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Descriptive

Research Design
BY: PRATEEK KAKKAR
Meaning

 Descriptive research methods are used when the researcher wants


to describe specific behavior as it occurs in the environment. There
are a variety of descriptive research methods available, the nature
of the question that needs to be answered drives which method is
used. It does not answer questions about how/when/why the
characteristics occurred. Rather it addresses the "what" question
(what are the characteristics of the population or situation being
studied?).
 The characteristics used to describe the situation or population are
usually some kind of categorical scheme also known as descriptive
categories. Eg: Periodic Table.
Types of Descriptive Research

 Observational Method

 Case Study Method

 Survey Method
Observational Method

 Observational research (or field research) is a type of correlational


(i.e., non-experimental) research in which a researcher observes
ongoing behavior.
 There are a variety of types of observational research, each of
which has both strengths and weaknesses.
 3 Approaches of Observational Research:
 Covert observation
 Overt observation
 Researcher participation
3 Approaches of Observational
Research
Researcher
Covert Observation Overt Observation Participation
• The researchers do not • The researchers identify • The researcher participates
identify themselves. Either themselves as researchers in what they are observing
they mix in with the subjects and explain the purpose of so as to get a finer
undetected, or they their observations. appreciation of the
observe from a distance. phenomena.
The advantages of this • The problem with this
approach are: approach is subjects may
modify their behavior when
(1) It is not necessary to get the they know they are being
subjects’ cooperation, and watched.
(2) The subjects’ behavior will
not be contaminated by
the presence of the
researcher.
Case Study Method

 Case studies are analyses of persons, events, decisions, periods,


projects, policies, institutions, or other systems that are studied
holistically by one or more method.

 The case that is the subject of the inquiry will be an instance of a


class of phenomena that provides an analytical frame — an object
— within which the study is conducted and which the case
illuminates and explicates.
Strengths & Limitations of Case
study Method
Strengths Limitations
 Provides detailed (rich qualitative)  Can’t generalize the results to the
information. wider population.
 Provides insight for further  Researchers own subjective
research. feeling may influence the case
study (researcher bias).
 Permitting investigation of
otherwise impractical (or  Difficult to replicate.
unethical) situations.
 Time consuming.
Survey Method

 A survey is defined as a brief interview or discussion with individuals


about a specific topic. Survey research is often used to assess
thoughts, opinions, and feelings. Survey research can be specific
and limited, or it can have more global, widespread goals.
 A survey consists of a predetermined set of questions that is given to
a sample. With a representative sample, that is, one that is
representative of the larger population of interest, one can describe
the attitudes of the population from which the sample was drawn.
 3 Techniques of Survey Research are:
 Questionnaires
 Interviews
 Survey
Techniques of Survey Research

Questionnaires Interviews Survey


• A series of written questions • Questions posed to an • Brief interviews and
a participant answers. individual to obtain discussions with individuals
information about him or about a specific topic.
• This method gathers her.
responses to questions that • A survey is a quick interview,
are essay or • This type of survey is like a with the surveyor asking only
agree/neutral/disagree job interview, with one a few questions.
style. person asking another a
load of questions.

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