Descriptive Research: An Overview
Descriptive research is a type of scientific research that is focused on describing the characteristics of a particular group or phenomenon. It is a popular research approach used in many disciplines, including psychology, sociology, education, and public health. This article provides an overview of descriptive research, including the definition, purpose, and data analysis methods used.
Definition
Descriptive research can be defined as an observational method of gathering data in a systematic way and then analyzing it to draw conclusions. It does not involve the manipulation of variables or the use of random assignment techniques. Instead, its purpose is to observe, describe, and report on the characteristics of a given population or phenomenon. It is often conducted through surveys, interviews, or case studies.
Purpose
The purpose of descriptive research is to provide an accurate and detailed description of a particular population or phenomenon. It is used to gain an understanding of the characteristics of a given population or phenomenon and to identify patterns or trends. Descriptive research can be used to answer questions such as “What is the prevalence of a certain behavior?” or “What are the characteristics of a particular group of people?”
Data Analysis
Descriptive research relies heavily on quantitative methods, such as surveys, interviews, and observational studies. The data collected is then analyzed using descriptive statistics, which are used to summarize the data and draw conclusions. Commonly used descriptive statistics include measures of central tendency (e.g., mean, median, and mode) and measures of dispersion (e.g., standard deviation and range).
Conclusion
Descriptive research is a popular research approach used in many disciplines to gain an understanding of a particular population or phenomenon. It is used to observe, describe, and report on the characteristics of a given population or phenomenon. Descriptive research relies heavily on quantitative methods, such as surveys, interviews, and observational studies, and on the analysis of descriptive statistics to summarize the data and draw conclusions.
References
Babbie, E. (2016). The practice of social research. Cengage Learning.
Becker, H. S. (1998). Tricks of the trade: How to think about your research while you’re doing it. University of Chicago Press.
Trochim, W. M. (2006). Descriptive research. Research methods knowledge base (2nd ed.). Atomic Dog Publishing.