Descriptive Research
Descriptive research examines "what is". It concerns beliefs, perceptions, practices, and conditions that prevail. It may also describe processes going on, effects being felt, or trends that are evident.
There are many subcategories within this type of design. Examples include:
Case Studies--examine a range of behaviors of individuals or units in depth.
Trend Studies--examine the rate and direction of changes in individuals or conditions over time.
Documentary Analyses--examine information gathered from records and documents.
Surveys--instruments for gather information about existing conditions.
Developmental Studies--examine the same individuals or groups over long periods of time (longitudinal) or subject at various age levels at the same point in time (cross-sectional).
Correlational Studies--
examine the extent of relationships between variables.
These types of studies are noncausal and are not subject to hypothesis testing. Generally, scientists pose research questions that are answered by their studies. The results often serve as a basis for decision making.
Examples of Studies:
A procedure for identifying precursors to problem behavior
A descriptive study of four elderly triathletes
How would we know if psychotherapy were harmful?
Cognitive pathways: Analysis of students' written texts for science understanding
Longitudinal study of aerobic power in superior junior athletes
Special education teachers' perceptions of the causes of burnout
Data analyses generally involve descriptive statistics, such as percentages,
measures of central tendency,
measures of variability,
and qualitative analysis.
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