Difference between Qualitative research and Quantitative research

Difference between Descriptive Research and Experimental Research

Last Updated : 12 Jul, 2024

Descriptive research is a method that focuses on detailing and explaining the characteristics of the subject being studied. It aims to answer questions about who, what, where, and when regarding the topic. On the other hand, experimental research is a scientific method used to test a theory or hypothesis by manipulating certain variables and observing the effects. This approach typically involves comparing an experimental group, which experiences the manipulation, with a control group that does not.

Descriptive Research

Descriptive research refers to research which describes a phenomenon or else a group under study and it is easy to do in social sciences due to manipulating variables. It is mainly useful for gathering data on a certain population, situations and events. Descriptive research is more towards collecting data and try to find out some insight out of that data using statistical analysis.

Example of descriptive research includes population census and product marketing surveys etc.

Experimental Research

Experimental research refers to research where the researcher manipulates the variable to come to an conclusion or finding and it is difficult to do in social sciences due to manipulating variables. It is useful in finding out the cause effect of a casual relationship and correlation. Experimental research is also do this same sort of analysis but also it always analyzes where the data of an experiment comes from.

Example of experimental research includes laboratory experiments.

Difference between Descriptive Research and Experimental Research

S.NO.	DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH	EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
Definition	Descriptive research refers to research which describes a phenomenon or else a group under study.	Experimental research refers to research where the researcher manipulates the variable to come to an conclusion or finding.
Ease of Execution in Social Sciences	Descriptive research is easy to do in social sciences due to manipulating variables.	Experimental research is difficult to do in social sciences due to manipulating variables.
Purpose	It is useful in gathering data on a certain population, situations and events.	It is useful in finding out the cause effect of a casual relationship and correlation.
Research Environment	In descriptive research the researcher observe the things, situation or events and describes the best of it.	In experimental research the researcher researches the things mainly in closed environment or laboratory and results the best output of it.
Causality and Predictions	Descriptive research cannot determine the causality of events and as such cannot make future predictions.	Experimental research accurately determines causality and therefore can make future predictions.
Research Questions	Mainly Descriptive research tries to answer the question "What is".	Mainly Experimental research tries to answer the question "What if".
Typical Fields of Study	Descriptive research typically includes sociological and psychological, political science studies.	Experimental research typically includes biological, forensic studies, other laboratory studies.
Methodology	It uses both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.	It primarily uses quantitative methodology.
Data Analysis	Descriptive research is more towards collecting data and try to find out some insight out of that data using statistical analysis.	Experimental research is also do this same sort of analysis but also it always analyzes where the data of an experiment comes from.

Difference between Qualitative research and Quantitative research

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