Answer to Question #316631 in Psychology for Thando

Question

Explain this four main types of Quantitative research: Descriptive, Correlational, Causal-Comparative/Quasi-Experimental, and Experimental Research.

Answer 1

1.Descriptive research.

Descriptive research design is a type of research design that aims to obtain information to systematically describe a phenomenon, situation, or population. More specifically, it helps answer the what, when, where, and how questions regarding the research problem, rather than the why. Descriptive research uses surveys to gather data about varying subjects. This data aims to know the extent to which different conditions can be obtained among these subjects. For example, a researcher wants to determine the qualification of employed professionals in Maryland.

2. Correlational Research.

As the name implies, this form of research takes two or more variables and examines how they correlate with one another. Two or more groups are used to observe the variables and their effects without interfering with those variables. The goal of correlative research is to find out how certain variables may predict other variables and their potential relationships.

It’s important to note that correlational relationships do not equate to causal relationships that is cause and effect.

3. Causal-Comparative Research.

In causal-comparative research, the goal is to discover a cause and effect relationship between two variables (one dependent and one independent). The researcher has no control over the independent variable and thus any relationship between the two variables may be suggestive at best. This method of research is based on Mill’s Methods of Agreement and Disagreement (two of the five methods introduced by philosopher John Stuart Mill).

4. Experimental Research

This method is essentially the scientific method you learned in school. It takes one or more hypotheses and test them to reach a true/false/inconclusive result. It often uses probability in its final results. One of the most basic (and famous) examples of experimental research was on whether a rock and feather would hit the ground at the same time when dropped at the same time from the same height. While it’s easy to conclude the rock would fall first, understanding why this occurs is important.