1.

Descriptive Research
also referred to as statistical research
aims to answer the questions who, what, where, when and
why
used when researchers want to describe the characteristics of
a population or a phenomena

2. Analytical Research
commonly referred to as explanatory research
builds upon descriptive research by seeking to uncover
causation

Categories of Research
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Categories of Research
3. Predictive Research
aims to make a prediction about an occurence of something
happening in the future
often based on past behaviors, attitudes, demographics, and
other generalized phenomena

4. Normative Research
also known as applied research
not only aims to uncover the facts, but also seeks to provide
recommendations for future improvements

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Types of Research
1. Qualitative Research
use subjective or humanistic research technique

2. Quantitative Research
the researcher gathers data and evaluates them to
locate trends or correlations
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Quantitative Research
The Survey Method
the purpose is to gather information about human
populations by asking questions to the representative sample
of the group being studied (through interview or
questionnaires)
the representative sample should reflect the characteristics of
the population to be studied at large
Types of Surveys and Questionnaires
Opinion Surveys -ask respondents what they think about
particular topics
Interpretative Surveys - ask respondents why they chose a
particular course
Factual Surveys - answers are based on facts alone

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Quantitative Research
Survey Administration
mail surveys
electronic devices
interviews
structures interviews
semi-structured interviews
unstructured interviews
telephone surveys

Research Process
1.Problem Identification
Identify the problem or area in which there is a
need for further research
Topic selection

2.Demand or Situational Analysis
Gathering all pertinent information
Critical to the researcher as it ensures that the
research will yield a new idea
Have a good grasp on all relevant background
information on the topic before developing the
hypothesis
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Research Process
3.Informal Investigation
Furthers the knowledge on the research to be conducted
May include going to the library, conducting internet searches, and
talking informally with people of interest to the research design
Informally starts developing the hypothesis
Hypothesis - a prediction about future
behaviors that is derived from
observations and theories
Theory is an explanation of a phenomenon
based on careful and precise
observation
* A theory has been tested and proved through scientific methods
while a hypothesis has not been tested yet.
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Research Process
4. Research Design
Identification of relevant variables of interest, the data that need to be
obtained and the procedures that will be carried out to obtain these
data.
Two Types of Data
1. Primary Data
2. Secondary Data

The hypothesis is put into more concrete, formal terms.

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Research Process
5.Data Collection
This step depends on the research design

6.Data Analysis and Interpretation
Once data has been collected, they must be coded, tabulated and
analyzed
Usually completed by entering the data into a computer program
(like the SPSS- Statistical Package for the Social Sciences)
First step is to establish counts or frequencies of response expressed in
percentages
Followed by a cross-tabulation of the variables, in which the responses
to one question are matched with responses to another.

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Research Process
7. Research Findings
The cross-tabulation can reveal statistical data
The data are then interpreted and written up in a report

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Research Process

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