The types of research and their characteristics

Research is a human resource thanks to which we have managed to advance since our appearance on Earth, which has led to improvements but also new potholes to overcome. However, when we think about it, our brain may focus exclusively on very specific evidence, when in fact there are a lot of types of research. For that reason we are going to analyze all the most common ones and of course we will also take into account their characteristics.

Classification of the types of research according to the objective

First of all we are going to analyze the types of research depending on the objective, which in particular is subdivided into theoretical and applied.

• Pure or theoretical research: It is a type of research whose objective is to obtain data that allow reaching knowledge without the need to focus on the possibilities and applications of the same.
• Applied research: Once the data are obtained through pure or theoretical research, then the applied research in such a way that we try to locate all the mechanisms and strategies that help us to focus said knowledge in a specific direction, that is, with a specific objective, in order to provide a utility.

Classification based on the level of deepening

Another classification is according to the level of deepening, which may be higher or lower depending on the case.

• Exploratory investigation: The data will be analyzed in a shallow way, in order to get an idea to later expand the investigation.
• Descriptive research: In this case, we proceed to look for an average deepening that allows obtaining as much data as possible related to the investigation and the objective of this. What will not be valued in this case is the details that allow us to assess the investigation.
• Explanatory research: It is the investigation of greater depth, since in addition to obtaining all the necessary data, It also looks for the reasons and makes the necessary evaluations that allow understanding the causes and consequences.

Classification based on the data used

Another classification is based on the data we use, in which case we would speak of qualitative and quantitative.

• Qualitative research: This is an investigation that leads us to obtain data that are not quantifiable, so that we obtain a large amount of information, but there is subjectivity and a significant lack of justification of the phenomena. However, it is usually an initial phase that later allows us to obtain more complete and objective information.
• Quantitative investigation: This is the step in which an analysis and study of reality is carried out, that is, it is an objective investigation in which real measurements are established with which a greater amount of reliable data is obtained, thus seeking proven explanations, statistics and generalizable.

Classification based on the degree of manipulation of variables

Based on the level of variables that we have for the process, we will find different classifications.

• Experimental research: It is one in which highly controlled variables are manipulated, studying the effects that occur in specific cases. From this system several hypotheses are born that can be tested through the scientific method.
• Quasi experimental research: It is another type of research that, without being excessively different from the experimental one, has some peculiarities such as the fact that it works with one or more variables, but there is no control over one or more of them, so the results are they are less exact.
• Non-experimental research: Thirdly, we have non-experimental research that is fundamentally focused on observation, so that we do not control any of the variables and the results obtained are superficial.

Classification based on the type of inference

This is another type of classification that presents three methods that are deductive, inductive and hypothetical deductive.

• Deductive method research: A reality study is carried out, seeking to verify each of the checks that are carried out, which allows us to obtain conclusions that can be generalized.
• Inductive method research: It is based on obtaining reasoning and conclusions obtained through observation and analysis, so that we obtain quite correct conclusions although they do not have everything necessary to be able to generalize them.
• Investigation of hypothetical deductive method: It is a type of scientific research that aims to obtain a hypothesis obtained from the observation of certain facts, giving rise to the appearance of various theories that may be more or less correct.

Classification based on the time period in which it is carried out

In this case we can find two different types that are longitudinal and transversal.

Longitudinal investigation

It is a type of research that has the characteristic of observing certain processes based on a specific time, so that relevant data is obtained based on the way in which they evolve, the way variables are set and of course also based on the characteristics.

Cross-cutting research

And to finish we have this type of research that is based on the comparison of certain characteristics and the situation of different subjects based on a specific moment, so that all the observed subjects share the same time with each other.

These are the main classifications of the types of research that we can carry out, and you may have observed that each of them has well-defined characteristics that differentiate it from the rest, thus achieving much more specific research based on needs. that we have with respect to the elements that we want to investigate.

As always happens when we prepare similar lists, this type of classification seeks to be complete but from a general perspective, since there are diverse opinions as well as other classifications that seek to define the investigation based on different parameters that, with greater or lesser depth, they have been exposed and accepted as more or less efficient.