11/29/2023
CoSC-4123 1. Based on Goal of Research
Research Methods in CS Goal of research is problem solving.
The nature of the problem that the research
Unit II attempts to solve could be theoretical or practical –
building a theory or solving immediate practical
problems.
Types of Research Based on goal of research we can categorize the
research further:-
• Basic Research
Dr. Mohammed Faisal • Applied Research
Department CS, CET,
Samara University, Ethiopia
1 3
Types of Research Basic/Pure/Fundamental Research
There are different ways of classifying research. It
is really difficult to propose a single classification
method that fits different disciplines and is
• It is driven purely by curiosity and a desire
acceptable by all. to expand our knowledge.
Research can be classified in terms of:
1. Based on goal of research,
• This type of research tends not to be
2. Based on specific objectives of research,
directly applicable to the real world in a
3. Based on approaches to research,
direct way, but enhances our
understanding of the world around us.
4. based on design,
5. Based on the type of data used in research, and
6. Based on fields of study. 2 4
1
11/29/2023
Features of Basic Research Applied Research
Applied research is one type of research that is used to answer a
specific question that has direct applications to the world. This is
is about explaining the world around us and trying to
the type of research that solves a problem.
understand how the universe operates.
It is a direct descendent of philosophy.
Is designed to solve practical problems of the modern world.
primary objective is advancement of knowledge and the
theoretical understanding of the relations among variables. Its purpose is about testing theories, often generated by pure
science, and applying them to real situations, addressing more
It is basically concerned with the formulation of a theory or
than just abstract principles.
a contribution to the existing body of knowledge.
Applied research topics can cover a wide variety of subjects, all
designed to add to an organized body of scientific
addressing practical problems.
knowledge & does not necessarily produce results of
immediate practical value Examples:- Research that addresses the effectiveness of
a fundraising technique.
How to reverse or manage global warming?
5 7
2. based on specific objective
Example of Basic Research Research also addresses specific objective.
The objective could be describing a phenomenon of interest or
• How did the universe created? explaining causal link between two variables or you may be
interested in better understanding and clarifying of a particular
• Research that addresses a theory of phenomenon.
memory. Categorization based on specific Objectives:-
• Research that addresses a theory of how • Descriptive,: sets out to describe and to interpret “what is”.
people make important decisions. The researcher has no control over the variables; i.e. He/she
can only report what has happened or what is happening.
For example, frequency of shopping, preferences of people, or
similar data.
Basic research lays down the foundation
• Explanatory
for the applied research that follows!!!! • Exploratory Research
6 8
2
11/29/2023
Research Methodology to Conduct
Descriptive Research 3. Based on Approach of Research
Surveys: gather data to describe something Based on your approach what is important
correlation studies: trace relationships among two or
more variables; + or - relationship or may not have
to you.
relationship at all
observation studies: involve observing and recording of
behaviour or trait or attribute as it occurs in its natural
Quantitative Research
settings Qualitative Research
case studies: emphasize detailed contextual analysis of a
limited number of events
9 11
Explanatory/Analytical Research Quantitative methods ‘‘hard science’’ disciplines
aims at establishing the cause and effect relationship between
variables.
The desire to know "why“, to explain, is the purpose of explanatory Quantitative Research
research. It is based on the measurement of quantity or amount.
It can be taken as a continuation of descriptive research to identify the It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms
reasons for something that occurs.
of quantity.
The objective of quantitative research is to develop and
Exploratory Research employ mathematical models, theories and hypotheses
It focuses on gaining background information and helps to better pertaining to natural phenomena.
understand and clarify a problem. The process of measurement is central to quantitative
It is conducted when there are few or no earlier studies to which research because it provides the fundamental connection
references can be made for information.
between empirical observation and mathematical expression of
It provides insights into and comprehension of an issue or situation for an attribute
more rigorous investigation later.
It can be said that exploratory research is generally a predecessor to a
more formal study. 10 12
3
11/29/2023
qualitative methods, social and behavioural sciences
4. based on design
Qualitative Research Once the researcher has determined the specific
phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind. It is question to be answered and has operationalized
attitude or opinion research. the variables and research question into a clear,
It involves studies that do not attempt to quantify their measurable hypothesis, the next task is to
results through statistical summary or analysis. consider a suitable research design.
Here, data are often in the form of descriptions, not numbers.
It typically involves in-depth interviews, group discussions,
artefact studies, projective techniques, and observations We can categorize the research based on
without formal measurement design as:-
• Experimental
• Quasi-experimental
13
• non-experimental 15
Characteristics of Qualitative and Quantitative Research Experimental Research
An experimental research aims at predicting the outcome by
introducing a change of the preconditions, which is reflected in a
variable called the predictor (independent).
The change in the predictor is generally hypothesized to result in a
change in the second variable, hence called the outcome
(dependent) variable.
Quasi Experimental
A quasi-experiment is an empirical study used to estimate
the causal impact of an intervention on its target population
without random assignment.
Quasi-experimental research shares similarities with the
traditional experimental design.
Quasi-experimental designs typically allow the researcher to control
the assignment to the treatment condition, but using some criterion
14 other than random assignment (e.g., an eligibility cutoff mark) 16
4
11/29/2023
Non Experimental Research
Non-experimental research is the label given to a study
when a researcher cannot control, manipulate or alter the
predictor variable or subjects, but instead, relies on
interpretation, observation or interactions to come to a
conclusion.
17 19
5. Based on Type of Data
Depending on the type of data generated and used, 6. based on field of study
research can be classified as:-
• Primary research (also called field research) Research can also be classified based on field of study.
involves the collection of data that does not already Natural science research
exist . social science research,
Examples include surveys, interviews, observations, educational research,
and ethnographic research. behavioural science research
• Secondary research (also known as desk research) Engineering research
...
– involves the summary, collation and/or synthesis of
existing data rather than generating primary data
where data are collected from, for example, research
subjects or experiments.
18 20