The primary objective of a research strategy is to explore the variable (or variables) present in a specific behavior and their relationships. The type of question asked by the researcher is determinant to take a decision about the best approach to complete an accurate assessment of the study topic. The goal of the descriptive research is to describe a single variable or obtain separate descriptions for each variable as they naturally exist. It is used to describe various aspects of the phenomenon. This strategy does not attempt to explain the cause-effect of the behavior, but why it occurs or what causes it. Moreover, in this scenario, the researcher has no control over the variables. Descriptive studies are fundamental to describes, explain and validate a Scientific Research.
The kinds of descriptive research designs :
- Observational research
- Survey research
- Case study research
In an observational research design for example, if we have an interest in learning more about how women from different ages engage in physical activities in a gym center, we will have to make a detailed observation of this behavior at that specific environment. We will have to use any method (frequency, duration, interval) to quantify and translate all the gathering information through score numbers to a posterior evaluation of the observed variables. It is essential to be aware and avoid anything that can impact their natural inclinations to behave naturally in this environment. In other words, we prevent any manipulation that can interfere in the predictable outcome that the researcher aims to capture. Through direct observation, we can collect data about our impressions an then make inferences about everything that we could observe, specifying differences and similarities that were noted.
There are three kinds of observation: Naturalistic Observation, Participants Observation, and Contrived Observation. Each one presents different characteristics, but the major one is related to the occurrence of the studied behavior. In a contrived observation, the researcher has better control of the aspects of the environment. So, the data can be collected in a more efficient way.
Overall the significant advantage of this observational strategy is to allow the observation of the phenomenon in a wholly natural and unchanged environment. It also permits that the observers get essential kinds of information that would be difficult to manipulate. On the other hand, this kind of strategy present some disadvantages as to tend to be biased, violates ethics boundaries of privacy, a very time consuming, and not establishing the cause of behavior, which presents a challenge to verify the research problem statistically. For that reason, observational studies tend to reflect a certain level of bias and allow different interpretations. Replicate the same kind of a study like that is to represent another sort of challenge, on account of to their observational nature essence.
Surveys method works accessing participants information by interviews and (or) questionnaires. It is very important that the questions are constructed properly to ensure reliability and validity in this method. A good elaboration allows the survey to achieve its goal avoiding bias in the responses. It is necessary that all questions be clear and easy to comprehend. Once more, depends on the goal of the researcher how he will design the survey with open-ended, restricted or rating-scale questions to obtain specific information.
The case study promotes an in-depth study of an individual (idiographic approach) or a group of individuals (nomothetic approach), but in behavioral sciences, it tends to be more focused on groups. The purpose to use this kind of design is to obtain a detailed description (a report) about the focus of the study (individual or a group). Case studies often lead to testable hypotheses and allow us to study rare phenomena, like for example, the effects of lack of socialization in children in Genie Wiley's case. Researchers hope that acquired knowledge through a case like that can yield significant pieces of information that can be generalized to many others. Unfortunately, case studies tend to be highly subjective and biased, generating real threats to internal and external validity. It is essential to enhance that case studies should not be used to determine cause and effect, and consequently, have limited use for making accurate predictions.
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