Descriptive studies focus on describing the process and impact of eHealth system development and implementation, which often are contextualized within the implementation environment (e. Explore various examples and the types of descriptive research design from Harappa and learn to analyze the characteristics of a phenomenon, situation or population. While both are instrumental in various fields of study such as human behavior, health, psychology, and social sciences, they differ significantly in their approach, methodology Attribute Case Study Descriptive Approach to Research; Research Design: Qualitative: Quantitative or Qualitative: Purpose: To explore a specific case or phenomenon in-depth Descriptive research is a study of status and is widely used in education, nutrition, epidemiology, and the behavioral sciences. We call it an observational research method because none of the research study variables are influenced in any capacity. 3. Descriptive research design uses a range of both qualitative research and quantitative data (although quantitative research is the primary research method) to gather information to make accurate predictions about a particular problem or hypothesis. Descriptive research is distinct from correlational research , in which researchers formally test whether a relationship exists between two or more variables. Learn about the data collection methods of descriptive research. Unlike in case–control studies (participants selected based on the outcome status) or cohort studies (participants selected based on the exposure status), the participants in a cross-sectional study are just selected based on the inclusion and exclusion Jul 17, 2024 · A research design is the overall plan for answering research questions and hypotheses. Descriptive research vs experimental research: Descriptive research gathers data without controlling any variables, while experimental research manipulates and controls variables to determine cause and effect. This is a special type of interventional study design, in which study participants intentionally “crossover” to the other intervention arm. Study design selection is influenced by factors such as objectives, therapeutic area, treatment Oct 17, 2021 · Descriptive research accurately describes a research problem without asking why a particular event happened. How is descriptive design research different from experimental research? Descriptive design research focuses on analyzing a particular Nov 21, 2023 · Ex post facto design, also known as "after-the-fact" research, is defined as a research method that looks into how an independent variable (groups with certain qualities that already exist prior Dec 18, 2019 · These real-world examples demonstrate the flexibility of a qualitative descriptive design, while highlighting the implications of these studies for policy, practice and future research. Experimental research design should be used when a researcher wants to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between variables. and L. A closed-captioned version of this video is available here . His base of classification relies on the purpose of the research area as Case studies and surveys can also be specified as popular data collection methods used with descriptive studies. g. See examples of descriptive research in different fields and situations. Describes specific characteristics in a population of interest; The most common forms are case reports and case series Nov 2, 2023 · Descriptive design as an acceptable research design for dissertation and other robust scholarly research has received varying degrees of acceptance within the academic community. More specifically, it helps answer the what, when, where, and how questions regarding the research problem rather than the why. . Jan 23, 2020 · Learn what descriptive research is, how it differs from other types of research, and what methods are used to collect and analyze data. Nov 10, 2021 · Following the famous Cambridge Dictionary, we define a design as “a drawing or set of drawings showing how a building or product is to be made and how it will work and look” or more broadly “a plan or specification for the construction of an object or system or for implementing an activity or process, or the result or specification as a prototype, product or process” (Cambridge n. Find out the common methods of descriptive research, such as surveys, observations and case studies. A descriptive approach to a case study is akin to a biography of a person, honing in on the experiences of a small group to extrapolate to larger themes. Qualitative descriptive approaches to nursing and healthcare research provide a broad insight into particular phenomena and can be used in a variety of ways including as a standalone research design, as a precursor to larger qualitative studies and commonly as the qualitative component in mixed-methods studies. seeks to describe the current status of an identified variable. Feb 11, 2020 · A descriptive research design was used in this study. An Example of Using Descriptive Analysis to Evaluate Plausible Causes and Generate Hypotheses 4 Box 4. An Example of Using Descriptive Analysis to Interpret Causal Research 5 Box 5. Feb 6, 2023 · Learn what descriptive research is, how it differs from experimental research, and what methods and types are used to conduct it. Author Affiliation: Senior Nurse Scientist and Clinical Nurse Specialist, Office of Nursing Research & Innovation, Nursing Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio. Descriptive design is one of the simplest forms of observational study design. This type of research In other words, descriptive research design does not explore potential relationships between different variables or the causes that may underlie those relationships. Nov 26, 2021 · Descriptive research is referred to as observational research because no variables are altered during the study. In clinical research, our aim is to design a study, which would be