What is Research?

Types of research

Primary Research (systematic)

- research that is developed and collected for a specific end use, usually generated to help solve a specific problem

- research that involves the collection of data that doesn't exist yet 

- knowledge, generation of 'stuff'

secondary research

- reading, finding a source of information, data, something that exists already

- the analysis of research that has been collected at an earlier time (for reasons unrelated to the current project)

Secondary Research

- Published or recorded date that has been collected for some purpose other than the current study
- The analysis of research that has been collected at an earlier time (for reasons unrelated to the current project)


Qualitative Research

- Explores and tries to understand people's beliefs, experiences, attitudes, behaviour and interactions
- non-numerical date
- in depth interviews, focus groups, documentary analysis and participant observation 
- a way to study people or systems by interacting with and observing the subjects regularly
- can describe events and people without the use of numerical data

Quantitative Research

 - facts, measurements, quantities, percentages

- analysis and interpretation of the relationships across this data that gives the information researches are looking for

- surveys, research that is objective and relies on statistical analysis 

qualitative research

- in depth interviews, detailed responses rather than a numerical answer

- attitudes, behaviour, interaction

What is information

- the result of processing, manipulating and organising data in a way that adds to the knowledge of the person receiving it 

- processing the data that you have researched so that you can understand the date clearly

- process of clarifying and creating meaning 

This is information that I will be able to apply when carrying out research for my essay and practical work. I will also be able to use the appropriate key terms to title and explain what I am researching. I already have an understanding of the types of research from my Psychology A-Level studies however this has been an important recap so that the information remains fresh and therefore applicable to my work.