TYPES OF RESEARCH DESIGN

Research designs are basically classified into two, namely:

a) Exploratory

b) Descriptive

A. Exploratory research design

Exploratory research design applies when the research objectives include the following:

a.   identifying problems

b. developing a more precise formulation of a vaguely identified problem

c. gaining perspective regarding the breath of variables operating in a situation

d. establishing priorities regarding the potential significance of various problems

e. gaining management and researcher perspective concerning the character of the problem situation

f.  identifying and formulating alternative courses of action; and

g. gathering information on the problems associated with doing conclusive research.

h. identification of problems  can be assisted through the following:

     i)   Searching secondary sources

     ii)  Interviewing knowledgeable persons

     iii) Compiling case histories.

B. Descriptive Research Design:

Descriptive research encompasses much government sponsored research including the population census, the collection of a wide range of social indicators and economic information such as household expenditure patterns, time use studies, employment and crime statistics and the like.

Descriptions can be concrete or abstract. A relatively concrete description might describe the ethnic mix of a community, the changing age profile of a population or the gender mix of a workplace. Alternatively, the description might ask more abstract questions such as `Is the level of social inequality increasing or declining?', `How secular is society?' or `How much poverty is there in this community?'

Accurate descriptions of the level of unemployment or poverty have historically played a key role in social policy reforms (Marsh, 1982). By demonstrating the existence of social problems, competent description can challenge accepted assumptions about the way things are and can provoke action.