Kwame Nkrumah University of
Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
SCI 352:
Research Design and
Communication
Kwame Nkrumah University of
Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
SESSION II:
BASIC TYPES AND
APPROACHES TO RESEARCH
Intended Learning Outcome
By the end of this session, students will be able to:
Know the various types of research and understand their
applications
Distinguish between the various types of research
Understand various approaches used in research worldwide
Apply the types and approach of research to their research
problem
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Types of Research
Can be categorised based on;
• Application/Immediate Purpose
Basic vs. Applied Research
• Objectives
Exploratory, Descriptive, Analytical vs. Predictive
• Methodology
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research
These overlap because Research is both dynamic
and flexible
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Food for Thought
“People cannot foresee the future well enough to
predict what’s going to develop from basic
research. If we only did applied research, we
would still be making better spears.”
-Dr. George Smoot
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Basic/Pure Research
• Driven by a scientist's curiosity or interest in a scientific
question
• Conducted to investigate issues relevant in formulating or
reformulating theories
• May not be concerned with their practical application (no
obvious commercial value)
• Motivation is to expand man's knowledge, not to create or
invent something
Example:
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Applied/Action Research
• Designed to solve practical problems of the modern
world
• Not focused on just acquiring knowledge
• Primary goal of the applied scientist is to generate
information that can improve the human condition
• Often based on Basic/Pure research
Example
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Research process ranges from
basic to applied
Basic
Applied
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Types of Research Based on Objectives
Exploratory Descriptive
Analytical Predictive
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Exploratory Research
• This is undertaken when few or no previous studies exist
• The aim is to look for patterns, hypotheses or ideas that
can be tested and will form the basis for further research
• Typical research techniques would include
case studies, observation and reviews of previous
related studies and data
Example
Reviewing literature to find gaps in an area of research
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Descriptive Research
• Determines and describe the way things are
• This can be used to identify and classify the elements or
characteristics of the subject
Examples
Determine the level of traffic light violation among drivers
Describe the rate of helmet usage among motorcyclist
• Quantitative techniques are most often used to collect,
analyze and summarize data
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Analytical Research
• Extends the Descriptive approach
• Suggests or explains why or how something is
happening
Examples
Determine the effect of vehicle type on drivers traffic light
violation
Determine the effect of educational level on motorcyclist’s
helmet usage
• An important feature is in
locating and
identifying the different factors (variables) involved
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Predictive Research
• The aim is to speculate intelligently on future possibilities
• Based on close analysis of available evidence of cause
and effect
Example
Model how reduction in prices of helmet affect motorcyclist’s
helmet usage
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Approaches of Research
Quantitative Mixed Qualitative
Research Research Research
Method Method Method
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Quantitative Research Method
• Its based on measurements of quantity or amount.
• It is applicable to phenomenon that can be expressed in
terms of quantity.
• Often uses postpositive claims for developing knowledge
(cause and effect thinking, test hypotheses or theories and make
predictions)
• Objectivity is expected
• Collects data on predetermined instruments that yield
statistics data
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Types of Quantitative Method
• Descriptive
• Correlational
• Experimental
• Quasi-experimental
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Qualitative Research
• It is concern with qualitative phenomenon
• Seeks to understand and interpret social and personal
interactions (individuals, cultural or social organizations)
• Study of the whole and not variables
• Subjectivity is expected
• Collects open-ended responses, interviews, observations,
field notes and reflections
• Identifies patterns, themes and features
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Types of Qualitative Method
Case Study Sheds light on a phenomena by studying in-depth a single
(also Quantitative) case (individual, event, group or institution) example of the
phenomena
Grounded Completely open minded without any preconceived ideas
Theory on the outcome of an event or situation (inductive)
Phenomenology Describes the structures of experience through
consciousness, without recourse to theory, deduction or
assumptions from other disciplines
Ethnography Identifying a culture-sharing group and studying how it
developed shared patterns of behaviour over time
Historical Systematic collection and objective evaluation of data
related to past occurrences for testing hypotheses
concerning causes, effects or trends of events that may
explain present events and predict future events
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Other Types of Research
• One-time research or Longitudinal research (time
period)
• Field-setting or Laboratory or Simulation research
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