able to derive a valid and meaningful scientific conclusion using appropriate statistical methods that can be translated to the “real world” setting. Here are some situations where experimental research design may Introduction. The author reports no conflicts of interest. They are often the first foray into a new disease or area of inquiry—the first scientific “toe in the water”. Some distinctive characteristics of descriptive May 8, 2020 · Descriptive vs analytical studies. Jan 4, 2024 · Following the famous Cambridge Dictionary, we define a design as “a drawing or set of drawings showing how a building or product is to be made and how it will work and look” or, more broadly, “a plan or specification for the construction of an object or system or for implementing an activity or process, or the result or specification as a prototype, product or process” (Cambridge n. Data from descriptive research may be qualitative or quanti-tative, and quantitative data presentations are normally limited to frequency 11 Steps in Research Process; Research Design; Different Research Designs; Compare and Contrast the Main Types of Research Designs; Cross-sectional research design; Qualitative and Quantitative Research; Descriptive Research VS Qualitative Research; Experimental Research VS Quantitative Research; Sampling Design; Probability VS Non-Probability Jul 28, 2023 · Descriptive design as an acceptable research design for dissertation and other robust scholarly research has received varying degrees of acceptance within the academic community. 1 They document the health of populations and often prompt more rigorous studies. (2011) used a non-experimental, quantitative research design known as a descriptive, comparative design. Findings of descriptive researches create a scope for further research. e. Rooted in an open-ended and non-experimental nature, this type of research focuses on portraying the details of specific phenomena or contexts, helping readers gain a clearer understanding of topics of interest. Steps in a Descriptive Analysis—An Iterative Process 8 Box 7. , a healthcare organization). , which investigated the relation between maternal vitamin D levels during pregnancy and the bone Jan 3, 2024 · The key feature of descriptive research is that it merely describes phenomena and does not attempt to manipulate variables nor determine cause and effect. Describe the design features of a cross-sectional study and describe their uses, strengths, and limitations. In-depth individual interviews were used to explore and describe the experiences of parents of preterm Feb 26, 2015 · A descriptive survey research design was adopted in the study. Jan 1, 2019 · The study applied a qualitative research design following a descriptive approach [21]. Oct 17, 2021 · Descriptive research accurately describes a research problem without asking why a particular event happened. Examples Descriptive research design offers the flexibility to conduct research at different periods. You will also find examples of correlational research questions and designs. Step 3: Design your experimental treatments How you manipulate the independent variable can affect the experiment’s external validity – that is, the extent to which the results can be generalized and applied A retrospective study an experimental design that looks back in time and assesses events that have already occurred. Descriptive research is distinct from correlational research, in which researchers formally test whether a relationship exists between two or more variables. Nov 21, 2023 · Understand the characteristics of descriptive research and what descriptive study design is used for. Aims This paper provides an overview of qualitative descriptive research, orientates to the underlying philosophical perspectives and key characteristics that define this Many scientific disciplines, especially social science and psychology, use this method to obtain a general overview of the subject. time. A descriptive study only summarizes said outcome using descriptive statistics. . Descriptive studies have one or more guiding research questions. This chapter focuses on the second stage of DRM: the DS-I stage. However, descriptive design has been gaining momentum since the early 2000’s as a suitable design for studies that do not fall into the more mainstream genres of Dec 18, 2019 · Introduction. Descriptive studies and surveys are primary modes of probing and analysis in this design with investigative procedures that involve gathering & understanding qualitative data. We compare two or more things to get a result. Explain the concept of ecologic fallacy both in general and in the context of a study. a). Sep 4, 2023 · It can involve qualitative methods of collecting data, such as interviews or focus groups. In this article, we’ll look at the advantages and disadvantages of an observational study design, as well as the 3 types of observational studies. If you want to know the Jul 9, 2020 · Bivariate descriptive statistics. Descriptive studies. Cross-sectional studies can be used for both analytical and descriptive purposes: An analytical study tries to answer how or why a certain outcome might occur. 