Some of the characteristics of research are objectivity, replication, and precision. It is important to regard research results as provisional because they typically apply to one specific study under certain conditions. Basic research is the practical application within a given field that finds answers to specific questions. It tests the theoretical relationship of one variable to another. For example, which medication is effective in controlling cocaine cravings.
Evaluation research is the measurement of the effectiveness of a specific practice or program.
It determines the extent to which the desired goal of a program is reached. For example, which of two residential treatment programs was more effective in reducing relapse to cocaine use. These are the types of research that will be discussed in the following modules in this course. For example, the measurement of treatment program A's effectiveness is based on the number of relapses per 100 clients treated. In contrast, qualitative research expresses important variables in narrative form.