Assignment On

Types of Business Research

Course Title: Business Research
Course Code: BBA-411

Submitted To:

Dr. Mohammad Jamal Uddin

Associate Professor
Department of Business Administration
Metropolitan University, Sylhet

Submitted By:

Md. Mahbub Hussain

ID No : 161-116-155
Programme : BBA
Batch : 38th
Section :C
Department of Business Administration
Metropolitan University, Sylhet

Submission Date: 22-10-2018

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 Types of Research
1. Descriptive Research vs Analytical Research
Descriptive research is a survey and fact-finding investigation. It is aims to describe the
characteristics of individual, situation or a group or the state of affairs as it exists at present.
Researcher has no control over the variables and researcher has to report the actual conditions.
On the other hand, analytical research is a critical evaluation based on information that is
available and primarily concerned with testing hypothesis; specifying and interpreting
relationships by analyze the facts or existing information.
Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different kinds. The major
purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs as it exists at present. In
social science and business research we quite often use the term Ex post facto research for
descriptive research studies. The main characteristic of this method is that the researcher has
no control over the variables; he can only report what has happened or what is happening. Most
ex post facto research projects are used for descriptive studies in which the researcher seeks to
measure such items as, for example, frequency of shopping, preferences of people, or similar
data. Ex post facto studies also include attempts by researchers to discover causes even when
they cannot control the variables. The methods of research utilized in descriptive research are
survey methods of all kinds, including comparative and correlational methods. In analytical
research, on the other hand, the researcher has to use facts or information already available,
and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.

2. Applied vs Fundamental Research

Research can either be applied (or action) research or fundamental (to basic or pure) research.
Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an
industrial/business organization, whereas fundamental research is mainly concerned with
generalizations and with the formulation of a theory. “Gathering knowledge for knowledge’s
sake is termed ‘pure’ or ‘basic’ research.” Research concerning some natural phenomenon or
relating to pure mathematics are examples of fundamental research. Similarly, research studies,
concerning human behavior carried on with a view to make generalizations about human
behavior, are also examples of fundamental research, but research aimed at certain conclusions
(say, a solution) facing a concrete social or business problem is an example of applied research.
Research to identify social, economic or political trends that may affect a particular institution
or the copy research (research to find out whether certain communications will be read and
understood) or the marketing research or evaluation research are examples of applied research.
Thus, the central aim of applied research is to discover a solution for some pressing practical
problem, whereas basic research is directed towards finding information that has a broad base
of applications and thus, adds to the already existing organized body of scientific knowledge.

3. Qualitative vs Quantitative Research

Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable to
phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity. Qualitative research, on the other hand,
is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e., phenomena relating to or involving quality or
kind. For instance, when we are interested in investigating the reasons for human behavior (i.e.,

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why people think or do certain things), we quite often talk of ‘Motivation Research’, an
important type of qualitative research. This type of research aims at discovering the underlying
motives and desires, using in depth interviews for the purpose. Other techniques of such
research are word association tests, sentence completion tests, story completion tests and
similar other projective techniques. Attitude or opinion research i.e., research designed to find
out how people feel or what they think about a particular subject or institution is also qualitative
research. Qualitative research is especially important in the behavioral sciences where the aim
is to discover the underlying motives of human behavior. Through such research we can
analyze the various factors which motivate people to behave in a particular manner or which
make people like or dislike a particular thing. It may be stated, however, that to apply
qualitative research in practice is relatively a difficult job and therefore, while doing such
research, one should seek guidance from experimental psychologists.

4. Conceptual vs Empirical Research

Conceptual research is that related to some abstract ideas or theory. It is generally used by
philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones. On the other
hand, empirical research relies on experience or observation alone, often without due regard
for system and theory. It is data-based research, coming up with conclusions which are capable
of being verified by observation or experiment. We can also call it as experimental type of
research. In such a research it is necessary to get at facts firsthand, at their source, and actively
to go about doing certain things to stimulate the production of desired information. In such a
research, the researcher must first provide himself with a working hypothesis or guess as to the
probable results. He then works to get enough facts or data to prove or disprove his hypothesis.
He then sets up experimental designs which he thinks will manipulate the persons or the
materials concerned so as to bring forth the desired information. Such research is thus
characterized by the experimenter’s control over the variables under study and his deliberate
manipulation of one of them to study its effects. Empirical research is appropriate when proof
is sought that certain variables affect other variables in some way. Evidence gathered through
experiments or empirical studies is today considered to be the most powerful support possible
for a given hypothesis.