1 Before choosing a study design, one must establish aims and objectives of the study, and choose an appropriate target population that is most representative of Before beginning your paper, you need to decide how you plan to design the study. Jan 30, 2024 · Descriptive Case Study Research . Baltimore, MD, Williams and Wilkins, 1991 Baltimore, MD, Williams and Wilkins, 1991 Nov 22, 2021 · The descriptive research design is a method of performing exploratory research in any domain. By comparing data collected at different time points, you can identify any similarities or differences, providing valuable insights for decision-making processes. Julianne Cheek and Elise Øby, co-authors of the book Research Design: Why Thinking About Design Matters, discuss the first three chapters in these video interviews: Chapter 1 – Research Design: What You Need to Think About and Why . Jul 7, 2021 · Correlational research is a type of study that explores how variables are related to each other. Jun 12, 2020 · In descriptive research, you simply seek an overall summary of your study variables. Descriptive science is a category of science that involves descriptive research; that is, observing, recording, describing, and classifying phenomena. A closed-captioned version of this video is available here. Chapter 2 – Ethical Issues in Research Design Dec 17, 2018 · As explained by Robson (2002), there are three possible forms of research design: exploratory, descriptive and explanatory. I use a number of different examples to convey when and in whic Apr 16, 2021 · The second step of your research design is figuring out the broad shape your research will take. The population of the study comprised the 2,986 (two thousand nine hundred and eighty six) academic staff of the four public Descriptive research design is frequently used in the field of psychology to observe and describe phenomenon for better understanding of the research subject matter. Aug 3, 2023 · Descriptive studies that examine individuals can take the form of case reports (a report of a single case of an unusual disease or association), case series (a description of several similar cases) and cross-sectional studies. Given the nuance and complexity of qualitative research, this paper provides an accessible starting point from which novice researchers can begin their journey Nov 19, 2020 · This article attempts to look into the various dimensions of a case study research strategy, the different epistemological strands which determine the particular case study type and approach adopted in the field, discusses the factors which can enhance the effectiveness of a case study research, and the debate surrounding the role of a case Dec 18, 2019 · Inconsistency in decision making within the research process coupled with a lack of transparency has created issues of credibility for this type of approach. T. This chapter presents two of the most prominent approaches to the design of descriptive research in music education. Descriptive research can involve market research studies based on quantitative variables. These research projects are designed to provide Jun 24, 2020 · Disclaimer: Study funders had no role in study design; data collection, interpretation, or analysis; writing the report; or the decision to submit this manuscript for publication. We need to understand what research design is and what it is not. Descriptive Research Design provides explanation and examples for quantitative descriptive research. In bivariate analysis, you simultaneously study the frequency and variability of two variables to see if they vary Jan 11, 2023 · We need to think about research before we design and conduct it. Since the design of a study can affect the validity of its results, it is important to understand the different types of study designs and their strengths and limitations. The major purpose of descriptive research design is to provide information on characteristics of a population or phenomenon (Mugenda & Mugenda Dec 3, 2019 · If your study system doesn’t match these criteria, there are other types of research you can use to answer your research question. Descriptive vs analytical example You are studying child obesity. Crossover study design. Learn about the definition Mar 26, 2024 · When to use Experimental Research Design . Describe the design features of an ecologic study and discuss their strengths and weaknesses. Updated: 11/21/2023 Characteristics of descriptive research. Thus, cohort studies are forward-direction studies (moving from exposure to outcome) and are typically prospective studies (the outcome has not occurred at the start of the study). Examples of Dec 21, 2019 · Introduction. Instead of recording data going forward as events happen, these studies use participant recollection and data that were previously recorded for Feb 27, 2017 · Descriptive studies in eHealth evaluations aim to assess the success of eHealth systems in terms of the system planning, design, implementation, use and impact. Descriptive research design. Descriptive research is sometimes contrasted with hypothesis-driven research, which is focused on testing a particular hypothesis by means of experimentation. Common approaches to descriptive research include: Of the various observational study designs, the descriptive design is the simplest. An appropriate study design guarantees the achievement of the research objectives. Jul 1, 2022 · In this paper, we propose a framework for thinking through the design and conduct of descriptive epidemiologic studies. Apr 24, 2023 · In epidemiology, researchers are interested in measuring or assessing the relationship of exposure with a disease or an outcome. By doing so, it can provide valuable insights and is Descriptive research design is a type of research design that aims to systematically obtain information to describe a phenomenon, situation, or population. To determine cause and effect, a researcher would need to use an alternate methodology, such as experimental research design. Comparative descriptive design – here everything is easy too. C. When a descriptive study answers to the question “What?”, a further research can be conducted to find an answer to “Why?” question. The research procedures are subsequently Descriptive studies have several important roles in medical research. ” Dec 18, 2019 · It can be difficult to clearly differentiate what constitutes a descriptive research design from the range of other methodologies at the disposal of qualitative researchers. Descriptive studies, in which the researcher interacts with the participant, may involve surveys or interviews to collect the necessary information. A. For each approach, the introduction describes the particular focus of the research and common across the approaches, the introduction tends to