Types of Research

TYPOLOGY OF RESEARCH

 Research can be classified in many different ways on the basis of the methodology of research.

The basic types of research are as follows:

• Basic Research

Basic research ( also called pure research, fundamental research ) is driven by a scientist's curiosity or interest in a scientific question. The

main motivation is to expand man's knowledge , not to create or invent something. There is no obvious commercial value to the discoveries that result from basic research.

For example, basic science investigations probe for answers to questions such as- 

• How did the universe begin? 

• What are protons, neutrons, and electrons composed of? 

• How do slime molds reproduce? 

• What is the specific genetic code of the fruit fly?

• Applied Research

Applied research, variously known as action research, operation research, social research, decison-linked research, is a type of research that covers a wide range of social science areas.Applied research is designed to solve practical problems of the modern world, rather than to acquire knowledge for knowledge's sake.The goal of the applied scientist is to improve the human condition .

For example, applied researchers may investigate ways to: For example, applied researchers may investigate ways to:

• improve agricultural crop production 

• treat or cure a specific disease 

• improve the energy efficiency of homes, offices, or modes of transportation.

• Evaluative research

 It is concerned with the evaluation of such occurrences as social and organizational programs or interventions. Very often health and family planning activities are implemented for years but never assessed. In such cases, evaluative research can be a valuable approach for examining retrospectively or cross-sectional effects of the program activities. So, Evaluative research attempts to -

•  Assess implemented activities and examine the short term effects of these activities
•  Determine the impact of a program.
•  Evaluate the success of the intervention.
Example, different health programs operated by the Ministry of health and family planning or by World 

health organization.

• Academic Vs Professional Research

• Academic Research- Academic research refers to those researches which are done in educational institutes to get knowledge and degrees. For example, masters or Ph.D. research. Example,  masters or Ph.D. research.

• Professional Research- Professional research refers to that type of research that is done by any consultant farm or person and they are paid for that research. For example, The feasibility study for Padma Bridge.

• Qualitative Vs Quantitative research

• Qualitative research- Understanding of human behavior and the reasons that govern such behavior. Asking a broad question and collecting word-type data that is analyzed searching for themes. This type of research looks to describe a population without attempting to quantifiably measure variables or look to attempting to quantifiably measure variables or look to potential relationships between variables.

• Quantitative research- Systematic empirical investigation of quantitative properties and phenomena and their relationships. Asking a narrow question and collecting numerical data to analyze utilizing statistical methods. The quantitative research designs are experimental, correlation, and survey.

 Some research are:

• Scientific Research

• Social Research

• Exploratory research

• Constructive research

• Primary research 

• Secondary research

• Explanatory Research

• Experimental Research 

• Constructive research

• Empirical research

• Experimental Research

• Evaluation Research

• Descriptive Research

• Policy Research

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Written by সাদমান

I am sadik, simply sad :).Studied in Chittagong University,Bangladesh;Department of Geography and Environmental studies.