Unit Two
Types of Research

Types of research based on purpose
• Research could be undertaken to solve:
 Theoretical problems – Basic research
 Practical problems - Applied research

Basic Research
• Also known as pure or fundamental research
• Objective
 Advancement of knowledge(formulating or expanding theory)
 Understanding of theoretical relationship b/n variables
 Exploratory in nature (discovery of knowledge)
 Done without any particular end in mind

Basic researches answer research questions like:
• How did the Universe begin?
• What is Plasma composed of?
• What is the specific genetic code of the fruit fly?
• How do we predict weather conditions?
• At what point in human history did logical
thought arise?
• What is the mind-body connection?
• Search for alternative energy sources from soil
Basic Research

Applied Research
• Solve specific, practical questions
• Can be exploratory and/or descriptive
• Involves precise measurement of the characteristics and
describes relationships between variables of a studied
phenomenon
 Applied research employs methodology that is not as rigorous
as that of basic research.
 It yields findings that can be evaluated in terms of local
applicability and not of universal validity.

• Investigation directed to discovering new scientific
knowledge that has specific commercial objectives
with respect to products, processes or services.
Applied Research

Applied researches answer the research problems such as
 How to improve agricultural crop production and measure the
improvement
 Treatment of a specific disease
 How can Akaki river be protected against contamination by
industrial effluents?
 How can communication among workers in large companies be
improved?
Applied Research

Note:
Most research questions originate from theories
• Theories normally are a set of related statements that explain a
set of facts
• Researchers of all disciplines use theories to help them describe
facts.
• Theories are strengthened by test results
E.g.
1. Discovery of electromagnetic induction by Michael Faraday leads to the
invention of electric devices such as motors and generators
2. The discovery of radio active isotopes are now vital for medical treatment of
various diseases, also used by archeologists.

Basic and applied research are not mutually
exclusive.
• There are researches that have both theoretical and
practical implications.
• The distinction is a matter of emphasis rather than
a true dichotomy.

Basic Research Applied Research
•Expands existing knowledge •Solves practical problem
•Theoretical in nature •Practical in Nature
•Less associated with technologies •Associated with advancement of
Technology
•Predicts future problems •Creates solutions for future
problems
•Usually does not have direct
commercial objectives
•Has direct commercial objectives
•Curiosity driven •Client or demand driven

Research Types …
• Exploratory research - commonly unstructured research that
is undertaken to gain background information
• The researcher does not know much about the problem and
needs additional information.
• Used in a number of situations:
• To gain background information
• To define terms
• To clarify problems and hypotheses
• To establish research priorities

 Provides significant insight into a given situation
but not usually useful for decision making by itself.
 Often relies on secondary research such as reviewing
available literature.
 Helps to determine the best research design, data
collection method and selection of subjects.
E.g Why our sales are declining?
Therefore, exploratory research:
Research Types …

A variety of methods are available to conduct
exploratory research:
 Secondary Data Analysis
 Experience Surveys
 Case Analysis
 Focus Groups
Research Types …

 It is based on observation and experience (more than upon
theory and abstraction)
 It can be qualitative & quantitative.
Empirical research – research that bases its findings on direct or
indirect observation as it is test of reality.
• Statistical formulas are fundamental to forming logical, valid
conclusions.
Empirical Research
Empirical & theoretical researchs complement each other in understanding of
the phenomena and in predicting future.
Research Types …

Experimental Research
• Explores cause and effect relationships.
• Proposes scientific alternative and examine results under
various scenario
• Consideration of realistic variables value establishes
results’ robustness
Research Types …

Experimental Research
• Helps to see the effects on dependent variable and to
explore a particular event
• Manipulates one or more variables and controls and
measures any change in other variables
• Laboratory based experiment is very helpful procedure
before developing or scale up the given technology

 Primary/field research – the collection of data that does
not already exist.
Primary Data: data collected from participants through telephone,
mail, online, and face-to-face, and observation studies and focus
groups (quantitative and/or qualitative)
 Secondary/desk research – the summary, collection
and/or synthesis of existing research/reports
Secondary Data: accessing data through sources such as the
internet and library
Primary and secondary research

• Quantitative research - based on the measurement of quantity or
amount
• Demands collection of numerical data, analysis of those data and the
drawing of conclusions from the qualitative data
Examples of quantitative research data findings:
• The result show that the efficiency of the system has increased by 2 %
• Based on the research the increase in number of customer using this
brand is 5 %
Qualitative and Quantitative research

• Qualitative research - concerned with qualitative phenomenon
• Based on feelings, emotions, sounds and other nonnumeric and
unquantifiable elements
• Information is considered qualitative in nature if it can’t be
analyzed by means of mathematical techniques
• Provides theme for the problem researched from subjective data
analyzed and how the variables influence one another
Qualitative and Quantitative research

Other types of researches?
Reading assignment

Group Discussion
• Form a group of three members
Research topics
1. Production system simulation and analysis to improve bottleneck
operation with line balancing
2. Understanding technology transfer impact on Ethiopian professionals in
Industry parks
3. Improving the energy efficiency of condominium homes
Task
1. Craft an objective for these issues and discuss what type of research you
would recommend?
2. What type of data would you need for these researches?
• Provide your assumption and justification