Research Classifications
According to Application
The second dimension of a formal research is the
application of the findings or results, which could
either be:
1. Basic
2. Applied
1. Basic (also called Pure or Theoretical)
-undertaken to increase one’s knowledge about a
certain phenomenon or behaviour but does not seek to
solve any existing problem.
-it only seeks new ways of thinking.
-it is the source of many new theories, principles, and
ideas. Indeed, BASIC Research adds to the body of
knowledge in a particular field or discipline.
-it involves developing and testing theories and
hypotheses that are intellectually interesting to the
investigator and might have some applications in the
future, but have no application to social problems in the
present time.
Oftentimes…
APPLIED Researches are done for
 Development
 Management
 Monitoring
 Evaluation of Government programs and
projects
Comparison of BASIC and APPLIED
2. Applied
- a scientific study that seeks to solve practical
problems, rather than acquire knowledge for
knowledge’s sake.
-in social sciences, the overarching goal of applied
research is to improve the human condition.
(for example, applied researches may investigate ways to
improve agricultural crop production, treat or cure a
specific disease or improve the energy efficiency of
homes, offices, or modes of transportation)
-in the business community, applied research may focus
on uncovering what needs are unmet. Such
information may be used in designing products or
services that would create demand in the market. This
results in providing better products and services to the
existing customers or generating new customers.
(for example, the mobile phone used to be an expensive
and bulky gadget with short range of coverage. As a
result, the weight was reduced and the communication
sphere had been expanded.)
-in the field of Accountancy, applied research has been
useful in developing policies on the structure of
education, the qualifications of individuals admitted
for licensing and the accreditation processes for the
members to engage in professional practice. It has also
been instrumental in addressing regulatory issues,
disclosure requirements and economics of market
regulation. Moreover, large public accountancy firms
have research units that perform applied researches on
specific problem areas concerning the practice of
profession.
-Public management and governance, as areas of study,
have also relied on applied researches for reviewing
existing laws, rules, regulations and policies. Due to
pervasive use of applied research in policy formulation
and analysis, specifically in the govt or public sector, it
has also been called POLICY Research.
Category Basic Research Applied Research
Purpose Producing knowledge for Producing knowledge for
UNDERSTANDING ACTION
Discipline Usually confined to Often
ONE Discipline MULTIDISCIPLINARY
Audience Intended for a Intended for a
SCHOLARLY Audience or PUBLIC Audience of policy
Specialists makers, as well as
SCHOLARLY Audience
Coverage Often NARROW in Focus as Often COMPREHENSIVE as it
it strives for precision strives for suitable solution to a real
life problem

Research Classifications
According to Application

The third dimension of a formal research is the type of

information gathered and analysed, which could either
be:

1. Quantitative
2. Qualitative

1. Quantitative Research
-refers to systematic empirical investigation of the
quantitative properties of certain subject matter or
phenomenon and the relationships of these properties. It
is primarily concerned with the measurement of
attitudes, behaviors and perceptions.
2. Qualitative Research
-explores attitudes, behaviour, and experiences,
through methods as interviews or focus groups.

-usually, its objective is to develop and employ -it attempts to get an in-depth opinion from
mathematical models to certain phenomena in order to participants. Fewer people take part in the research, but
test hypotheses and generate theories, contact with them tends to be longer.

-The process of measurement is central to quantitative
research because it provides the fundamental connection
between empirical observation and mathematical
expression of quantitative relationships.
-it is widely used in social sciences such as economics,
psychology, anthropology and political science, etc
-this type of research studies the subjects in their
natural settings.
-The researcher conducts a systematic inquiry into
meanings, attempting to interpret and make sense of
phenomena and the meanings that people attribute to
them.

-its mode of generating data is through large-scale
survey, using questionnaires or structured interviews.
These result in collection of numbers, which can be
subjected to statistical analysis to come up with results.
-in general, the researcher has a very clear idea on what
is to be measure before the measurement takes place.
To ensure systematic data collection, a blueprint is
always prepared.
-The qualitative methods produce information only on
the particular cases studied, and any general conclusions
can be considered only as hypotheses.
-The quantitative methods can be used to verify which
of these hypotheses are true.
While qualitative and quantitative
researches are often used in tandem, the
benefits and disadvantages of each are hotly
debated.

Comparison of Quantitative and Qualitative Research

Category Quantitative Research Qualitative Research

Aim To classify the attributes of the subject of
To develop a complete or detailed
study, count them, and construct statistical
description of the attributes of the
models in an attempt to explain what is
subject of the study.
observed.
Design All aspects of the study are carefully
The design emerges as the study unfolds.
designed before the data are collected.
Data-gathering Instrument Researcher uses tools, such as
questionnaires or instrument to collect
numerical data.
Types of Data Data are in the form of
numbers and statistics.
Degree of Partiality
Relatively objective as it seeks precise
measurement and analysis of target
concepts.
Use of Data Quantitative data is more efficient, able to
test hypotheses, but may miss contextual
detail.
Researcher’s participation Researcher tends to
remain objectively separated
from the subject matter.
Researcher is the data gathering
instrument.
Data are in the form of
words, pictures or objects.
Relatively subjective since the
individual’s interpretation of events is
important, especially when using
participant observation, in-depth
interviews, and the like
Qualitative data is richer in meaning, but
time consuming, and less able to be
generalized.
Researcher tends to
become subjectively immersed
in the subject matter.