familiarize the reader to the research problem and research question(s). Three main types among which you may choose are: Simple descriptive design – it is called a simple one because its only aim is to gather information and facts together. Apr 6, 2021 · Study designs are the set of methods and procedures used to collect and analyze data in a study. wrote the first draft of the manuscript; no funding was provided to the authors or anyone else to produce the manuscript. The crucial factors that should be considered in the selection of the study design are the formulated research question, as well as the method of sampling [4, 27]. A well-defined descriptive question aims to quantify and characterize some feature of the health of a population and must clearly state: Feb 20, 2023 · Descriptive research design is a powerful tool used by scientists and researchers to gather information about a particular group or phenomenon. The simplest type of descriptive study is the case report. In this video, we will decide which type of design is right Descriptive research design is a type of research methodology that aims to systematically describe and analyze the characteristics, behaviours, and attributes of a specific population or phenomenon without influencing it. An example of cohort study design is a study by Viljakainen et al. But, just as in research experimental design, different methods can be used when you’re considering this type of study. In this guide, you will learn when and how to use correlational research, and what its advantages and limitations are. WHAT IS RESEARCH DESIGN? 1 THE CONTEXT OF DESIGN Before examining types of research designs it is important to be clear about the role and purpose of research design. , disease or condition), using an observational study design might be the best fit. Jan 17, 2020 · The selection of the study design is the most critical step in research methodology [4, 26]. Some subjects cannot be observed in any other way; for example, a social case study of an individual subject is a descriptive research design and allows observation without affecting normal behavior. By researching market patterns, the descriptive method answers how patterns change, what caused the change and when the change occurred, instead of dwelling on why the change happened. Since descriptive studies are often reported,2 clinicians need to know their Jul 3, 2024 · Descriptive research designs help provide answers to the questions of who, what, when, where, and how associated with a particular research problem; a descriptive study cannot conclusively ascertain answers to why. Each participant first receives one intervention (usually by random allocation, as described above). It is particularly useful when studying the impact of an intervention or treatment on a particular outcome. Jan 18, 2023 · There are four common types of research design — descriptive, correlational, experimental, and diagnostic designs. H. The descriptive Feb 7, 2023 · Case Series and Case Reports are descriptive study/studies that consist of collections of reports on the treatment of individual patients or a report on a single patient. Correlational and experimental research can both be Box 3. It can be difficult to clearly differentiate what constitutes a descriptive research design from the range of other methodologies at the disposal of qualitative researchers. It can help you identify patterns, trends, and predictions in your data. Descriptive studies describe the characteristics of interest in the study population (also referred to as sample, to differentiate it from the entire population in the universe). The PubMed electronic database was searched for articles written in English and published from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014, using the terms, “qualitative descriptive study,” “qualitative descriptive design,” and “qualitative description,” combined with “nursing. The Four Types of Research Design May 1, 2019 · design is descriptive, exploratory and explanatory while longitudinal survey focus on trend . Descriptive studies that examine populations, or groups, as the unit of observation, are known as ecological studies. Descriptive research is also useful in cases where it is impossible to test or record quantitative data for a large sample population. Beck S. Jul 7, 2023 · Quantitative research design is defined as a research method used in various disciplines, including social sciences, psychology, economics, and market research. This allows you to explore changes or consistencies over time. In this case, descriptive design research also has quantitative methods, such as surveys or observational studies. Descriptive studies can involve a one-time interaction with groups of people ( cross-sectional study) or a study might follow individuals over time ( longitudinal study). It allows the researcher to study and describe the distribution of one or more variables, without regard to any Oct 9, 2020 · The cross-sectional study design and the longitudinal study design are fundamental cornerstones in the descriptive research design for the subject under investigation. The type of study design used to answer a particular research question is determined by the nature of question, the goal of research, and the availability of resources. Let’s take a look at each in more detail. Simply creating depictions of music teaching and learning experiences that are organized and illustrative of the variation that can exist in any given setting is a worthwhile scientific endeavor in and of itself. While both are instrumental in various fields of study such as human behavior, health, psychology, and social sciences, they differ significantly in their approach, methodology Oct 10, 2021 · The conduct of research requires the selection of the appropriate method to evaluate the research problem or question. Types of Quantitative Design Descriptive research. The primary goal of descriptive research is to provide a clear and accurate picture of the subject under investigation. However, descriptive design has been gaining momentum since the early 2000’s as a suitable design for studies that do not fall into the more mainstream genres of Descriptive Studies help understand this complex activity and should provide a sound basis on which to develop support. May 5, 2022 · Learn what descriptive research is and how to use it to describe a population, situation or phenomenon. Next, you need to choose the descriptive research design. We most commonly see descriptive case studies when those in the psychology field are using past clients as an example to illustrate a point. Design. Systematic Review usually focuses on a specific clinical question and conducts an extensive literature search to identify studies with sound methodology. 