Research Classification: Types, Methods, and Disciplines

Research can be classified in various ways based on different criteria. Here are a few common classifications:\n\n1. Purpose/Goal:\n - Basic research: Aimed at expanding knowledge and understanding fundamental concepts.\n - Applied research: Focuses on solving specific practical problems and has immediate real-world applications.\n - Action research: Conducted to address specific issues or problems within a particular setting or organization.\n\n2. Methodology/Approach:\n - Quantitative research: Relies on numerical data and statistical analysis to draw conclusions.\n - Qualitative research: Involves collecting non-numerical data, such as interviews, observations, or textual analysis, to gain in-depth insights.\n - Mixed methods research: Combines both quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide a comprehensive understanding.\n\n3. Field/Discipline:\n - Natural sciences: Research in areas like physics, chemistry, biology, etc.\n - Social sciences: Study of human society and behavior, including disciplines like psychology, sociology, economics, etc.\n - Humanities: Research on culture, literature, languages, history, philosophy, etc.\n - Interdisciplinary research: Cutting across multiple fields to address complex problems.\n\n4. Timeframe:\n - Longitudinal research: Investigates phenomena over an extended period, often involving repeated measurements.\n - Cross-sectional research: Examines a specific point in time or a particular population at a given moment.\n\n5. Context:\n - Laboratory-based research: Carried out in controlled environments, often in a laboratory setting.\n - Field research: Conducted in real-world settings, such as natural environments, communities, or specific organizations.\n\nThese classifications are not mutually exclusive, and research can often fall into multiple categories simultaneously. The classification of research depends on the specific context, objectives, and methods employed by the researcher.