Types of Research

Adrian Ferro
Assistant Professor
Department of Geography & Research Center
Parvatibai Chowgule College (Autonomous)
 Agenda
• Introduction
• Descriptive vs Analytical
• Fundamental vs Applied research
• Quantitative vs Qualitative
• Conceptual vs Empirical
• Conclusion
• References
 Types of research
1. Descriptive vs Analytical
2. Fundamental vs Applied research
3. Quantitative vs Qualitative
4. Conceptual vs Empirical
 1. Descriptive vs Analytical
• Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding
enquiries of different kinds.
• Descriptive research :Mostly involves Primary data
• Also know as Ex Post Facto Research (manipulations
cannot be done)
• In analytical research the researcher has to use facts
or information already available, and analyze these to
make a critical evaluation of the material.
• Analytical research : Mostly involves secondary data
http://couri.utep.edu/images/webgraphics/basicvsapplied.png
 2. Fundamental vs Applied research

• Pure research (also known as “basic” or

“fundamental” research) is exploratory in
nature and is conducted without any practical
end-use in mind.
 Fundamental vs Applied research
• Applied research is not carried out for its own sake but
in order to solve specific, practical questions or
problems.
• It tends to be descriptive, rather than exploratory
• Applied research is designed to solve practical
problems of the modern world, rather than to acquire
knowledge for knowledge's sake.
• This research is generally conducted on a large scale
basis and is expensive. (National Government, World
Bank, UNICEF)
• For example:- improve agriculture crop production,
treat or cure a specific disease
 3. Quantitative vs Qualitative
• Quantitative research is based on the
measurement of quantity or amount.
• It is applicable to phenomena that can be
expressed in terms of quantity.
 Quantitative vs Qualitative
• Qualitative research is concerned with
qualitative phenomenon, i.e., phenomena
relating to or involving quality or kind.
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esearch-4-638.jpg?cb=1414935222
 4. Conceptual vs Empirical
• Conceptual research is that related to some
abstract idea(s) or theory.
• It is generally used by philosophers and
thinkers to develop new concepts or to
reinterpret existing ones
 Conceptual vs Empirical
• Empirical research relies on experience or
observation
• It is data-based research, coming up with
conclusions which are capable of being
verified by observation or experiment.
• We can also call it as experimental type of
research.
 Conclusion
• Types of research

• Important to know which type of research to use

 References
• http://www.erm.ecs.soton.ac.uk/theme4/typ
es_of_research.html
Thank You