1. TYPES OF RESEARCH
ACCORDING TO THE INTENT.
IT IS NOT SHARPLY DISTINGUISHABLE.
THERE MAY BE OVERLAPPING
Pure
Applied
Exploratory
Descriptive
Diagnostic
Evaluation
Action

2. Pure research
 Sake of knowledge
 Aims at extension of knowledge
 Without intention to apply it in practice
 Fundamental research
 Not necessarily problem oriented
 New theory or refinement of an existing theory
 Lays the foundation for applied research
 Finding of research formed the basis for innumerable
scientific & technological inventions.

3. Example
 Einstein’s theory of relativity
 Newton’s theory
 Galileo’s contribution

4. Applied research
 Problem & action oriented
 It seeks an immediate & practical result.
 To find out solution to real life problem
 Vast scope in the field of technology, management,
commerce, economics & other social science.
 Innumerable problems are faced in these areas.
 It needs empirical study for finding solution

5. Example
 Marketing research carried on for developing a
new market or for studying the post purchase
experience of customers.

6. Exploratory/ Formulative research
 Study of unfamiliar problem.
 Pilot study
Purposes,
 New idea
 Familiarity
 Precise formulation
 Feasible study
 Dose not aim at testing hypothesis

7. Steps in exploration
1. Review of pertinent literature
2. An experience survey
3. An analysis of ‘ insight stimulating’

8. 1. Literature survey
 Study of related & pertinent books, articles and
reports.
 A workable hypothesis may be formulated

9. 2. An experience survey
 Informal interviews
 May yield new hypothesis

10. 3. Analysis of insight stimulating cases
 Intensive study of selected cases

11. Descriptive research
 Fact finding with adequate interpretation
 Specific study
 More than one source of data collection
Applicable to problem which satisfy certain conditions,
1. Describable not arguable
2. Quantitative assemblage for reliability &
significance.
3. Possible to develop valid standard of comparison.

12. Example
 Philosophical & controversial issues are not suitable
for DS

13. Diagnostic study
 Aims at identifying the causes of problems and the
possible solution for it.
Directed towards,
1. What is happening?
2. Why is happening?
3. What can be done?
 It is more actively guided by hypothesis.

14. Evaluation studies
 Made for assessing the effectiveness of social or
economical schemes implemented
 Types- concurrent, periodic and terminal
Example:
 Family planning schemes for assessing the impact of
development projects

15. Action research
 It is a evaluation study like concurrent evaluation.