What is the purpose of Research?

There are three purposes of research:

1. Exploratory Research: As the name suggests, exploratory research is

conducted to explore the research questions and may or may not offer a
final conclusion to the research conducted. It is conducted to handle new
problem areas which haven’t been explored before. Exploratory research
lays the foundation for more conclusive research and data collection. For
example, a research conducted to know the level of customer
satisfaction among the patrons of a restaurant.

2. Descriptive Research: Descriptive research focuses on throwing more

light on current issues through a process of data collection. Descriptive
studies are used to describe the behavior of a sample population. In
descriptive research, only one variable (anything that has quantity or quality
that varies) is required to conduct a study. The three main purposes of
descriptive research are describing, explaining and validating the findings.
For example, a research conducted to know if top-level management
leaders in the 21st century posses the moral right to receive a huge sum of
money from the company profit?

3. Explanatory Research: Explanatory research or causal research, is

conducted to understand the impact of certain changes in existing standard
procedures. Conducting experiments is the most popular form of casual
research. For example, research conducted to understand the effect of
rebranding on customer loyalty.

To understand the characteristic of research design using research

purpose here is a comparative analysis:

Exploratory Research Descriptive Research Explanatory Res

Research approach used Unstructured Structured Highly structured

Research conducted By using researc

Asking research questions Asking research questions
through hypotheses.

Early stages of decision Later stages of decision Later stages of d

When is it conducted?
making making making

Learn More: Primary Research- Examples, Methods and Purpose

Research method is defined as the tools or an instrument that is used to
accomplish the goals and attributes of conducting a research process.
Think of the methodology as a systematic process in which the tools or
instruments will be employed. There is no use of a tool if it is not being
used efficiently.

To understand research methods we must first understand what research

is. Research is a careful study of a specific problem or concern using
scientific methods, tools, and instruments. Remember as kids, we were
given projects in elementary schools and we were asked to know about it in
details. Research is the adult form of that elementary project, only a more
precise and thorough version!

Research can be about anything, scientific research, basic research,

applied research, market research- qualitative market
research and quantitative market research, problem-oriented research,
problem-solving research. To begin researching something, you need to
have a problem or a concern that needs a solution.

Research really begins with asking the right research questions, what
follows next is choosing appropriate research method to be able to
investigate the problem or issue in the right direction and then finally
analyze your findings or observations to draw appropriate conclusions.

When it comes to customers and related research, there should be no

stone unturned. Specify and plan the customer’s research, help make
smart decisions about how to market and position your business efficiently.
Choosing the right research method will help you get important answers
about your clients. But before we go any further, first let us identify the
research methods