Science has different ways of adapting to the type of phenomena it must study.
To increase knowledge within science, there are therefore different types of research. Resorting to them is the best option to produce new information, being essentially a creative process of discovery through well-defined methods.
The 10 different types of scientific research
The scientific method has clear principles, and it is on them that scientific research is based . Science has developed the scientific method to systematize and validate the different ways of investigating, and it is that knowledge cannot be built in any way.
Below are the different types of research. In essence, these are systematic processes that allow us to explain reality or find solutions to different issues, some being more rigid than others.
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Types of research according to the level of prior knowledge
Science tries to explain reality and different situations, but sometimes it starts from a different starting point .
When a new question arises, one must first be interested in the subject, exploration being the step prior to confirming the hypothesis.
1. Exploratory research
Exploratory investigations are the initial types of investigation in relation to a phenomenon . It consists of a first approach to a reality, and serves to create the first hypotheses on a specific issue.
Sometimes these questions are generated through the conclusions of other studies, which open new lines of research that must be explored.
2. Confirmatory research
Confirmatory research builds on insights derived from exploratory research . It assumes them once they have been the object of descriptions, comparisons, analyzes and explanations.
In this type of research, the scientist tests the consistency of these hypotheses or theories, being able to reformulate some aspects that give a better explanation of the phenomenon or even give rise to new exploratory research.
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Types of research according to the level of depth
There are types of research that try to describe facts, while others try to explain them. Research must be adapted to the needs of each situation. Sometimes you have to collect information to be able to describe and represent a phenomenon, while in others you can already try to give an explanation.
3. Descriptive research
Descriptive research aims to describe a fact or reality . It is a type of research frequently combined with exploratory research, being very useful to trace observations under a scientific point of view.
It is not intended to explain what happens, but it represents a starting point for research that does.
4. Explanatory research
Explanatory research is concerned with explaining some kind of phenomenon . It can be about any subject, be it quantum physics or some social question, and it has the previous type of research as its starting point.
It is important to keep in mind that its purpose is not to find any absolute truth, but it can even be very valuable only if it is able to rule out any hypothesis.
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Types of research according to its objective
Research can have different objectives based on its applicability . It may seem to many people that there are many theoretical fields, and that some do not seem to be of much use for everyday problems.
This is an erroneous observation, and perhaps in part it is because it is forgetting that theoretical science is capable of giving results for future problems.
5. Theoretical research
Theoretical research consists of the generation of new knowledge . It is based on describing or explaining a reality, regardless of whether it is something whose applicability is immediate or not.
This is a kind of fundamental research, and sometimes it may seem that it has no practical applications, but in future times it may be the basis of some practical solution.
6. Practical research
Practical research tries to give applicability to scientific knowledge . It is a type of research that ends up offering solutions to real life problems, which has enormous potential for change in the life of human beings.
Examples of the applicability of scientific research are industrial technological development and the creation of Research and Development (R&D) departments.
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Types of research according to the data used
Scientific research also differs according to the type of data to be analysed. Depending on the reality to be studied, these will be of one nature or another, so the scientific method must be adapted.
7. Qualitative research
Qualitative research is based on the value of non-numerical information . Different facts can be observable but not quantifiable, and there are different phenomena that are subjective and/or little controllable.
In the social sciences, this type of research must be resorted to many more times than in the empirical sciences.
8. Quantitative Research
Quantitative research employs different objective data . It is a way of doing research that basically takes into account numerical data in order to describe, explain or interpret a phenomenon.
Sometimes some qualitative data can be transformed into qualitative information, for example by creating ordinal categories.
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Types of research according to the time of data collection
Science must study phenomena related to a moment in time, but it is also important to know the evolution of many of them.
The following explains how the research is adapted in each case so that scientific studies can be relevant in each case.
9. Cross-sectional research
Longitudinal research conducts studies focused on a moment in time . This form of research focuses on comparing data belonging to different experimental groups, these being collected in the same time period.
This makes it possible to compare samples from different populations that might not even exist in the future or in the past.
10. Longitudinal research
Longitudinal research, on the other hand, conducts studies over time on the same sample . During a specific period, data is collected and studied, which allows conclusions to be drawn about a phenomenon.
For example, different studies can be carried out every 10 years to deal with topics as different as the development of diseases or demographic studies in a territory.
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Bibliographic references
- Freudenthal, Gideon; McLaughlin, Peter (2009). The Social and Economic Roots of the Scientific Revolution: Texts by Boris Hessen and Henryk Grossmann. Springer Science & Business Media.
- Kerlinger, F.N., & Lee, H.B. (2002). Behavioral research. Research methods in the social sciences (4th ed.). Mexico: McGraw Hill .
- Neuman, W.L. (2011). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Boston: Pearson.
- Popper, K. (1986). The logic of scientific research. Madrid: Tecnos .
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.