Types of Research

Types of Research
Types of Research
• research cane be classified by method or by purpose
• there are different types of research depending on whether research
has been classified by purpose or by method
• Classification by method produces designs of research.
• The classification by purpose produces five main types of research:
1. Basic
2. Applied
3. Participatory action research (PAR)
4. Research and development (R & D)
5. Operations research (OP).
1. Basic Research
• Basic research (also known as fundamental
or pure research) is found mostly in the
field of pure sciences.
• Basic research is conducted purely for the
purpose of theory development and
refinement for the sake of science
• It seeks only to discover basic truth and
principles.
• Although basic research yields findings that
2. Applied Research
• Applied research is designed to improve process or progress by
carrying the findings of basic research to a point at which they can
be applied to meet specific needs through testing theoretical
concepts in actual problem situations.
• Applied research is conducted to apply or test theory and evaluate
their usefulness in solving problems.
• Applied research includes most of the features of basic research, but
differs from it in terms of its goals.
• Whereas basic research is not focused on immediate application of
findings, applied research is directed towards practical application
of scientific knowledge and to obtain solutions to specific problems
Action Research
• Action research or more specifically, participatory action
research (PAR) is concerned with development of
immediate solutions to concrete local problems in local
settings
• The primary purpose of action research is generation of
solutions to given societal problems, but not necessarily
contribution to science.
• For example, a lot of research funded by UN agencis is
participatory action research, but at the conclusion of each
project, dissemination and replication of experiences and
findings begin.
• The major elements of participatory action
research are collaborative assessment,
collaborative action, and collaborative
analysis and reflection, are related as shown
in Figure
The role of a researcher in participatory action research is basically catalytic or facilitatory. The
researcher merely makes people aware of their circumstances by sparking interest, prompting
discussions, and building their skills, but he or she is not an authority in the knowledge of the
problem
EXAMPLE
• Procedure
1. The Startup/Beginnings
• Activities
• Outcomes
2. Participatory Diagnosis
• Agreeing on Issues
• Activities
• How to Conduct the PD Activity
• Why PD?
• Planning for a PD
Activities
• Meet with participate officials; sensitize and
bring them on board;
• Profile the study area
• Select key informants (women, youth,
disabled or disadvantaged groups, etc…) to
participate in the participatory diagnosis
and schedule for the group discussions;
• Select a local facilitator;
• Select participants for the site walk
Outcomes
• The study area profiled;

• A local facilitator and the target groups for
PD selected;
• Convenient time and procedures for the
group discussion agreed.
Example
• Introduction and Familiarization:
I. purpose clarifications
II. Expectations of the participants.
III. Expectations of the PD. iii.
IV. What can be done?
V. Common expectations.
VI.What will be done. The objectives of the
PD.
Philosophy of Participatory
Action Research
• Participatory action research is guided by three basic principles. That:
1. Human behavior is dynamic that it is subject to change and
adaptation hence it is best understood in context
2. Local people have the ability and are in the best position to assess
their situations, gather and analyze relevant data, reflect on the results
and create and implement action plans to improve the situation.
• In-depth participatory work in a few communities may provide
insight for other communities, policy makers and program managers.
• Hence there is no need for large generalistic studies. Rather what is
needed are several specifically focused studies for particular problems
that provide insight into what may happen in other areas.
Characteristics of Participatory
Action Research
• Participatory action research has some main
elements that set it apart from other types of
research
• active participants
• The results are easily understood and
immediately disseminated
• The researcher is merely a facilitator
Strengths of Participatory
Action Research
• Ownership of the product.

• Effective Implementation
• Empowerment.
Weaknesses of Participatory
Action Research
• Action research does not meet the full

