Understanding of Research Methods
Understanding Research Methods
The research method is a scientific way to obtain valid data with the aim to be found, developed, or proven, a certain knowledge so that in turn it can be used to understand, solve, and anticipate problems in a particular field. The types of research methods can be grouped according to their fields, objectives, methods, level of explanation, and time. According to the field, research can be divided into academic, professional and institutional research. In terms of objectives, research can be divided into pure and applied research.
In terms of research methods, it can be divided into survey research, expofacto research, experimentation, naturalism, policy research, evaluation research, action research, history, and research and development. From the level of expalanation it can be divided into descriptive, comparative and associative research. In terms of time, it can be divided into cross sectional and longitudinal studies. Below will be described types of research methods according to the purpose, method, and level of explanation.
Types of Research Methods
Research by Purpose:
Pure Research
Pure research is research conducted or directed simply to understand organizational problems in depth and the results of these studies for the development of administrative or management science. Jujun S. Suriasumantri (1985) stated that research aimed at discovering new knowledge that had never before been known.
Applied Research
Applied Research is research directed to obtain information that can be used to solve problems. Gay (1977) states that it is difficult to distinguish between pure (basic) and applied research separately, because the two lie on a continuum line. Basic research aims to develop theories and not pay attention to practical uses which are practical.
Basic research is generally carried out in laboratories whose conditions are tight and controlled. Applied research is carried out with the aim of applying, testing, and evaluating the ability of a theory to be applied in solving practical problems. So basic research is pleased with the discovery and development of science. After the knowledge is used to solve problems, the research will become applied research.
Research by Method:
Survey Research
Survey research is research conducted on large and small populations, but the data studied is data from samples taken from these populations, so that relative events, distribution, and relationships between variables are found.
Example: research to reveal the tendency of people to choose national and regional leaders, the quality of Indonesian human resources.
Ex Post Facto Research
Ex post facto research is a study conducted to examine the events that have occurred and then trace back to find out the factors that can cause these events.
Example: research to expose the causes of building fires in a government institution, research to reveal the causes of riots in an area.
Experimental Research
Experimental Research is a study that seeks to find the effect of certain variables on other variables under tightly controlled conditions.
Example: research on the application of new work methods to work productivity, research on the effect of three-passenger cars on traffic jams on the road.
Naturalistic Research
Naturalistic research is often also called a qualitative method which is a research method used to examine the condition of natural objects.
Example: research to deny the meaning of ritual ceremonies from certain groups of people, research to find factors that cause corruption.
Policy Research
Policy research is a research process that is carried out on, or analysis of, fundamental social problems, so that its findings can be recommended to decision makers to act in solving problems.
Example: research to make laws or regulations, research for the development of organizational structures.
Action Research
Action research is research that aims to develop the most efficient work methods, so that production costs can be reduced and the productivity of institutions can increase.
Example: research to improve work procedures and methods in community service, research looking for good teaching methods.
Evaluation Research
Evaluation research is research that serves to explain the phenomenon of an event, activity and product.
Example: research the process of implementing a regulation or policy, research on family planning.
Historical Research
Historical research is research that deals with a logical analysis of events that took place in the past.
Example: research to find out when the establishment of a particular city that can be used to determine birthdays, research to find out the development of civilization of certain groups of people.
Associative Research
Associative research is research that aims to determine the relationship of two or more variables.
Research by Exploration Level:
Descriptive Research
Descriptive research is research conducted to determine the value of an independent variable, either one or more variables (independent) without making comparisons, or connecting between variables with one another.
Example: research that attempts to answer how the profile of the Indonesian president, how the work ethic and work performance of employees in a department.
Comparative Research
Comparative research is a study that compares things.
Example: is there a difference in the profile of the Indonesian president from time to time, is there a difference in work skills between SMK graduates and high school graduates.