research design can be categorized into qualitative or quantitative. Qualitative research design determines relationships between collected data and observation based on mathematical calculations. Quantitative research design on the other hand, basing on statistical conclusions to collect actionable insights. Numbers provide a better perspective to make critical business decisions.
In general, research design can be categorized into five categories:
- Descriptive research design: In a descriptive design, a researcher is solely interested in describing the situation or case under their research study. It is a theory-based design method which is created by gathering, analyzing and presenting collected data.
- Experimental research design: Experimental design establishes a relationship between the cause and effect of a situation. It is a causal design where one observes the impact caused by the independent variable on the dependent variable.
- Correlational research design: Correlational research design is a non-experimental research technique that helps researchers establish a relationship between two closely connected variables.
- Diagnostic research design: In diagnostic design, the researcher is looking to evaluate the underlying cause of a specific topic or phenomenon. This method helps one learn more about the factors that create troublesome situations.
- Explanatory research design: Explanatory design uses a researcher’s ideas and thoughts on a subject to further explore their theories. The research explains unexplored aspects of a subject and details about what, how, and why of research questions.
