DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH DESIGN || PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2

Summary

This video lesson explains descriptive research design, which focuses on observing and documenting phenomena without intervening. It aims to describe the current status of variables within a specific group, providing insights into what is happening rather than why. Descriptive research is often used as a precursor to quantitative studies, but it has limitations such as the inability to manipulate variables or analyze results statistically. The video provides examples of descriptive research topics and outlines its advantages and disadvantages, emphasizing its role in understanding phenomena before conducting more detailed studies.

Takeaways

• 😀 Descriptive research design aims to describe phenomena or relationships within a single group or sample.
• 😀 The main purpose of descriptive research is to observe, describe, and document aspects of situations as they naturally occur.
• 😀 Descriptive research design does not begin with a hypothesis but instead collects data to describe the subject.
• 😀 It can only answer 'who' and 'what' questions, but not 'why' questions.
• 😀 Examples of descriptive research topics include factors influencing career choices of students and customer perceptions of service.
• 😀 Advantages of descriptive research include observing subjects in a natural environment without influencing their behavior.
• 😀 Descriptive research can serve as a precursor to quantitative research, helping identify variables worth testing.
• 😀 Disadvantages of descriptive research include no manipulation of variables and the inability to statistically analyze results.
• 😀 Observational studies in descriptive research are often regarded as unreliable and unscientific due to a lack of repeatability.
• 😀 Descriptive research can be used to analyze the factors affecting prices in public school canteens, illustrating its practical applications.
• 😀 Descriptive research also explores factors affecting academic performance in working students, focusing on current status and conditions.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of descriptive research design?

The main purpose of descriptive research design is to observe, describe, and document phenomena or relationships within a group or sample as they naturally occur.

Can descriptive research design answer 'why' questions?

No, descriptive research design can only answer 'who' and 'what' questions but cannot answer 'why' questions.

What are the key characteristics of descriptive research design?

Descriptive research design describes the current status of variables, observes subjects without intervention, and typically does not start with a hypothesis.

What are some examples of topics suitable for descriptive research design?

Examples include studying factors influencing career choices of high school students, opinions about research teachers, and customer feedback on business services.

What are the advantages of using descriptive research design?

Advantages include observing subjects in their natural environment, providing insights for future research, and serving as a precursor to quantitative research.

What are some disadvantages of descriptive research design?

Disadvantages include no manipulation of variables, lack of statistical analysis, and the unreliability and unscientific nature of the results.

Can the results of descriptive research studies be replicated?

No, the results of observational studies in descriptive research are often not repeatable and cannot be replicated.

How does descriptive research design help in quantitative research?

Descriptive research helps identify variables worth testing in quantitative research by giving a general overview of the phenomenon being studied.

What is a common method used in descriptive research design to gather data?

A common method is the use of rating scale questions, which help researchers collect the views or feedback of subjects on the variables being studied.

What is an example of a research topic that uses descriptive research design in the context of public schools?

An example would be studying the factors that affect the pricing of merchandise in public school canteens.