DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH Correlation Studies
- Determine the extent of the relationship
Descriptive research is used to obtain information concerning between two or more variables
the current status of the phenomena to describe "what exists" Developmental Studies
with respect to variables or conditions in a situation. Developmental studies are concerned with the existing status
Statement of the problem and interrelationships of phenomena and changes that take place
Identification of information needed to solve the problem as a function of time
Selection or development of instruments for gathering the Growth Studies - May be either longitudinal or cross-sectional. The
information longitudinal technique is the most satisfactory for studying human
Identification of target population and determination of sampling development. The cross-sectional technique is more commonly used
procedure because it is less expensive.
Design of procedure for information collection Trend Studies - Used to make predictions from social trends,
Collection of information economic conditions, technological advances, etc. to future status
Analysis of information Model or System Development - Creative development of a model
or system (paradigm) based on a thorough determination of the
Generalizations and/or predictions
present situation or system and the goals sought
Survey Studies
Evaluation
Survey studies assess the characteristics of whole populations Critical Examination of Source Materials - Descriptive studies
of people or situations. cannot produce useful findings if the investigation is based on
School Surveys - Used to gather data concerned with internal or erroneous information
external characteristics of a school system Technical Terminology - An absence of clearly assigned
Job Analysis - Used to gather information to be used in structuring a meanings for terms results in ambiguous communications which
training program for a particular job cannot provide a solid foundation for scientific understanding
Documentary Analysis - Closely akin to historical research; deals Formulation of Hypotheses - Ambiguously formulated
with documenting present situations overgeneralized or logically unsound hypotheses lead to erroneous
Public Opinion Surveys - Used to enhance the decision making conclusions
process by government officials Observation and Experimentation - Experimentation involves
Community Surveys - Used to gather data concerned with internal the manipulation of independent variables under controlled
or external characteristics of a community laboratory conditions and direct observation of the results.
Interrelationship Studies Observing the phenomena as they exist may be the only way to
Interrelationship Studies trace relationships among the facts examine and analyze the factors that are associated with their
obtained to gain a deeper insight into the situation occurrences in a natural situation
Case Studies - Probes in depth into an individual situation or Generalization and Prediction - Universal generalizations that
personality with the intent of diagnosing a particular condition and permit highly accurate predictions may be ideal, but even the
recommending corrective measures physical scientists are less certain today than they once were of
Causal Comparative Studies - Compares the likeness and their ability to predict in certain areas except in terms of scientific
difference among phenomena to determine if certain factors or probability.
circumstances tend to accompany certain events, conditions, or
processes
