Types of Research (With Definitions and Examples)

Not all research serves the same purpose—some studies are designed to analyze existing information, while others aim to explore new ideas, solve practical problems, or test theories.

But despite that, many academicians, professionals, and students struggle to identify which research approach fits their objectives. As a result, choosing the wrong type of research leads them to inaccurate findings, wasted resources, and conclusions that fail to answer the original question. 

For this reason, it is essential to understand the different types of research first. And that’s where we will help you out.

In this blog post, we’ll break down the major types of research, explain what each one means, and provide practical examples to help you determine when and how they are used. So, without further ado, let’s delve in.

1) Basic Research

Let’s start with basic research.

This type of research is all about expanding knowledge. In other words, researchers study a topic simply to understand it better—not necessarily to solve a specific problem right away.

Now, that doesn’t mean basic research isn’t useful. In fact, many of today’s biggest innovations started as basic research projects years ago.

Here’s an example to help you better understand the concept of basic research:

Scientists studying how the human brain stores memories are conducting basic research because their goal is to understand a concept rather than create a product or treatment.

2) Applied Research

Unlike basic research, applied research focuses on solving real-world problems.

Here, researchers don’t just ask:

How does this work?

They also ask:

How can we use this knowledge to improve something?

And that’s why applied research is common in fields like business, education, engineering, and healthcare.

Take a look at the following example to better understand the concept of applied research:

Developing a new medicine to treat a disease is a classic example of applied research because the findings are intended for practical use.

3) Quantitative Research

If a study revolves around measurable data, numbers, and statistics, then there is a good chance that it is quantitative research.

Researchers use this approach when they want objective results that can be analyzed mathematically. As a result, experiments, large datasets, and surveys are often involved in this.

Here is an example to help you better understand the concept of quantitative research:

A company surveying thousands of customers to measure satisfaction levels and purchasing habits is conducting quantitative research.

4) Qualitative Research

Numbers can tell you what is happening. But they don’t always explain why it’s happening. And that’s where qualitative research comes in.

Instead of collecting numerical data, researchers focus on behaviors, emotions, experiences, and opinions here. This helps them gain deeper insights into a particular topic.

Take a look at the following example to better understand the concept of qualitative research:

Interviewing employees to understand how they feel about workplace culture is a form of qualitative research. 

5) Mixed-Methods Research

Sometimes, numbers alone are not enough. And sometimes, opinions alone don’t tell the full story. So, this is exactly why researchers use mixed-methods research.

As the name suggests, it combines quantitative and qualitative methods within a single study. And this allows researchers to collect both statistical data and human insights.

Here is an example that will help you better understand the concept of mixed-methods research:

A researcher may analyze student test scores and then interview students to understand the reasons behind those results.

6) Descriptive Research

Descriptive research focuses on one simple question:

What is happening?

So, the goal here is to observe, record, and describe a situation without trying to explain why it exists. In fact, because of this, descriptive research is often used to identify characteristics, patterns, and trends.

Here is an example to better understand the concept of descriptive research:

A study examining the age, income, and education levels of social media users is descriptive research.

7) Exploratory Research

Not every topic has a mountain of existing information behind it. So, when researchers encounter a new or poorly understood subject, they often start with exploratory research.

The purpose here is to gather initial insights and identify potential directions for future studies. Think of it as the first step before deeper research begins.

Take a look at the following example to better understand the concept of exploratory research:

Investigating the potential impact of a newly emerging technology before substantial data exists is exploratory research.

8) Explanatory Research

Once researchers understand what is happening, the next question becomes:

Why is it happening?

And that’s where explanatory research becomes important.

This type of research aims to uncover the causes behind a phenomenon and identify the relationships between different variables. Here is an example that better clarifies this concept:

Studying whether employee training programs directly improve productivity is an example of explanatory research.

9) Experimental Research

When it comes to proving cause and effect, experimental research is often considered the gold standard. That’s because researchers intentionally manipulate one variable while controlling other factors to observe the outcome. And this makes it easier to determine whether a specific change produced a particular result.

Here is an example that will help you better understand the concept of experimental research:

Testing a new drug on one group of participants while another group receives a placebo is experimental research.

10) Correlational Research

Correlational research examines whether two variables are related. However, there is an important distinction here:

Correlation does not automatically mean causation.

So, just because two things occur together doesn’t necessarily mean one causes the other.

Take a look at the following example to better understand the concept of correlational research:

A study finding that students who spend more time studying often achieve higher grades is correlational research. The relationship exists, but the study cannot prove that study time alone caused the improvement.

11) Historical Research

As the name suggests, historical research focuses on the past. So, researchers analyze archives, documents, records, and other historical sources to understand how previous events have influenced the present.

This approach helps uncover valuable lessons that can still be relevant today. So, here is an example that will help you better clarify the concept of this type of research:

Examining records from a past economic crisis to understand its causes and consequences is historical research.

12) Case Study Research

Sometimes, researchers don’t need to study thousands of people or organizations. Instead, they focus on one specific case and analyze it in depth. And this approach is known as case study research.

The goal here is to gain detailed insights that may not be possible through broader research methods. Here is an example to better understand the concept of case study research:

Analyzing how a company recovered from bankruptcy is a case study because the research focuses on a single organization.

13) Action Research

Action research is one of the most practical forms of research. That’s because instead of simply studying a problem, researchers actively work to solve it while simultaneously collecting data and evaluating results.

And because of this, action research is especially popular among community leaders, healthcare professionals, managers, and teachers.

Take a look at the following example to better understand this research type:

A teacher testing a new classroom strategy and measuring its impact on student engagement is conducting action research.

14) Evaluation Research

Organizations launch programs, policies, and initiatives all the time. But how do they know whether those efforts actually work?

The answer is evaluation research.

This type of research measures the effectiveness and impact of a particular program or initiative. The findings help organizations make better decisions and improve future outcomes.

Here is an example that will help you better understand the concept of evaluation research:

Assessing whether a public health campaign successfully increased vaccination rates is an example of evaluation research.

Parting Thoughts — Concluding Remarks

To sum up, understanding the different types of research is essential for selecting the right approach to any investigation, project, or study. And as we’ve discussed, each research method serves a unique purpose—some help explore new ideas, others explain relationships, while some focus on solving real-world problems. So, the key is to match your research objectives with the most appropriate method. Doing so can improve the accuracy of your findings, save valuable time and resources, and help you draw more meaningful conclusions.