Why descriptive research

Gather research insights. For example, an apparel brand that wants to understand the fashion purchasing trends among New York buyers will conduct a demographic survey of this region, gather population data and then conduct descriptive research on this demographic segment. The term descriptive research then refers to research questions, design of the study, and data analysis conducted on that topic. We call it an observational research method because none of the research study variables are influenced in any capacity.

Some distinctive characteristics of descriptive research are:. A descriptive research method can be used in multiple ways and for various reasons. Before getting into any survey , though, the survey goals and survey design are crucial. Despite following these steps, there is no way to know if one will meet the research outcome. How to use descriptive research? To understand the end objective of research goals, below are some ways organizations currently use descriptive research today:.

Some of the significant advantages of descriptive research are:. There are three distinctive methods to conduct descriptive research. They are:. The observational method is the most effective method to conduct this research, and researchers make use of both quantitative and qualitative observations.

A quantitative observation is the objective collection of data, which is primarily focused on numbers and values. It implies observation of any entity associated with a numeric value such as age, shape, weight, volume, scale, etc.

For example, the researcher can track if current customers will refer the brand using a simple Net Promoter Score question. In this case, the researcher observes the respondents from a distance. Since the respondents are in a comfortable environment, the characteristics observed are natural and effective.

In a descriptive research design, the researcher can choose to be either a complete observer, an observer as a participant, a participant as an observer, or a full participant. This offers a more in-depth insight into the purchasing experience of the customer. Case studies involve in-depth research and study of individuals or groups.

Case studies lead to a hypothesis and widen a further scope of studying a phenomenon. The other reason why case studies are not a reliable way of conducting descriptive research is that there could be an atypical respondent in the survey.

Describing them leads to weak generalizations and moving away from external validity. In survey research, respondents answer through surveys or questionnaires or polls. They are a popular market research tool to collect feedback from respondents. A study to gather useful data should have the right survey questions.

It should be a balanced mix of open-ended questions and close ended-questions. The survey method can be conducted online or offline, making it the go-to option for descriptive research where the sample size is enormous.

Some other problems and research questions that can lead to descriptive research are:. Though you're welcome to continue on your mobile screen, we'd suggest a desktop or notebook experience for optimal results. Survey software Leading survey software to help you turn data into decisions. Instead of gathering a large volume of data to identify patterns across time or location, case studies gather detailed data to identify the characteristics of a narrowly defined subject.

Rather than aiming to describe generalizable facts, case studies often focus on unusual or interesting cases that challenge assumptions, add complexity, or reveal something new about a research problem. Have a language expert improve your writing.

Check your paper for plagiarism in 10 minutes. Do the check. Generate your APA citations for free! APA Citation Generator. Home Knowledge Base Methodology Descriptive research. Descriptive research question examples How has the Amsterdam housing market changed over the past 20 years? Do customers of company X prefer product X or product Y?

What are the main genetic, behavioural and morphological differences between European wildcats and domestic cats? What are the most popular online news sources among unders? How prevalent is disease A in population B? In its essence, descriptive studies are used to describe various aspects of the phenomenon. An important characteristic of descriptive research relates to the fact that while descriptive research can employ a number of variables, only one variable is required to conduct a descriptive study.

Three main purposes of descriptive studies can be explained as describing, explaining and validating research findings.