Descriptive research design, according to Siedlecki (2020), is a research approach that focuses on examining the characteristics and structure of a specific group or organization.
Understanding Descriptive Research
Descriptive research aims to provide a detailed picture of a situation, phenomenon, population, or organization. It's about "what" is happening rather than "why" it's happening. As Siedlecki (2020) points out, this includes examining the organization and characteristics of a given population.
Key Features of Descriptive Research
- Focus on Description: The primary goal is to describe the characteristics of a population or phenomenon.
- Observational: It often involves observing and documenting existing conditions.
- Quantitive or Qualitative: Can utilize both quantitative (e.g., surveys, statistics) and qualitative (e.g., interviews, observations) data collection methods.
- Cross-sectional or Longitudinal: Can be conducted at a single point in time (cross-sectional) or over a period of time (longitudinal) to observe changes. Siedlecki (2020) mentions it can provide a description of events that evolve over time.
Examples of Descriptive Research
Siedlecki (2020) provides specific examples:
- Medicines Reverse Logistics: Describing the process and challenges of returning unused or expired medications.
- Sales Performance: Analyzing and describing the sales performance of a company or product.
Types of Descriptive Research
Descriptive research takes many forms. Some examples include:
- Case Studies: In-depth analysis of a single individual, group, or event.
- Surveys: Collecting data through questionnaires or interviews.
- Observational Studies: Observing and recording behavior in a natural setting.
When to Use Descriptive Research
Descriptive research is suitable when:
- The research question aims to describe a population or phenomenon.
- There is limited existing knowledge about the topic.
- The goal is to generate hypotheses for future research.
Benefits of Descriptive Research
- Provides a comprehensive understanding of a topic.
- Generates data that can be used for further research.
- Can be used to identify trends and patterns.
