Types of Research
Research is about using established methods to investigate a problem or question in detail with the aim of generating new knowledge about it.
It is a vital tool for scientific advancement because it allows researchers to prove or refute hypotheses based on clearly defined parameters, environments and assumptions. Due to this, it enables us to confidently contribute to knowledge as it allows research to be verified and replicated.
Knowing the types of research and what each of them focuses on will allow you to better plan your project, utilises the most appropriate methodologies and techniques and better communicate your findings to other researchers and supervisors.
Classification of Types of Research
There are various types of research that are classified according to their objective, depth of study, analysed data, time required to study the phenomenon and other factors. It’s important to note that a research project will not be limited to one type of research, but will likely use several.
According to its Purpose
Theoretical Research
Theoretical research, also referred to as pure or basic research, focuses on generating knowledge, regardless of its practical application. Here, data collection is used to generate new general concepts for a better understanding of a particular field or to answer a theoretical research question.
Results of this kind are usually oriented towards the formulation of theories and are usually based on documentary analysis, the development of mathematical formulas and the reflection of high-level researchers.
For example, a philosophical dissertation, since the aim is to generate new approaches from existing data without considering how its findings can be applied or implemented in practice.
Applied Research
Here, the goal is to find strategies that can be used to address a specific research problem. Applied research draws on theory to generate practical scientific knowledge, and its use is very common in STEM fields such as engineering, computer science and medicine.
This type of research is subdivided into two types:
- Technological applied research: looks towards improving efficiency in a particular productive sector through the improvement of processes or machinery related to said productive processes.
- Scientific applied research: has predictive purposes. Through this type of research design, we can measure certain variables to predict behaviours useful to the goods and services sector, such as consumption patterns and viability of commercial projects.
For example, market research, because by examining consumption patterns, strategies can be developed for the development of new products and marketing campaigns, etc.
Note: Applied research is usually based on knowledge or results obtained through theoretical research.
In fact, it is common for research projects to first establish the theoretical framework both to define the field of study and to identify possible theories that could be tested or applied to solve the specific problem posed in the project.
According to your Depth of Scope
Exploratory Research
Exploratory research is used for the preliminary investigation of a subject that is not yet well understood or sufficiently researched. It serves to establish a frame of reference and a hypothesis from which an in-depth study can be developed that will enable conclusive results to be generated.
Because exploratory research is based on the study of little-studied phenomena, it relies less on theory and more on the collection of data to identify patterns that explain these phenomena.
For example, an investigation of the role social media in the perception of self-image.
Descriptive Research
The primary objective of descriptive research is to define the characteristics of a particular phenomenon without necessarily investigating the causes that produce it.
In this type of research, the researcher must take particular care not to intervene in the observed object or phenomenon, as its behaviour may change if an external factor is involved.
For example, investigating how the public census of influential government officials differs between urban and non-urban areas.
Explanatory Research
Explanatory research is the most common type of research method and is responsible for establishing cause-and-effect relationships that allow generalisations to be extended to similar realities. It is closely related to descriptive research, although it provides additional information about the observed object and its interactions with the environment.
For example, investigating the brittle behaviour of a specific material when under compressive load.
Correlational Research
The purpose of this type of scientific research is to identify the relationship between two or more variables. A correlational study aims to determine whether a variable changes, how much the other elements of the observed system change.
According to the Type of Data Used
Qualitative Research
Qualitative methods are often used in the social sciences to collect, compare and interpret information, has a linguistic-semiotic basis and is used in techniques such as discourse analysis, interviews, surveys, records and participant observations.
In order to use statistical methods to validate their results, the observations collected must be evaluated numerically. Qualitative research, however, tends to be subjective, since not all data can be fully controlled. Therefore, this type of research design is better suited to extracting meaning from an event or phenomenon (the ‘why’) than its cause (the ‘how’).
For example, examining the effects of sleep deprivation on mood.
Quantitative Research
Quantitative research study delves into a phenomena through quantitative data collection and using mathematical, statistical and computer-aided tools to measure them. This allows generalised conclusions to be projected over time.
For example, conducting a computer simulation on vehicle strike impacts to collect quantitative data.
According to the Degree of Manipulation of Variables
Experimental Research
It is about designing or replicating a phenomenon whose variables are manipulated under strictly controlled conditions in order to identify or discover its effect on another independent variable or object. The phenomenon to be studied is measured through study and control groups, and according to the guidelines of the scientific method.
For example, randomised controlled trial studies for measuring the effectiveness of new pharmaceutical drugs on human subjects.
Non-Experimental Research
Also known as an observational study, it focuses on the analysis of a phenomenon in its natural context. As such, the researcher does not intervene directly, but limits their involvement to measuring the variables required for the study. Due to its observational nature, it is often used in descriptive research.
For example, a study on the effects of the use of certain chemical substances in a particular population group can be considered a non-experimental study.
Quasi-Experimental Research
It controls only some variables of the phenomenon under investigation and is therefore not entirely experimental. In this case, the study and the focus group cannot be randomly selected, but are chosen from existing groups or populations. This is to ensure the collected data is relevant and that the knowledge, perspectives and opinions of the population can be incorporated into the study.
For example, assessing the effectiveness of an intervention measure in reducing the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
According to the Type of Inference
Deductive Investigation
In this type of research, reality is explained by general laws that point to certain conclusions; conclusions are expected to be part of the premise of the research problem and considered correct if the premise is valid and the inductive method is applied correctly.
Inductive Research
In this type of research, knowledge is generated from an observation to achieve a generalisation. It is based on the collection of specific data to develop new theories.
Hypothetical-Deductive Investigation
It is based on observing reality to make a hypothesis, then use deduction to obtain a conclusion and finally verify or reject it through experience.
According to the Time in Which it is Carried Out
Longitudinal Study (also referred to as Diachronic Research)
It is the monitoring of the same event, individual or group over a defined period of time. It aims to track changes in a number of variables and see how they evolve over time. It is often used in medical, psychological and social areas.
For example, a cohort study that analyses changes in a particular indigenous population over a period of 15 years.
Cross-Sectional Study (also referred to as Synchronous Research)
Cross-sectional research design is used to observe phenomena, an individual or a group of research subjects at a given time.
According to The Sources of Information
Primary Research
This fundamental research type is defined by the fact that the data is collected directly from the source, that is, it consists of primary, first-hand information.
Secondary research
Unlike primary research, secondary research is developed with information from secondary sources, which are generally based on scientific literature and other documents compiled by another researcher.
According to How the Data is Obtained
Documentary (cabinet)
Documentary research, or secondary sources, is based on a systematic review of existing sources of information on a particular subject. This type of scientific research is commonly used when undertaking literature reviews or producing a case study.
Field
Field research study involves the direct collection of information at the location where the observed phenomenon occurs.
From Laboratory
Laboratory research is carried out in a controlled environment in order to isolate a dependent variable and establish its relationship with other variables through scientific methods.
Mixed-Method: Documentary, Field and/or Laboratory
Mixed research methodologies combine results from both secondary (documentary) sources and primary sources through field or laboratory research.
