Descriptive Research

Descriptive research can be explained as a statement of affairs as they are at present with the researcher
having no control over variable. Moreover, “descriptive studies may be characterised as simply the
attempt to determine, describe or identify what is, while analytical research attempts to establish why it is
that way or how it came to be”[1].

Descriptive research is “aimed at casting light on current issues or problems through a process of data
collection that enables them to describe the situation more completely than was possible without
employing this method.”[2]

In its essence, descriptive studies are used to describe various aspects of the phenomenon. In its popular
format, descriptive research is used to describe characteristics and/or behaviour of sample population.

An important characteristic of descriptive research relates to the fact that while descriptive research can
employ a number of variables, only one variable is required to conduct a descriptive study. Three main
purposes of descriptive studies can be explained as describing, explaining and validating research
findings.

Descriptive studies are closely associated with observational studies, but they are not limited
with observation data collection method. Case studies and surveys can also be specified as popular data
collection methods used with descriptive studies.

What is Experimental Research?

Experimental research is a scientific approach to research, where one or more independent variables are
manipulated and applied to one or more dependent variables to measure their effect on the latter. The
effect of the independent variables on the dependent variables is usually observed and recorded over some
time, to aid researchers in drawing a reasonable conclusion regarding the relationship between these 2
variable types.

The experimental research method is widely used in physical and social sciences, psychology, and
education. It is based on the comparison between two or more groups with a straightforward logic, which
may, however, be difficult to execute.

Mostly related to a laboratory test procedure, experimental research designs involve collecting
quantitative data and performing statistical analysis on them during research. Therefore, making it an
example of quantitative research method.