5. Casual Research
Causal research, also called explanatory research, is the investigation of cause-and-effect
relationships. To determine causality, it is important to observe variation in the variable
assumed to cause the change in the other variable, and then measure the changes in the other
variable.
Other confounding influences must be controlled for so they don't distort the results, either by
holding them constant in the experimental creation of data, or by using statistical methods. This
type of research is very complex and the researcher can never be completely certain that there
are no other factors influencing the causal relationship, especially when dealing with people’s
attitudes and motivations. There are often much deeper psychological considerations that even
the respondent may not be aware of.
There are two research methods for exploring the cause-and-effect relationship between
variables: experimentation (e.g., in a laboratory), and statistical research.

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6. Cross-sectional Research
Cross-sectional study is defined as an observational research type that analyzes data of
variables collected at one given point of time across a sample population. Population or a
predefined subset. This study type is also known as cross-sectional analysis, transverse study
or prevalence study.
Cross-sectional study enables you to explore a research phenomenon thoroughly in different
areas of culture and society at a certain point in time. Cross-sectional study also enables you to
choose your research point of view flexibly.
The focus of your cross-sectional study is not primarily temporal change, but the qualities,
features, conditions and appearances of the phenomenon at a chosen point of time. Your
research focuses on how the phenomenon infuses various social and cultural circumstances.
You can use any of the choice of suitable methods of analysis.

7. Longitudinal Research
A longitudinal research is an observational research method in which data is gathered for the
same subjects repeatedly over a period of time. Longitudinal research projects can extend over
years or even decades.
Longitudinal research enables you to explore and explain change and development over a long
period of time (i.e. years and decades). The basis of longitudinal research strategy is that you
review a phenomenon, observing any changes in it and analyzing the factors influencing the
change or the consequences of the change over a long period of time.
You can use any of several modes of longitudinal research, such as panel, trend and cohort
studies, and there is also a choice of suitable methods of analysis.

8. Time-series Data Research

In order to approach time series analysis and forecasting, we must first answer the question
regarding what constitutes time series data. A time series is a sequence of data points, typically
consisting of successive measurements made over a time interval. Examples of time series are
solar activity, ocean tides, stock market behavior, and the spread of disease. Time series are
often plotted using line charts. Time series data are found in any domain of applied science and
engineering which involves time-based measurements.
Time series data research comprises methods for analyzing time series data to extract
meaningful statistics and other characteristics of time series data. It focuses on comparing
values of a single time series or multiple dependent time series at different points in time.
We use time series data research for many applications where pertinent time series data can be
collected, such as:
 Budget Analysis
 Financial Market Analysis
 Census Analysis
 Inventory Management
 Economic Forecasting
 Marketing and Sales Forecasting

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  Yield Projections
 Seismological Predictions
 Workload Projections
 Military Planning

9. Laboratory Research
Laboratory research—also called clinical trials, research in which the researcher seeks to
control conditions and variables to determine whether a clinical intervention produced the
desired effects or if other factors were responsible for the desired effects.

10. Historical Research

Historical research is a procedure supplementary to observation in which the researcher seeks
to test the authenticity of the reports or observation made by others.
Historical research enables you to explore and explain the meanings, phases and characteristics
of a phenomenon or process at a particular point of time in the past. We differentiate historical
research as a research strategy from the research of history, which refers to research in the
discipline of history.
The variable focus of your research is time. Your essential aim is to identify appearances of
your chosen phenomenon in a temporally defined situation and environment. The strategy of
historical research is also suitable in other disciplines as it enables you to focus on exploring
the historical appearances of phenomena.
The strategy of historical research is linked to the strategy of hermeneutics, as defining and
explaining events in the past are based on interpretations. You can, as in hermeneutic research,
use various approaches. You can use a variety of methods of analysis. Qualitative analysis is
the norm, but quantitative analysis can also explain the past.

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