Research report purposes and classifications

1. I. PURPOSES OF RESEARCH
II. CLASSIFICATIONS OF
RESEARCH
III. THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD OF
RESEARCH

2. PURPOSES OF RESEARCH
1) Exploratory Research
2) Descriptive Research
3) Explanatory Research

3. PURPOSES OF RESEARCH
PURPOSE AIMS SOURCES SAMPLES
EXPLORATORY
-To explore a new topic/issue in order to learn
about it
-To satisfy the researcher’s curiosity and desire
for better understanding,
-To test the feasibility of undertaking a more
extensive study
-Addresses the "what" question: "what is this
phenomena really about?"
-Experience surveys
-Secondary data analysis
-Case studies
-Pilot studies
-Focus groups or small
group discussions
Study on what stem cell
therapy is all about
DESCRIPTIVE
-To describe situations and events
-To present a picture of the specific details (or
gather info) of a situation, social setting, or
relationship
-Focus on `who,' `what,' `when,' `where,' and
`how' but not why?
-data-gathering techniques
-surveys
-field research
-content analysis
Labor Force Surveys,
Population Census,
(including race/ethnicity,
age, sex, household size,
income, etc.) and
Educational
surveys
EXPLANATORY
-To know "why," to explain things, looks for
causes and reasons
-Builds on exploratory and descriptive research
and goes on to identify the reasons for
something that occurs.
-To extend a theory or principle to new areas,
new issues, new topics
-To provide evidence to support or refute an
explanation or prediction.
-To test a theory's predictions or principle
All of the above
For example, reporting the
autism rates of different
cities is descriptive.
Identifying the variables
that explain why some
cities have higher autism
rates than others involves
explanation. Likewise,
reporting the frequency of
school attendance is
descriptive, but reporting
why some people attend
school while others don’t is
explanatory.

4. CLASSIFICATIONS OF RESEARCH
• Based on Purpose
• Based on Method
• Based on Approach

5. CLASSIFICATIONS OF RESEARCH
• Based on Purpose
1) Basic Research/ Pure or Fundamental Research
To develop new ways of thinking, theories, principles and ideas
2) Applied Research
To apply basic research or past theories, knowledge and methods
for solving an existing problems
3) Evaluation Research
To facilitate decision making regarding the relative worth of 2 or
more actions
4) Research & Development
To develop effective products demanded by the existing clients
5) Action Research
To solve problems through application of scientific method

6. CLASSIFICATIONS OF RESEARCH
• Based on Method
1) Historical Research
Involves studying, understanding & explaining past events
2) Descriptive Research
Collecting data in order to test or answer questions concerning
current subject of the study (Survey, Development Studies, Follow
up)
3) Co relational Research
Determines whether and to what degree, a relationship exists
between 2 or more quantifiable variables
4) Causal-Comparative & Experimental Research
Establishes cause & effect relationships; “cause” already occured

7. CLASSIFICATIONS OF RESEARCH
• Based on Approach
1) Qualitative Research
Exploration, description, generation & construction of theories
using qualitative data
2) Quantitative Research
Testing theories & hypothesis using quantitative data to see if they
are confirmed or not

8. THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
OF RESEARCH

9. THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
OF RESEARCH
Scientific Method:
Procedure for the creation of
knowledge whereby the consequent
knowledge may be referred to as
scientific knowledge

10. •Natural or Physical Sciences
•Human Sciences or Soft Sciences
•Use of sensory experiences
•Repeat the observation, may be several
times to be accurate, positive and definite
about findings
•Organized, systematized, and
made part of the existing body of
knowledge

11. Important Characteristics of Scientific Method:
1. Empirical
2. Verifiable
3. Cumulative
4. Deterministic
5. Ethical and Ideological Neutrality
6. Statistical Generalization
7. Rationalism