Types of Research

Question 1

Exploratory

Answer 1

• seeks new ideas
• gain info about variables and their relationships for later hypothesis
• focus groups, interviews, case-studies

Question 2

Descriptive

Answer 2

• describes state of a phenomenon at one time
• ID associations between variables for later hypothesis generation
• obtain baseline data in a population
• use both qualitative and quantitative methods ~ surveys, interviews, case-studies

Question 3

Explanatory/Experimental

Answer 3

• tests hypothesis, predicts outcomes, identifies causal relationships
• support theories/predict outcomes
• RCT, non-randomized clinical trials, animal or cell studies, epidemiological studies