Research is a systematic investigation of a study, including data collection, documentation of critical information and explaining the future perspectives of an investigation. It is a must for the development and reporting knowledge that is the nature of homo sapiens. The researcher has to choose the best suitable research method based on the research aims. The best suitable research method can produce reliable and legit results.
This article aims to describe the two important methods of research. The first is practical research, and the second is phenomenological research. Thus, this article will highlight the differences between these two research methods. It will first discuss the practical research purpose, application, examples and steps. Later, it will discuss the basic research. It will describe phenomenological research, its steps, and a brief note of their differences.
Practical research:
It refers to the scientific study that aims to solve practical problems. It is also known as applied research. In another way, research whose outcomes have immediate applications falls under the umbrella of practical or applied research. It follows a stepwise process of detailed planning, analysis, and interpretation. It gives the most suitable solution to most everyday human problems, so we shoul be thankful for it. In social sciences, these researches refer to the systematic attempt to solve practical social problems. It is about theoretical-empirical research via traditional disciplines of social sciences.
Besides solving human’s everyday problems, this research method has several other benefits. On one side, it facilitates research paper writing services provider companies in saving money by devising cost-effective strategies. But, it allows market researchers to completely understand the market’s latest trends before launching a new product. In health sciences, we can use it to identify the causative agent of a disease. In medical fields, experiments are a more common method of giving immediate solutions to health problems.
Steps to Conduct Practical Research:
It is a detailed process that finds a solution to your scientific problem using many approaches. Examples are literature search, article critique, statistical analysis, formulation of research questions, and summarising approaches to draw the useful consequences. The review of the following will allow you to understand it better:
- Selection of research problem
- Review of literature to knowledge detail about the problem
- Formulation of hypothesis
- Outlining the research plan
- Sampling or collection of data
- Data analysis by using any statistical as well as non-statistical method
- Presentencing result based on interpretation of data
- Concluding the discussion by providing the ultimate solution
Practical Research Is The Reciprocal Of Basic Research:
Basic researches help us to increase the knowledge bank. It tests and plans new or existing theories. Applied or practical research is different from traditional or basic research in many aspects. As described earlier, practical research seeks to put the most suitable solution to a problem into practice. The primary research is curiosity-driven rather than a problem-solving approach, or the practical research is a solution-driven approach.
Similarly, the former is the informational type of research, and the latter has commercial gains. Consequently, the primary and applied research has two approaches to investigation. One is concerned with the development of theories. But the other is with improving the human living condition in society.
Phenomenological research:
Phenomenological research is a qualitative method. It studies the universal essence of a phenomenon. Such studies help understand the everyday experiences of the human being by keeping in mind the preconceived assumptions proposed by other researchers. The three key phenomenological approaches include
1) Heidegger’s hermeneutical phenomenology
2) Husserl’s transcendental phenomenology
3) Merleau-Ponty’s idea of perception
Phenomenological research collects lived experiences of persons to study a particular phenomenon or process.
Step to Conduct The Phenomenological Research:
Phenomenological research has its roots in philosophical approaches. It is a qualitative method of research. It includes data gathered by focused groups, interviews, observations and surveys. It is a little more complicated as compared to practical research. The simplest method of conducting this research is to follow the following five steps:
- Transcription
- Data organisation
- Coding
- Deducing categories
- Themes identification and interpretation of facts
- Making a bibliography
Differences between the practical and phenomenological studies:
In the light of the described definitions, we can say that there is a difference between the two research approaches. There are various reasons behind this claim. The foremost difference lies in the course of action of both of these processes. In simple words, practical research primary focus on investigating the solution of a problem. On the other hand, phenomenological researches aim to increase the knowledge about a particular process. Or it is a phenomenon that may or may not have practical applications. In addition, the phenomenological approach only deals with the qualitative nature of the study by collectinontrary to this, for conducting practical research, you use both qualitative as well as quantg ideas and responses from the persons who have lived experiences about a phenomenon. Citative methods of research. Like basic research, phenomenological research is curiosity-driven research that goes opposite to the nature of practical research (that works to give the immediate solution to the problems).
Concluding thoughts:
We can say practical and phenomenological researches are two different research methods. The first includes many descriptive, analysis, and interpreting approaches. Using these approaches, one can find solutions to many problems. Phenomenological research adds files to the existing knowledge. Or, it describes a phenomenon in the light of experts’ opinions. Thus, the nature (qualitative or quantitative), purpose, and problem application help us decide on the research method. The success of research depends on which method will be more suitable for academic research.