Exploratory research

• inspiration: grounded theory, interpretive research

• methodology: interactive, open-ended

  • Method- HOW we get data

  • Methodology- how data will be used in analyzing (lens)

• parameters: conducted for a problem not yet defined, primary or secondary research

• objective: provide significant insight into a given situation, and understand the depth

• expectation: starts with general idea, produces qualitative data, smaller samples

• method: in-depth interview, focus group discussion, case study or pilot study, projective

• challenge: generalizability, usefulness of results to decision making, time-consuming, no conclusive results

• Example: Feminization of poverty

Explanatory— causal

• inspiration: causal research (why it happens)

• methodology cause and effect model, investigation of a phenomenon

  • Method- HOW we get data

  • Methodology- how data will be used in analyzing (lens)

• parameters: why and how questions, causal not yet correlation (temporal, variation, non-spurious)

• objective: explain the occurrence of something, predict the occurrence, investigate patterns and trends

• expectation: jumping-off for future research, flexibility, and replicability

• method: literature review, interview, focus group, pilot study, observation, experiment

  • gaps:

• challenge: no conclusive results, does not solidify theory, not externally valid

• Example: gaps in existing literature of the Feminization of poverty

Applied research

• inspiration: informa policy decisions —> improve lives

• methodology: collaboration with industry-government, non-profit organizations

  • Method- HOW we get data

  • Methodology- how data will be used in analyzing (lens)

• parameters: product development, medical research, environmental research agriculture, education, transportation, communication

• objective: develop direct practical solutions to real-world problems; generate new knowledge

• expectation: use of existing knowledge, theories and techniques to develop new products, processes, technologies

• method: survey, experiment, observation, secondary data analysis, interview, focus group discussion, case study, document analysis

• challenge: limited generalizability, time and resource constraints, researcher bias, ethical considerations, limited theoretical

• Example: gaps in existing literature of the Feminization of poverty

• Experimental research

  • inspiration: social psychology, genetics, physics

  • methodology: quantitative

  • parameters: product development, medical research, environmental research agriculture, education, transportation, communication

  • objective: understand causal processes/relationships

  • expectation:

  • method: survey, experiment, observation, secondary data analysis, interview, focus group discussion, case study, document analysis

  • challenge: limited generalizability, time and resource constraints, researcher bias, ethical considerations, limited theoretical

  • Example: gaps in existing literature of the Feminization of poverty

Descriptive research

• inspiration: observational research case study method, survey research

• methodology: quantitative (statistical analysis)

• parameters: WHAT questions

• objective: describe the nature/characteristics of a phenomenon or population, validate existing conditions, results as basis for further research

• expectation: cross-sectional (; defined characteristics of respondents, measure data trends, comparisons)

• method: survey, case study, observation

• challenge: data collection, limited scope, dependence of existing data, lack of control, generalizability, and depth, bias, time consuming

• Example: gaps in existing literature of the Feminization of poverty

Correlational

• inspiration: maret research, psychology, education, business, medicine, social science

• methodology: quantitative (statistical analysis)

• parameters: positive, negative, zero, cannot establish causation

• objective: evaluation of relationship of variables.

• expectation: non-experimental, backward-looking, dynamic, easy-to interpret, cost effective, applicable to day-to-day decision making

• method: survey, natural observation, archival data, meta analysis case study, observation

• challenge: no scope to imply causation, likelihood, extraneous variable, usefulness during “isolated effects on one variable to another

• Example: gaps in existing literature of the Feminization of poverty

Ethnographic

• inspiration: anthropology

• methodology: description of cultures and people, portrait of a people, case study

• parameters: geographical, religious, social/familial, shared experience

• objective: elucidate the situation, uncover practices, develop cultural awareness and sensitivity

• expectation: extensive fieldwork: “emic” approach

• method: interview participant or non-participant observation

• challenge: language barrier; ethnocentrism, personal discomfort

Grounded theory research

• inspiration: glaser and strauss on interaction between healthcare

• methodology:

• parameters:

• objective:

• method:

• challenge:

Historical

• inspiration: descriptive research, analytical research, comparative research, interpretative research

• methodology: quantitative, qualitative

• parameters: past events

• objective: investigate

• expectation:

• method:

• challenge:

Basic research

• inspiration: foundational research

• methodology: can be complemented with applied research

• parameters: fundamental, pure

• objective: expand knowledge about a phenomenon, not create or invent something

• expectation:

• method:

• challenge:

Phenomenological research

• inspiration: psychology, nusring

• methodology: make sense of experience, highly qualitative

• parameters: combined with constant comparison method and elements of content analysis

• objective: produce insider perspective; construct higher order themes

• expectation: process of interpretations; researcher and researched are “present”

• method:

• challenge: