Kinds and Methods of Research

Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1. Differentiate the three types of research

2. Give examples of these types of researches

KINDS OF RESEARCH

Research studies are conducted according to the intended need or problem a researcher wishes to
undergo. There are four kinds of research, Adanza, et., al. (2009) describes them as follows:

1. BASIC RESEARCH
This kind of research deals with the process of objects and things, or information about
different topics with no concern for a direct pay – off. Among these are studies on
relationships, comparative analyses, trends and projections. Examples are:

a. Relationship between emotional quotient and leadership skills of hotel

managers in Cagayan.
b. The intrinsic and extrinsic motivation factors of students to enroll in
Hospitality Management courses.
c. Cost benefit analysis of contractual workers in the hospitality industry.

2. APPLIED RESEARCH
This kind of research probe into the unknown using directly the results to a current problem.
It involves the application of scientific knowledge to the solution of a problem. There is a
development of a new system or procedure, new device or new method in order to solve
the problem. It aims to improve a product or a process testing theoretical concepts in actual
problem situation. Examples are:
a. Studies on rice substitutes
b. Modern methods for gall bladder operation
c. Use of native plants as source of gasoline

3. EMPIRICAL RESEARCH
This is more specific than basic research, but imply its nature from the use of data, whether
quantitative or qualitative. Problems that involve differences and relationships of behavior
or measurable characteristics are empirical researches. Basically, it has the following
characteristics:
 o Based upon observations and experiences;
o Derived from direct data;
o Deal with population samples; and
o Generally uses estimations and hypothesis testing

4. PURE RESEARCHES
This is called “basic research” or “fundamental research.” It aims to discover the basic
truths or principles. This is intended to add to a body of scientific knowledge. It employs
careful sampling procedures in order to extend the findings beyond the group or situation
studied. It is usually carried out in the laboratory often with animals as subjects. It is geared
towards the resolution or a simplification of a problem or derivation of a concept or a theory
or even a formula. Examples are thesis/dissertation of students for a masteral or doctoral
degree in Mathematics, Statistics or Physics.

METHODS OF RESEARCH

Methods are the different basic and fundamental procedures of approach which the researcher
should follow to bring about the result of their studies. Research tools are instruments used to gather data
and materials to support the adopted method (De Leon and Claudio (1996).

The most commonly used research methods are: (1) Experimental (2) Descriptive and (3) Historical
Methods.

Let us look at these methods closely:

(1) Experimental Method

In this method, the variable dealt with must be one that can be controlled, and
possible factors will determine the measurement of its change. The following
considerations should be taken into account:

a. Careful definition of an important, feasible problem

b. Exact description of experimental factors
c. Control of all factors in accordance with law of single variable
d. Selection of the next techniques for the experimental set – up
e. Administration of an adequate measurement program using valid and reliable
tests
f. Adequate reporting of the experiment including the interpretation of
significant differences
g. Provision for the possibility of repetition of the study and further research in
the same field

Example:

A medical doctor would like to introduce a new drug that will influence
the cure of typhoid fever. He will use two groups of patients using an experimental
 design, with the control group using the ordinary drug and the experimental group
using the new drug. The two groups have to be put initially alike in variables that
might affect the experiment.
▪ Independent variable – the new drug
▪ Dependent variable – cure for typhoid fever

(2) Descriptive Method

This method of research focuses on fact – finding and needs a lot of interpretation
of the condition that now exist. It involves comparison and contrasts. The main objective
of the study is to describe the nature of a situation as it exists at the time of the study, and
to explore the causes of a particular phenomenon. Descriptive research seeks “what is” of
data. One can only describe what is prevailing and develop inferences but cannot explain
the “why” of the dynamics of the variables.

The descriptive research is a method which does not only contains many types of
research but also encompasses various types of researches. The following are the types of
research that use the descriptive method:

1. Case Studies
This is a type of detailed and in – depth research involving a few
respondents, ranging from one to a small size of less than ten, over a considerable
period of time. It provides a very limited number of participants and a very in –
depth description of the development of a certain activity, matter of person, event,
institution or community. Examples are:
a. A case study of the COVID 19
b. Implementation of Organization Development in a Seven Star Hotel:
A Case Study

