Ar2.docx

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

Usually confined to

Often

ONE Discipline

MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Intended for a

Intended for a

SCHOLARLY Audience or

PUBLIC Audience of policy

Specialists

makers, as well as

Discipline

Audience

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

-usually, its objective is to develop and employ mathematical models to certain phenomena in order to test hypotheses and generate theories,

-it attempts to get an in-depth opinion from participants. Fewer people take part in the research, but 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.

-this type of research studies the subjects in their natural settings.

-it is widely used in social sciences such as economics, psychology, anthropology and political science, etc -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.

-explores attitudes, behaviour, and experiences, through methods as interviews or focus groups.

-The researcher conducts a systematic inquiry into meanings, attempting to interpret and make sense of phenomena and the meanings that people attribute to them. -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

Aim

To classify the attributes of the subject of study, count them, and construct statistical models in an attempt to explain what is observed.

Design

All aspects of the study are carefully designed before the data are collected.

Qualitative Research To develop a complete or detailed description of the attributes of the subject of the study.

The design emerges as the study unfolds.

Data-gathering Instrument

Researcher uses tools, such as questionnaires or instrument to collect numerical data.

Types of Data

Researcher is the data gathering instrument.

Data are in the form of

Data are in the form of

numbers and statistics.

words, pictures or objects. Relatively subjective since the

Degree of Partiality Relatively objective as it seeks precise

individual’s interpretation of events is

measurement and analysis of target

important, especially when using

concepts.

participant observation, in-depth interviews, and the like

Use of Data

Researcher’s participation

Quantitative data is more efficient, able to

Qualitative data is richer in meaning, but

test hypotheses, but may miss contextual

time consuming, and less able to be

detail.

generalized.

Researcher tends to

Researcher tends to

remain objectively separated

become subjectively immersed

from the subject matter.

in the subject matter.