criteria of scientific research
• Low generalizability of participatory action
research results
Research and Development
(R&D)
• Research and development is a branch of research concerned with the
development of effective programs for use in the market rather with
formulation or testing of theories.
• In research and development, both the problem and the model solution
exist and the role of the researcher is to produce that solution to the
specification of the intended consumer
• So research and development is conducted when a user knows what he or
she wants but cannot produce or manufacture that product by himself or
herself.
• A researcher is then contracted to produce that exact model according to
detailed instructions
• Example. The pharmaceutical industry highly depends on high-level
research and development.
Operations Research
Session Objectives:
E To describe the need and importance of
Operations Research for rationale decision
making in health care delivery
E To discuss the basic Operations Research
concepts and techniques for solving particular
problem and identification of appropriate
solution
E To develop a research proposal using the general
Delivery of health care
-Primary care
-Secondary care Economic support
Management -Tertiary care -Public sources of
finance
-Leadership Organized arrangement of -Employers
-Decision-making resources -Organized volun-
-National health authorities
-planning tary agencies
-Health insurance programmes
-implementation -Other governmental agencies -Local community
-monitoring and -Non-governmental agencies efforts
evaluation -Independent private sector -Foreign Aid
-information -Private households
Regulation Development of health resource -Other
-Manpower
-Facilities
-Equipment and supplies
-Knowledge
Operations Research
Operations Research is the

application of analytical methods
designed to help the decision
makers choose between various
courses of action available to
accomplish specified objectives
Operations Research - Methodology
Operations
Research
Problem Solution
Analysis Development
Solution
Validation
Evaluation Implementation
Operations Research Approach
• Phase -I PROBLEM ANALYSIS
– Define the Operations Research

– Analyze the problem and divide into
smaller units
– Establish research priorities
• Phase-II SOLUTION DEVELOPMENT
– Specify solution objectives

– Specify decision variables and stipulate
constraints on the solution
– Identify or construct an appropriate
model for solution development
– Determine and obtain required data
– Develop solutions using analytical model
• Phase-III SOLUTION VALIDATION
– Design field test

– Implement field test
– Evaluate the propose solution
– modify if necessary
– Integrate the solution with the larger system
Phase -I, Problem Analysis
1. Define the operational problem
 Discussion of problem with all stake-

holders
 Identifying subsystems
 Develop objectives for subsystems
 obtaining consensus on objectives of the
subsystem
2. Analyze the problem and divide into smaller units
Operational problem is analyzed in
detail.
The problem is broken into smaller
units.
This is presented graphically.
The graph shows inputs, outputs
3. Establishing Research Priorities
First look at the system as a whole

and then as a cluster of major
subsystems.
Then ask where one should expect
modifications to produce the greatest
positive impact on outputs.
Phase -II, Solution Development
1. Specify solution objectives
Solution objectives are statements of the

desired solutions to the operational
problem.
These are usually stated in terms of
system efficiency that is conservation of
inputs and maximization of outputs.
Fixed inputs with maximum outputs.
Minimum inputs with maximum
outputs.
2. Specify decision variables and stipulate
constraints on the solution
• Decision variables are factors that both play a role

in determining how a system functions and are also
within the control of the system manager.
• Amount of ORS packets
• Training methods
• Factors that limit the the practical range of one or
more decision variables are called constraints.
• Socio-economic, ethnicity, occupation,
educational level, weather, terrain
3. Identify or construct an appropriate
model for solution development
Model building is the essence of the

operations research
A model is the simplified representation
of the real world
Resource allocation
Networking
Cost-analysis
Phase-III SOLUTION VALIDATION
1. Design field test
How believable are the outcome of

the field test.
Experimental
Non-experimental
Quasi-experimental
2. Implementing the field test
• Determination of requisite resources

• Development of management scheme
• Development of training material
• Arrangements of obtaining human and
other resources needed
• Design of an information system
3. Evaluating,modifying and integrating
the solutions
• Continuous assessment to ensure

refinements of inputs
• Integrating the solution within the system

An Example………………...
 TB control Program.
 High defaulter rate among TB
patients.
 How to assess the situation?

Types of Research

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Types of Research

• The study area profiled;

• Ownership of the product.

• Action research does not meet the full

Operations Research is the

• Phase -I PROBLEM ANALYSIS

– Define the Operations Research

– Specify solution objectives

• Phase-III SOLUTION VALIDATION

– Design field test

 Discussion of problem with all stake-

Operational problem is analyzed in

First look at the system as a whole

Solution objectives are statements of the

• Decision variables are factors that both play a role

Model building is the essence of the

How believable are the outcome of

• Determination of requisite resources

• Continuous assessment to ensure

• Integrating the solution within the system

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