2. Surveys
This method is used when one intends to gather a relatively limited data
from a relatively large number of subjects. The purpose is to gather information
about prevailing conditions or about the variables under study. This generally
serves the purpose of describing current conditions, characteristics of a group of
people or objects, opinions, attitudes, and impressions of people. Examples are:
a. Leadership dimensions of hotel managers in Cagayan
b. Total quality management and empowerment of hotel staff for
organizational effectiveness
c. Consumer behavior of restaurant diners in Aparri, Cagayan
d. Sociological problems encountered by kids of OFW’s
3. Developmental Studies
This research design requires one to devote a considerable period of time
on participants who maybe relatively heterogenous or homogenous group. This is
done when one desires reliable information about a group of people over a long
period of time. Examples:
 a. A study on the mathematical concepts that college students develop in
the Cagayan State University
b. A study on fraternal twins from birth to seven years old

4. Assessment/Evaluation Studies
Assessment or evaluation studies refer to be the efficiency or effectiveness
of policies, instruments or the variables that maybe considered. It deals with
impressions of perceptions of respondents, it is oftentimes subjective. Evaluation
is a strict and rigid measure. Examples are:
a. The implementation of total quality management in hotels: An
assessment
b. Performance of CHM students in their OJT and the factors that
influence it
c. The use of quality control measures in the baking subjects of CHM
students

5. Comparative Studies
There are also definite comparative studies in research that are studies
which have intervening variable, that will result in differences in certain
characteristics according to variables considered, without determining the cause or
may cause a difference. Examples are:
a. Organization development interventions as perceived and desired by
personnel of a hotel establishment
b. The effects of certain variables on the communication abilities of first
year CHM students
c. Management styles of hotel and restaurant managers according to
selected variables as perceived by personnel

6. Correlational Studies
These are real “relationship,” “correspondence,” or “association” studies.
Through this kind of study, one can determine how the variations of one variable
go with the other, including the amount or magnitude and the direction of such
variations. Examples are:
a. The relationship between management styles and leadership
dimensions of managers of a hotel
b. The role of personality factors on stress experienced by hotel workers
c. The role of vocational personality on the choice of occupation of
fourth year CHM students

7. Follow – up Studies (Tracer Studies)

This is used when one wants to follow up the development of certain
conditions or particular sets of people. This is sometimes known as a “tracer
study” and is usually employed when one wants to determine where the graduates
or the alumni of certain schools have gone and get current information about them.
Examples are:
a. A follow – up studies of the CHIM graduates from 2010 to 2015
b. A tracer study of HRM graduates of CSU Aparri from 2000 to 2010
 8. Trends and Projection Studies
These are popular for projects that are forward – looking. One kind of
these trend studies is the feasibility study, which data and conditions existing in
the present, and the success of the future is predicted. Trends and projections also
predict behavior of some economic variables, and certain assumptions have to be
made like constancy of factors of predictions or projections. Examples are:
a. Enrollment trends in the College of Hospitality Management from
2000 to 2020
b. Occupational trends in the later part of the new millennium

9. Ex Post Facto Research

This method is distinct deals with the past. It deals with the variables in
retrospect. Ex post facto means “after the fact.” This is also referred to as a
systematic empirical data, only the researcher has no control over the independent
variables, for they have already manifested in the past and by its very nature cannot
be manipulated. Examples are:
a. The effects of having and not having laboratory equipment in CHM
major subjects
b. Performance of hotel sales representatives without fringe benefits

10. Participatory Research

This is used on a massive scale and concerns large populations. Examples
are:
a. Problems of cooperatives of rice farmers in Cagayan
b. The management practices of local dairy farmers in Region 2

11. Documentary Analysis

This involves the gathering of information by analyzing written records
and documents to solve a problem. This involves secondary data. Examples are:
a. Enrollment data as influenced by economic variables
b. Analysis on records taken from hotels
c. Intercorrelation of performance in English, Mathematics and Science
Grades

(3) Historical Method

This method interprets past trends of attitude, event or fact in the light of the
present. Its purpose if to discover generalization that is helpful in understanding the
present, and anticipating the future. This method broadens our experiences and makes us
more understanding and appreciative of our human nature and uniqueness. By knowing
our past, we will know the present condition better. Its purpose is to explain the present or
anticipate the future, based on a systematic collection and evaluation of events or
experiences in the past, always in terms of what can be understood presently. Examples
are:
a. The history of the American occupation
b. Did Jose Rizal recant his religion in favor of Catholicism before he was shot
in Luneta?

The following are the types of historical research:

a. Deliberate. It is deliberate when there is a conscious effort to preserve

information like in diaries and epitaphs, recorded with the aim of
transmitting or passing on information.
b. Incidental. It is incidental when it supplies information that was not
the original intention. This may consist of physical objects or written
materials of historical value which are called relics or remains and are
produced without deliberate aim to impart information.