
● Exploratory Research
○ Preliminary research conducted to explore a problem or a phenomenon when little is known about it.
○ Example: Conducting interviews to explore the causes of poverty in a specific community.
Detailed Explanation
Exploratory research is designed to provide insights and understanding into an issue that has not been extensively studied. It helps in forming the foundation for more detailed research. For instance, researchers might conduct interviews or focus groups to uncover different factors that contribute to poverty in a community where existing data is scarce.
Examples & Analogies
Think of exploratory research like a detective gathering initial clues at a crime scene. The detective does not have all the answers yet but is looking to gather information to better understand what has happened.
Descriptive Research
Chapter 4 of 5
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Chapter Content
● Descriptive Research
○ Research aimed at describing characteristics of a phenomenon or population without influencing or changing it.
○ Example: Surveying students to describe their attitudes toward education.
Detailed Explanation
Descriptive research focuses on providing the details about a particular population or phenomenon. It aims to document what exists without altering anything. For instance, surveying students to gauge their educational attitudes would help understand how they feel about learning without trying to change those feelings.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a photographer capturing images of a city. They aim to show what the city looks like as it is without adding or removing anything. Similarly, descriptive research showcases reality without intervention.
Explanatory Research
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Chapter Content
● Explanatory Research
○ Research that aims to explain the causes and effects of a particular phenomenon.
○ Example: Investigating the relationship between education level and income.
Detailed Explanation
Explanatory research digs deeper than just observing or describing. It attempts to explain why certain outcomes occur by establishing cause-and-effect relationships. For example, a study looking at how education level impacts income aims to draw connections between these two variables.
Examples & Analogies
Think of explanatory research like a scientist in a lab experimenting with different chemicals to determine which combination causes a reaction. The goal is to uncover the underlying relationships just like researchers seek to understand the links between education and income.
Key Concepts
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Basic or Pure Research: Aims for fundamental understanding without immediate application.
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Applied Research: Focuses on solving specific real-world problems.
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Exploratory Research: Conducts initial explorations of unknown areas.
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Descriptive Research: Characterizes phenomena without manipulation.
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Explanatory Research: Explains relationships and causations.
Examples & Applications
Studying the social behavior of a group without an application (basic research).
Conducting a survey to understand the impact of a government policy on society (applied research).
Conducting interviews to explore the causes of poverty in a specific community (exploratory research).
Surveying students to describe their attitudes toward education (descriptive research).
Investigating the relationship between education level and income (explanatory research).
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
To learn takes time, pursue pure research, it'll expand your mind!
Stories
Imagine a curious scientist in a lab, tirelessly seeking new knowledge. Every experiment brings her closer to understanding the world—this is basic research.
Memory Tools
Remember 'E.D.E.B.A.' for Exploratory, Descriptive, Explanatory, Basic, and Applied research types.
Acronyms
PRACTICAL helps remember applied research
Problem Resolved in Actual Context Through Intervention and Learning.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Basic or Pure Research
Research aimed at gaining fundamental knowledge and understanding of a subject without immediate application.
- Applied Research
Research aimed at solving specific problems or addressing practical issues.
- Exploratory Research
Preliminary research conducted to explore a problem or phenomenon when little is known about it.
- Descriptive Research
Research aimed at describing characteristics of a phenomenon or population without influencing it.
- Explanatory Research
Research that aims to explain the causes and effects of a particular phenomenon.
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