RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Types of Research
Prepared By:
Dr. Arun Kaushal
 TYPES OF RESEARCH
 Descriptive vs Analytical Research

Descriptive Research is a fact finding investigation which is

aimed at describing the characteristics of individual, situation or
a group (or) describing the state of affairs as it exists at present.

An example of where this research can be used is if a school

district wishes to evaluate teachers’ attitudes about using
technology in the classroom. By conducting surveys and
observing their comfortableness using technology through
observational methods, the researcher can gauge what they
can help understand if a full-fledged implementation can face
an issue. This also helps in understanding if the students are
impacted in any way with this change.
 Analytical Research
• Analytical Research is primarily concerned with testing
hypothesis and specifying and interpreting relationships,
by analyzing the facts or information already available.

• Example: Examining the fluctuations of U. S.

international trade balance during 1974-1995 is an
example of descriptive research; while explaining why
and how U.S. trade balance move in a particular way
over time is an example of analytical research.
 Applied vs Fundamental Research
Applied Research or Action Research is carried
out to find solution to a real life problem requiring an
action or policy decision.

Examples: 1.Applied research to improve an organization’s

hiring process.

2. Applied research to improve workplace efficiency and

organizational policies.
 Fundamental Research
Fundamental Research which is also known as basic or pure
research is undertaken for the sake of knowledge
without any intention to apply it in practice. It is
undertaken out of intellectual curiosity and is not
necessarily problem-oriented.

Example : A study of factors impacting each stage of

product life cycle
 Quantitative vs Qualitative Research

Quantitative Research is employed for

measuring the quantity or amount of a particular
phenomena by the use of statistical analysis.

Qualitative Research is a non-

quantitative type of analysis which is aimed at finding
out the quality of a particular phenomenon.
 Conceptual vs Empirical Research

Conceptual Research is generally used

by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts
or to reinterpret existing ones.

Empirical Research is a data based

research which depends on experience or observation
alone. It is aimed at coming up with conclusions
without due regard for system and theory.
Some other types of research..
 One-time Research – Research confined to a single
time period.
 Longitudinal Research – Research carried on over
several time periods.
 Diagnostic Research – It is also called clinical research
which aims at identifying the causes of a problem,
frequency with which it occurs and the possible
solutions for it.
 Exploratory Research – It is the preliminary study of
an unfamiliar problem, about which the researcher has
little or no knowledge. It is aimed to gain familiarity
with the problem, to generate new ideas or to make a
precise formulation of the problem. Hence it is also
known as formulative research.
 Experimental Research – It is designed to assess the
effect of one particular variable on a phenomenon by
keeping the other variables constant or controlled.

 Historical Research – It is the study of past records

and other information sources, with a view to find the
origin and development of a phenomenon and to
discover the trends in the past, inorder to understand
the present and to anticipate the future.
 RESEARCH PROCESS
FF
Review the literature
FF

Review
Concepts Analyse
Design
And Collect Data
Research Interpret
Define theories Formulate Data (Test
(Including and
Research hypothesis (Execution) Hypothesis
Sample report
Problem if any)
Review Design)
F F
Previous
I Research III IV V
findings VI VII

II
F

F Feed Back
FF Feed Forward
Business Research Methods:
An Introduction

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 Learning
Objectives
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
Define business research
Understand the roadmap to learn business research methods
Learn how business research methods can be used as a decision
making tool by the managers
Understand the business research process

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 Business Research
• Business researchers systematically collect, compile, analyze, and
interpret data to provide quality information based on which a decision
maker will be able to take a decision in an optimum manner.

• Conducting research to deal with any problem is a scientific, systematic,

and interlinked exercise, which requires sound experience and
knowledge.
Roadmap to Learn Business
Research Methods

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Business Research Methods: A Decision
Making Tool in the Hands of Management

Decision making is always a crucial part of any organizational

functioning.
In the field of business research, this valuable information is
obtained using the following interrelated steps:

1. Problem or opportunity identification

2. Diagnosing the problem or opportunity
3. Executing business research to explore the solutions
4. Implement presented solutions
5. Evaluate the effectiveness of decision making

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 1. Problem or Opportunity Identification

 Any delay in problem identification and solution

implementation; and the opportunity identification and
encashment may become harmful to the organization.

 Problem-identification research helps marketing teams

identify what types of problems they might have.

 A well-designed and well-executed marketing study can go a

long way towards identifying consumer tastes and
demographic preferences to help with a product launch

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 2. Diagnosing the Problem or Opportunity

 Organizations present these problems or opportunity scenarios

to business researchers.

 Business researchers actually diagnose the

problem or opportunity.

 Diagnosing involves exploring the situation to have a better

insight about the situation.

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 3. Executing Business Research to Explore the
Solution

 After the identification and diagnosis of the problem, business

researchers systematically conduct research to present a
solution.

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 4. Implement Presented Solution

 Business researchers conduct research in consultation with the

decision makers of the concerned organization. The findings are
presented to the decision maker and he or she analyzes these
findings in the light of his or her decision range.

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 5. Evaluate the Effectiveness of
Decision Making

 After taking a decision, its effectiveness is examined. This is

sometimes referred to as evaluation research.

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 Use of Software in Data Preparation and
Analysis

 Nowadays, it is irrational to deal with data preparation and

analysis without the use of existing statistical software.

They are MS Excel (2007), Minitab®, and SPSS (17).

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