Page 26 - DLIS401_METHODOLOGY_OF_RESEARCH_AND_STATISTICAL_TECHNIQUES

Unit 1: Concept of Research

not generally appropriate for studies at this level; it is more appropriate for postgraduate Notes
research.
However, it is possible that you may carry out an initial survey to establish areas of concern
(exploratory research) and then research these issues in more depth, perhaps through interviews,
to provide a deeper understanding (explanatory research).

Descriptive Research
This describes phenomena as they exist. It is used to identify and obtain information on the
characteristics of a particular issue. It may answer such questions as:

• What is the absentee rate amongst a particular group of workers?
• What are the feelings of workers faced with redundancy?
The data collected are often quantitative, and statistical techniques are usually used to summarise
the information. Descriptive research goes further than exploratory research in examining a
problem since it is undertaken to ascertain and describe the characteristics of the issue.
An undergraduate dissertation may include descriptive research, but it is likely that it will
also include one of the following two types (explanatory or predictive) as you are required in
your dissertation to go beyond description and to explain or predict.
Analytical or Explanatory Research
This is a continuation of descriptive research. The researcher goes beyond merely describing
the characteristics, to analyse and explain why or how something is happening. Thus, analytical
research aims to understand phenomena by discovering and measuring causal relations among
them. It may answer questions such as:
• How can the number of complaints made by customers be reduced?
• How can the absentee rate among employees be reduced?

• Why is the introduction of empowerment seen as a threat by departmental managers?
Predictive Research

Predictive research goes further by forecasting the likelihood of a similar situation occurring
elsewhere.
It aims to generalise from the analysis by predicting certain phenomena on the basis of hypothesised,
general relationships. It may attempt to answer questions such as:
• Will the introduction of an employee bonus scheme lead to higher levels of productivity?
• What type of packaging will improve our products?

Predictive research provides ‘how’, ‘why’, and ‘where’ answers to current events as well as to
similar events in the future. It is also helpful in situations where ‘What if?’ questions are being
asked.

Process of Research

There is no consensus about how to conceptualise the actual undertaking of research. There
are, however, two main traditions of approaching a research topic— quantitative and qualitative.
Each approach demands different research methods.
Quantitative Research
The quantitative approach usually starts with a theory or a general statement proposing a
general relationship between variables. With this approach it is likely that the researchers

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