summarize the content for 10 marks -  Types of Research
Various types of research are classified as follows:
Types of Research
T
± T T
On the
Basis of
Application
On the Basis of
Extent of Theory
On the
Basis of
Objectives
On the Basis of
Methodology
E
f i Theoretical Qualitative
Pure Applied
f i Empirical Quantitative
Exploratory Descriptive Causal
1) On the Basis of Application: Based on application, research can be classified in
following two types:
i) Basic/Pure/Fundamental Research: Pure research is also known as “basic
research” or “fundamental research”. It is the most basic form of research. The
objective of this research is to provide models and theories regarding some
phenomenon. This type of research seeks to obtain knowledge about a particular
subject rather than its practical usage, testing of hypotheses and theories. Basic
research is carried-out to discover and gain better insight about a specific
phenomenon, without considering the problem and its direct practical
application. Basic research can take one of the following forms:
a) Discovery: When the objective of a basic research is to discover, then it
tries to 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”.
b) Invention: Designing new methods and techniques can be the prime
purpose of basic research. For example, inventing the concept of total
quality management.
c) Reflection: Here, the researchers analyse the theories, models, or
techniques in some different organisational or social contexts. For
example, applying the concept of Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory on Indian
Army.
ii) Applied/Practical/Need-Based/Action-Based Research: Applied research is
also called as “practical research”, “need-based research” or “action-based
research”. While basic research emphasises on enhancing the existing
knowledge without any practical application, applied research on the other hand,
applies the existing knowledge, theories, and methods to solve particular issue.
Basically, it is the practical application of the concepts provided by basic
research. It tries to solve the existing problems faced by businesses, society, and
government. Applied research tries to provide the solutions to eradicate the
various types of practical problems related to real life and social life.
For example, when a sociologist tries to find out the reason for crime, or the
factors that lead a person to become criminal, is the area of pure research. But,
when the sociologist tries to find out how the behaviour of a criminal can be
controlled, it falls in the purview of applied research.
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2) On the Basis of Objectives: Following Researches can be conducted on the basis of
objectives:
i) Exploratory/Formulative Research: Exploratory research is also known as
“formulative research”. The basic objective of this research is to explore the
unknown facts or phenomena that are not previously defined. In exploratory
research, researchers seek to gain better knowledge about a situation, and
formulate new concepts and theories by developing and testing hypotheses.
ii) Descriptive/Statistical Research: Descriptive research can be defined as the
research that 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.
iii) Experimental/Causal/Explanatory Research: Experimental research, also
called “causal research” or “explanatory research”, 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 which is
exposed to treatment is called the ‘
experimental group’
, and the group which is
kept constant is called ‘
control group’
.
3) On the Basis of Extent of Theory: On the basis of extent of theory research can be
classified in two types:
i) Theoretical Research: Theoretical research seeks to add new knowledge by
discovering new ideas and theories with the help of existing theories and
explanations. But, the major emphasise is on studying rather than testing the theories
and models. In other words, it is based on secondary data instead of primary data.
ii) Empirical Research: Empirical research is data-oriented. This kind of research
provides insights through observation or experiences. In this research, the
primary data are collected, analysed and tested to prove some hypotheses.
Empirical research can be conducted through both the qualitative and
quantitative approaches. For example. Major researches conducted on health
issues usually adopt empirical research.
4) On the Basis of Methodology: Based on methodology adopted, research can be of
two types:
i) Qualitative Research: Qualitative research is conducted to study and analyse
the human behaviour. It is considered as a preliminary stage of quantitative
research. Qualitative research is carried out when there is a need to develop new
ideas and theories that can be tested and analysed afterwards using quantitative
measures. It tries to evaluate and findings in a broad level. The prime objective
of qualitative research is to get an in-depth knowledge about a particular
behaviour by collecting fresh and new information by using various techniques.
ii) Quantitative Research: Quantitative research is contrary to qualitative
research. It is a scientific technique that attempts to analyse the data using
statistical measures for concluding the outcomes of a research problem. Various
researches on science, social science, education, etc., are conducted with the
help of quantitative research. In quantitative research is carried out in a
structured way to develop and test various hypotheses using mathematical and
statistical techniques. For example, a research can be conducted to compare the
effect on crime rate due to gun buyback program.
5) Other Types: Alongwith the above major research types, there are some other types
of research:
i) Evaluation Research: Evaluation is defined in many ways as per the objective
of the research study, the techniques applied, or the application of outcomes.
Introduction to Research (Chapter 10) 211
Usually, it can be defined as the systematic measurement and judgement about a
situation to provide the feedback. The evaluation is always based on some
criteria. The most common criteria used for evaluating an object are benefits,
efficiency,sustainability, applications, etc.
ii) Action/Participatory Research: Action research is also called as “participatory
research”, where active problem-solving is done by the individuals of a team in
an organisation to improve the method of solving issues. In this process, the
employees of an organisation contribute collectively to bring the change through
the research process.
iii) Historical Research: Historical research is an organised attempt to collect the
data regarding historical events, analysing them, and interpreting the events. It is
carried-out to identify the causes, effects, and trends regarding past occurrences
to improve the present and future. Many modem 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 quantitative
measures can be adopted.
iv) Ex-Post-Factor: Ex-post factor research is a systematic effort to trace-back the
causes resulting in specific effect. In this research, the actions that has caused the
effects are identified, which are then imposed on some other similar set of
circumstances. It is conducted after the completion of a phenomenon or occurrence.
10.1.7. Significance of Research
Following points describe the significance of research:
1) Recognises the Potential Opportunities and Threats: For any strategy to be
successful, the organisation needs to have a very good understanding of the
environment in which it operates. Research is a tool with which management is able
to scan its environment and identify various opportunities and problems existing in
the environment. By scanning and researching extensively, management can
understand the environmental situations efficiently.
This helps to formulate strategies in accordance with the situations to overcome the
prevailing problems and exploit the opportunities to the fullest.
2) Assessment of Problems and Opportunities: Researching the problems and
opportunities help the managers to estimate and analyse them. It allows the managers
to identify the existing problems and the factors responsible for the problems.
Research facilitates the managers in identifying, exploring, refining and quantifying
the opportunities existing in the environment. Alongwith these, it helps in setting the
priorities in case of multiple opportunities.
3) Selection of Best Alternative Action: Research assists the managers in selecting the
best among the alternative courses of action. The various alternatives are evaluated
using specific evaluation criteria set by the researcher. Researchers forecast the
necessary future activities to be taken with properly analysing the scenario which in
turn helps in planning. Research can also suggest the strategies that managers should
use in planning properly and preventing it from failing. For example, a company can
research the best possible strategy for positioning of a product.
4) Evaluating the Course of Action:Research can be used to see if the planned course
of action has been implemented in way it was intended to. It allows the managers to
estimate the extent to which a given activity or project is executed as per the
direction. It helps to identify the potential factors that can affect the execution.
Research is also carried-out to evaluate and control the strategies implemented for
executing the project.
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5) Analysing the Competition: The organisations need to study the market and the
level of prevailing competition in it. To fulfil this objective, organisations conduct
research to collect the information regarding the purchasing trends, competitor’s
strategy, market share of competitor firms, etc. This allows managers to formulate
strategies that can help them in achieving their targets. For example, Pepsi Co. can
conduct a research to know the strategies adopted by Coca Cola.