DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH

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Dr.Lokanath MishraM.Sc(Math),M.A(Eco),M.Ed,NET,Ph.D,D.Litt

Associate Professor

School of Education

Mizoram University

Descriptive Research2

Quantitative Research Methodologies: Descriptive Research Correlational Research Experimental Research Ex Post Facto Research Survey Research

Descriptive Vs. Experimental Vs. Ex post facto Descriptive (What is the current situation?) Experimental (What is the cause?) Ex post facto (What was the possible cause?)

Descriptive Research3

What is the Descriptive Research? This type of research involves either identifying the

characteristics of an observed phenomenon or exploring possible correlations among two or more. It primarily concerned with finding out “what is”, solving the problems through the interoperation of the data that has been gathered, (answering the questions who, what, where, when and how...)

Descriptive“ what is the current situation?” Numerical data gathered through tests, surveys, observations,

interviews variables are not manipulated but are measured as they occur Subgroups may be compared on some measure Two or more variables of a group may be correlated Doesn’t attempt to identify cause of differences or relationships,

just if they exist

Descriptive Research

is the most widely-used research design as indicated by the theses, dissertations and research reports of institutions. Its common means of obtaining information include the use of the questionnaire, personal interviews with the aid of study guide or interview schedule, and observation, either participatory or not.

includes studies that purport to present facts concerning the nature and status of anything. This means that descriptive research gives meaning to the quality and standing of facts that are going on. For instance, the information about a group of person, a number of objects, a set of conditions, a class of events, a system of thoughts or any other kind of phenomenon or experience which one may wish to study. 

fact-finding with adequate interpretation. The descriptive method is something more and beyond just data-gathering; latter is not reflective thinking nor research. The true meaning of data collected should be reported from the point of view of the objectives and the basic assumption of the project under way. Facts obtained may be accurate expressions of central tendency, or deviation, or correlation; but the report is not research unless discussion of those data is not carried up to the level of adequate interpretation. Data must be subjected to the thinking process in terms of ordered reasoning.

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Descriptive Research5

What the Descriptive Research can be used for? Descriptive studies have an important role in social science

research, such as business, government, public health, sociology and education research.

Can be applied to investigate questions such as: Do teachers hold favorable attitudes toward using computers

in schools? What kinds of activities that involve technology occur in

sixth-grade classrooms and how frequently do they occur? How have high school computing courses changed over the

last 10 years? Is there a relationship between experience with multimedia

computers and problem-solving skills? What is the best way to provide access to computer

equipment in schools?

Overview of Descriptive Research

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Focused towards the present Gathering information and describing the

current situation May or may not involve hypothesis testing

Answers the question “What is?” Many types of research fall within this

classification

Nature of Descriptive Research Descriptive research is designed for the investigator to

gather information about present existing conditions. Descriptive research involves collection of data in order to test the hypothesis or to answer questions concerning the current status of the subject of the study.Descriptive study determines and reports the way things are. It has no control over what is, and it can only measure what already exist.Descriptive research has been criticized for its inability to control variables, for more frequently yielding only descriptive rather than predictive, findings.

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Aims of Descriptive Research

The principal aims in employing descriptive research are to describe the nature of a situation as it exists at the time of the study and to explore the causes of particular phenomena. (Travers, 1978)Descriptive Research seeks to tell “what exists” or “what is” about a certain educational phenomenon. Accurate observations and assessments arise from data that ascertain the nature and incidence of prevailing conditions, practices or description of object, process, and person who are all objects of the study. contribute in the formation of principles and generalization in behavioural sciencescontribute in the establishment of standard norms of conduct, behaviour, or performance.reveal problems or abnormal conditions ;make possible prediction of future on the basis of findings on prevailing conditions, corrections, and on the basis of reactions of people toward certain issues;give better and deeper understanding of phenomenon on the basis of an in-depth study of the phenomenon. provide basis for decision-making.

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Types of Descriptive Research

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Survey Developmental

Longitudinal approach Cross-sectional approach

Case Study Co relational Normative Observational Action Causal-comparative

The basic steps of descriptive research

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An orderly scientific and disciplined process, involving:

recognizing and identifying a topic to be studied

selecting an appropriate sample of participants

collecting valid and reliable data reporting conclusions

Importance of Descriptive Research

For scientific basis of judgement. This means that descriptive research provides information which could be used as basis for important decisions that are to be made.For a closer look into happenings, behaviour, practice, methods and procedures. Descriptive research provides essential facts and understanding about the nature of anything. For the formation of construction of test analysis of these standardization of tools instruments used in research.

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DR design & Analysis12

1. Descriptive Research Designs Observation Studies Correlational Research Developmental Designs Survey Research

2. Using Checklists and Rating scales

3. Choosing a Sample in a Descriptive Study Sampling design Bias in Research sampling

4. Interpreting Data in Descriptive Research

DR design & Analysis13

1. Descriptive Research Designs – Observation Studies In qualitative research: record in great detail In quantitative research: focus on a particular aspect of

behavior, and try to be as objective as possible Many strategies to maintain “objective”:

a) define behavior in a precise, concrete manner

b) divide the observation period into small segments…

c) use a rating scale to evaluate behavior

d) Have two/three people rate the same behavior Independently

e) Train the raters

Ultimately, an observational study can yield data that portray much of the richness and complexity of human behavior.