Dr Gururaj S Hadagali 2152022 DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH METHOD

Dr. Gururaj S. Hadagali 2/15/2022 DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH (METHOD) DR. GURURAJ S. HADAGALI ASSISTANT PROFESSOR DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE KARNATAK UNIVERSITY, DHARWAD – 580 003 1

Dr. Gururaj S. Hadagali 2/15/2022 MEANING Descriptive study is a fact-finding investigation with adequate interpretation. It is the simplest type of research. � It is more specific than an exploratory study, as it has focus on particular aspects or dimensions of the problem studied. � It is designed to gather descriptive information and provides information formulating more sophisticated studies. � Data are collected by using one or more appropriate methods: observation, interviewing and questionnaire. � 2

Dr. Gururaj S. Hadagali 2/15/2022 CRITERIA All problems do not lend themselves to descriptive study. This method is applicable to problems, which satisfy certain criteria. � First, the problem must be describable and not arguable. For instance, philosophical and controversial issues are not suitable for descriptive study. � Second, the data should be amenable to an accurate, objective, and if, possible, quantitative assemblage for reliability and significance. � Third, it should be possible to develop valid standards of comparison. Last, it should lend itself to verifiable procedure of collection and analysis of data. 3

Dr. Gururaj S. Hadagali 2/15/2022 OBJECTIVE � � � A descriptive study aims at identifying the various characteristics of a community or institution or problem under study, but it does not deal with the testing of proposition or hypothesis. However, it “can reveal potential relationships between variables thus setting the stage for more elaborate investigation later. A descriptive study also aims at a classification of the range of elements comprising the subject matter of study. The classification must satisfy two criteria, viz. Exhaustiveness and Mutual exclusiveness 4

Dr. Gururaj S. Hadagali 2/15/2022 � Exhaustiveness is achieved when all the important elements are identified. � Mutual exclusiveness occurs when each item can be unambiguously placed in only one category in the system. � Descriptive information should also be useful for explanation, prediction and awareness. 5

Dr. Gururaj S. Hadagali 2/15/2022 DESCRIPTIVE STUDY VS. ANALYTICAL STUDY �A descriptive study identifies relevant variables but does not aim at testing hypothesis. � On the other hand, an analytical study is primarily concerned with testing hypothesis and specifying and interpreting relationships. � A descriptive study is relatively less limited by the rigorous requirements of measurement and analysis than an analytical study. � A descriptive study employs simple statistical techniques like averages and percentages, but an analytical study employs advanced statistical techniques like correlation and multivariate analysis. 6

Dr. Gururaj S. Hadagali 2/15/2022 USEFULNESS � The descriptive studies are useful in their own way. � They have much to contribute to the development of a young science, as descriptive information can focus directly on a theoretical point. � It may be useful in verifying focal concepts through empirical observation. � “The more adequate the description, the greater is the likelihood that the units from the description will be useful in subsequent theory 7

Dr. Gururaj S. Hadagali 2/15/2022 Descriptive information can highlight important methodological aspects of data collection and interpretation. The collection of factual data increases our awareness of the relative accuracy of our measuring devices. Thus, our ability to accumulate further knowledge is significantly broadened. � Descriptive information obtained in a research may be useful for prediction about areas of social life outside the boundaries of the research. � Descriptive studies are valuable in providing facts needed for planning social action programmes. � 8

Dr. Gururaj S. Hadagali 2/15/2022 LIMITATIONS � The descriptive method of study has certain limitations: � The researcher may make description an end in itself. Research must lead to discovery of facts. � Although social science problems are continuous and have a past and future, the research may lose himself in current conditions only. 9