Types of research: Basic, Applied

and Action research

What is research?
Research refers to a process where in systematic
activities are done to find out the solution of
problem.

Systematic activities:
• Identification of a research problem
• Statement of hypothesis/Research questions
• Data Collection
• Data analysis
• Result
Types of Research
Criteria Types
On the basis of
Basic Research Applied Research Action Research
Objectives
On the Basis of Qualitative
Quantitative research
Nature of Data Research
On the basis of
Explanatory
Nature of Exploratory Research Descriptive Research
Research
Findings
On the basis
Experimental
Experimental Non-Experimental Research
Research
manipulations
On the basis of
Longitudinal
approach Cross Sectional Research
Research
involved
Basic Research
• Also called pure research or fundamental research
• It involves the process of collecting and analyzing data/information to develop or
enhance theory.
• Basic research is conducted solely for the purpose of theory development and
refinement.
• Basic research generates new ideas, principles and theories, which may not be
immediately utilized or planned application.
• Usually carried on in a laboratory or some other sterile environment, sometimes
with animals.
• Advancement of knowledge.

Examples:
• Piaget Theory of Cognitive Development
• Experiment of Pavlov (Classical Conditioning theory)
• Gardner’s multiple intelligences
Applied Research
• This research concerned with the development and testing of theories of how
students and teachers behave in educational settings.
• Collection and analysis of data to examine the usefulness of theory in solving
practical educational problems.
• Most educational research is applied research.
• It attempts to develop generalizations about teaching-learning process,
instructional materials, the behavior of children and ways to modify it, and so on.

Examples
• Developing a seventh grade social studies curriculum around a problem-solving
approach to learning
• Examining the effectiveness of a computer-based algebra program developed
around a mastery learning approach
• Accommodating varied learning styles when teaching lessons in modern
literature
Comparisons:
Basic Research Applied Research
Basic research provides the theory that Applied research provides the data to help
produces the concepts for solving support, guide, and revise the development
educational problems theory

Justified in terms of gaining knowledge for Designed to solve practical problems of the
its sake – they focus on making things modern world
better and creating a more humane society

Done for the intellectual pleasure of Done to test theories in the field to achieve
learning better validity.

Mainly concerned with generalizations and Aims at finding a solution for an immediate
with the formulation of a theory problem facing a society

Directed towards finding information that The central aim is to discover a solution for
has broad base of applications some pressing practical problem
Action Research
“Action research is focused on the immediate application and not on the development of
theory. It has placed its emphasis on a real problem in a local setting. Its finding are
to be evaluated in terms of local applicability, not in terms of universal validity”
-John Best & Kahn
• It is a process for studying practical problems of social studies.
• It is a scientific procedure for finding out a practical solution of current problem.
• The practitioner can only study his problem.
• It is a personal research for small scale research work.
• The focus is to improve and modify the current practices.
• The individual and group problems studied by action research.
• It does not contribute to the fund of knowledge.
Steps for Action Research
• Identification of a problem area
• Collection and organization of data
• Interpretation of data
• Action based on data
• Evaluate Results
• Follow up action