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What is psychological research?

 A scientific research is a systematic empirical and critical investigation of

propositions about the presumed relationship of previous phenomena (Kerlinger
1986).
 Psychological research is a structured enquiry that utilises acceptable scientific
methodology to solve problems and to create new knowledge which is generally
applicable (Grinell).

Characteristics of psychological research

1. CONTROLLED: The concept of control implies that while exploring the causality in
relation to two variables, researchers set up their study in a way that minimises the
effects of other factors affecting the relationship. In social sciences, research is
conducted in field on human beings so the factors are impossible to control so
researchers attempt to quantify their impact.
2. RIGOROUS: Researchers must be very careful in ensuring that the procedures used to
find answers are appropriate, relevant and justified.
3. SYSTEMATIC: The procedures undertaken for the research should follow a certain
logical sequence.
4. VALID AND VERIFIABLE: This implies that whatever the researchers conclude
from the results are valid and can be verified by the researcher and by others.
5. EMPIRICAL: Conclusions drawn are based upon hard evidence gathered from
information collected from real-life experiences or observations.
6. CRITICAL: The process of investigation must be full proof and free from any
drawbacks. The procedures and process used must be able to withstand critical
scrutiny.

Research methods and methodology

Research Methods helps to identify the topic or issue with deeper understanding through
qualitative and quantitative research processes, i.e., methods implied by a researcher in a
research, whereas, research Methodology becomes a proper theoretical and systematic
analysis of the ways employed in the research, i.e., how research is performed scientifically.
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Types of research methods

Researchers use different methods for conducting research. Each method has advantages and
disadvantages that make it applicable for certain situations and inapplicable for others.

 Application: 1. Applied research

2. basic research or pure research
 Objective: 1. Descriptive research
2. Explanatory research
3. exploratory research
4. correlation research
 Inquiry: 1. Qualitative research
2. Quantitative research
 Time Dimension: 1. Longitudinal research
o Time series
o Panel study
o Cohort study

2. Cross-sectional research

3. Case study

 APPLIED RESEARCH: When we do applied research we address a specific concern.

We seldom try to build, test, or make connections to a theory. Most applied research
studies are short term and short scale, offering practical results that we can use within
a year or less. It involves development, examination, verification, refinement of
research and focuses on application. Business, government offices, social services
agencies, educational institutions, etc., conduct applied studies and make decisions
based on the findings.
 BASIC RESEARCH: Basic research, also known as academic research or pure
research, advances fundamental knowledge about the social world. Researchers use
basic research to support or refute theories about how the social world operates and
changes, what make things happen, and why social relations or events are a certain
way. Much basic research lacks practical applications in the short term, however, it
builds a foundation of knowledge and understanding that has an impact on many areas
of the study. Basic researchers may examine issues that appear impractical because
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applications for the resulting knowledge may not appear for years or decades. So, it
develops a theory and test the hypothesis, challenge the research but is mostly not
applicable. Example of pure research include developing a sample technique which
can be applied to a particular situation.
 DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH: descriptive research presents a picture of the specific
details of the specific details of a situation, social setting, or relationship. A
descriptive research starts with a well-defined issue or question and tries to describe it
accurately and the outcome is a detailed answer to the research question. It focuses on
secondary research and describe the characteristics of the population or phenomena.
Most part of social research is descriptive. Descriptive researchers use most data-
gathering techniques: surveys, field research, content analysis and historical-
comparative research.
 EXPLORATORY RESEARCH: Mostly, researchers use exploratory research when
the subject is very new and know nothing about it and no one has explored it ye and
achieve new insight into it. The goal is to formulate more precise questions that can
be addressed in future research. Exploratory research rarely yields definitive answers.
It is difficult to conduct because it has few guidelines, everything is potentially
important, steps are not well-defined and the direction of inquiry changes frequently.
Researchers who conduct this type of research must be open-minded, creative and
flexible.
 EXPLANATORY RESEARCH: