Research is a creative and structured work undertaken to increase the goods of knowledge. It involves the methods for collection, analysis, and organization of information to increase understanding of a topic or issue. In the field, a research project may expand past work.
Research efforts are distinguished on the basis of their different purposes and approaches and that is what may scientifically be called difference in methods.
Types of Research
Types of research are classified as:
Historical research
Descriptive research
Experimental research
Historical research
The use of historical sources and techniques in educational research is a historical research method. On the basis of the experiences of the past, historical research justifies itself when used to find out the solutions to present-day problems.
Read: Various steps in the scientific method used in the research process
Qualities of historical research:
It is based on descriptions of observations which cannot be repeated.
It is responsible to be subjective.
In history, the logical methods of analysis and deduction is enunciated.
Importance of historical research:
It inspires respect for sound scholarship and admiration for great teachers.
The history of education enables the educational worker to date craze and ruffle.
The history of education enables the educational worker to compete with present educational problems considering their origin and growth.
Descriptive Research
This type of research is also called normative survey research. It concerns itself with the situation in terms of conditions, practices, beliefs, processes, relationships, or trends and is variously entitled as a descriptive survey – status, normative or trend study, or survey.
Qualities of descriptive research:
It is concerned not with the characteristics, of individuals but with characteristics of the whole population or a sample.
Data from a relatively large number of subjects is collected by this research.
It has a very vast scope.
Importance of descriptive research:
This type of research helps in searching existing problems, securing historical viewpoints through a series of cross-sectional pictures of similar conditions at different times, in suggesting the syllabus of future developments.
Descriptive research methods help in developing many tools, contributing to the development of knowledge, and providing the background ideas and data from which many more studies may be managed.
Experimental Research
Experimental research is defined as the explanation and analysis of what will be or what will occur, under carefully controlled conditions. It includes a hypothesis, a variable that can be operated by the researcher, and variables that can be measured, calculated, and compared.
Qualities of experimental research:
Independent variable manipulated by the researchers.
Experimental research enables researchers to go beyond description, and divination and attempt to determine what caused effects.
The nature and extent of the treatment decided by the experimental research.
Importance of experimental research:
Capability for careful manipulation of the variables of interest.
Data is usually free from prejudice or subjective elucidation.
Establishment of cause and effect relations.
Precise control of irrelevant and independent variables is allowed by the experimental research
Purpose of research
There are many purposes of research. These include the following:
1. Self-dissatisfaction: The teacher feels dissatisfied with the condition.
1. Identification of the problem: The teacher pinpoints the problem.
2. Defining the problem: After recognizing the problem, the teacher defines the problem
3. Problem analysis: The teacher then locates the causes of the weakness.
5. Action hypothesis: Here Action hypothesis is formed
6. Use of tools: The teacher decides about the research tools to be used.
7. Action program: The teacher works out the research.
8. Evaluation: The teacher finds out the difference in the result.
Advantages of Research
The Research has the following advantages.
Evidence and Facts are stressed which keep the changed process attached more continuously to reality.
The approach is experimental and timid rather than rigid.
Act research emphasizes a desirable decentralization of decision-making and action
An essential part of action research is the experiment which in point of fact is changed and evaluated.
The main functions of research in the field of distance education are:
Action research will rapidly and powerfully develop the technique of teaching.
Action research contributes to dignifying and stimulating the work of the teacher.
Action research assists in developing professional experiences, and open-eyed and open-minded scientific spirit inquiry.
Action research assists in creating new interest and new confidence in the ability of the individual teacher.
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