1%) justified the use of a descriptive phenomenological research design and 78 (75. Learn more about quantitative research design types, methods and best practices. 7%) studies elaborated on the participant selection process in addition to stating the sampling method and participant eligibility criteria. K. The studies are Jun 20, 2019 · You can also create a mixed methods research design that has elements of both. In experimental research, you systematically examine whether there is a cause-and-effect relationship between variables. They describe people, products, organizations, and situations. The term descriptive research then refers to research questions, the design of the study, and data analysis conducted on that topic. Creating a research design means making decisions about: Your overall aims and approach; The type of research design you’ll use; Your sampling methods or criteria for selecting subjects; Your data collection methods; The procedures you’ll follow to The cross-sectional study design and the longitudinal study design are fundamental cornerstones in the descriptive research design for the subject under investigation. Conducting descriptive research offers researchers a way to present phenomena as they naturally occur. d. As a first step, they define the hypothesis based on the research question and then decide which study design will be best suited to answer that question. Dec 27, 2012 · Case study research has a long history within the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, dating back to the early 1920's. Therefore, descriptive research is useful for generating insight into a research problem by describing its characteristics. Find out the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of descriptive research and see examples of surveys, observational studies, and case studies. How the researcher conducts the investigation is directed by the chosen study design. Broadly speaking, there are 2 types of study designs: descriptive studies and analytical studies. Dec 9, 2020 · Then, using two common research contexts, we apply each approach to design a study, enabling comparisons among approaches and demonstrating the internal consistency within each approach. Common Uses of Descriptive Accounts in Education Research and Practice 7 Box 6. As a researcher I contributed to a mixed-method study incorporating an RCT with a nested qualitative study, using interviews and focus groups. In a cross-sectional study, the investigator measures the outcome and the exposures in the study participants at the same time. Features Of Descriptive Research Design Abstract. A What is descriptive research design?¹. We need to know where design fits into the whole research process from framing a question to Descriptive studies can involve a one-time interaction with groups of people ( cross-sectional study) or a study might follow individuals over time ( longitudinal study). Its value is based on the premise that problems can be solved and practices improved through observation, analysis, and description. The researchers already know the outcome for each subject when the project starts. Due to some topics’ ethical nature or the need to understand the natural history (i. : Designing a study, in Mateo MA, Kirchhoff KT (eds): Conducting and Using Nursing Research in the Clinical Setting. Search Strategy and Study Screening. It can either quantify the distribution of certain variables (quantitative descriptive research) or simply report the qualities of these variables without quantifying them (qualitative descriptive research). conclusion of the study, but it provides a framework for the design issues to follow. The research design refers to the overall strategy that you choose to integrate the different components of the study in a coherent and logical way, thereby, ensuring you will effectively address the research problem; it constitutes the blueprint for the collection, measurement, and analysis of data. At first it was a useful way for researchers to make valid inferences from events outside the laboratory in ways consistent with the rigorous practices of investigation inside the lab. Apr 11, 2022 · All studies had a clear statement of research aims, but only 65 studies (63. There are many valuable reasons to utilize an observational study design. The study designs can be In this video, I provide a simple and easy-to-understand explanation of DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH. If you’ve collected data on more than one variable, you can use bivariate or multivariate descriptive statistics to explore whether there are relationships between them. Identify the strengths and limitations of an ecologic study. These studies do not have a comparison group. Descriptive Studies. May 5, 2022 · A research design is a strategy for answering your research question using empirical data. In correlational research, you investigate relationships between your study variables. The design spells out strategies the researcher adopts to gather accurate, objective, and interpretable information (Polit & Beck, 2007). Descriptive studies have more guidelines than explorative research. Tourigny et al. sasvpheuylqpmzpckenp