What is descriptive research?
⚫ is the most widely-used research design as indicated by the theses, dissertations and research reports of institutions. Its
common means of obtaining information include the use of the questionnaire, personal interviews with the aid of study guide
or interview schedule, and observation, either participatory or not.
What is descriptive research?
⚫ includes studies that purport to present facts concerning the nature and status of anything. This means that descriptive
research gives meaning to the quality and standing of facts that are going on. For instance, the information about a group of
person, a number of objects, a set of conditions, a class of events, a system of thoughts or any other kind of phenomenon or
experience which one may wish to study
What is descriptive research?
⚫fact-finding with adequate interpretation. The descriptive method is something more and beyond just data-gathering; latter
is not reflective thinking nor research. The true meaning of data collected should be reported from the point of view of the
objectives and the basic assumption of the project under way. Facts obtained may be accurate expressions of central tendency,
or deviation, or correlation; but the report is not research unless discussion of those data is not carried up to the level of
adequate interpretation. Data must be subjected to the thinking process in terms of ordered reasoning.
Nature of Descriptive Research
 Descriptive research is designed for the investigator to gather information about present existing conditions.
 Descriptive research involves collection of data in order to test the hypothesis or to answer questions concerning the
current status of the subject of the study.
 Descriptive study determines and reports the way things are. It has no control over what is, and it can only measure
what already exist.
 Descriptive research has been criticized for its inability to control variables, for being a post-hoc study and for more
frequently yielding only descriptive rather than predictive, findings.
Aim of Descriptive Research
 The principal aims in employing descriptive research are to describe the nature of a situation as it exists at the time of
the study and to explore the causes of particular phenomena. (Travers, 1978)
 Descriptive Research seeks to tell "what exists" or "what is" about a certain educational phenomenon. Accurate
observations and assessments arise from data that ascertain the nature and incidence of prevailing conditions,
practices or description of object, process, and person who are all objects of the study.
 contribute in the formation of principles and generalization in behavioural sciences
 contribute in the establishment of standard norms of conduct, behaviour, or performance.
 reveal problems or abnormal conditions; make possible prediction of future on the basis of findings on prevailing
conditions, corrections, and on the basis of reactions of people toward certain issues;
 give better and deeper understanding of phenomenon on the basis of an in-depth study of the phenomenon.
 provide basis for decision-making.
Design of Descriptive Research
 Descriptive research makes some type of comparison contrasts and correlation and sometimes, in carefully planned
and orchestrated descriptive researches, cause- effect relationships may be established to some extent.
Types and Actual Studies of Descriptive Research
• Descriptive- Educational-Survey Research
Studies- this type of study looks into the teaching-learning process, the child-teacher, the learner and the environment, the
attitudes, habits and other characteristics of the learner, the techniques and the methods, the building equipment and
materials used. etc which all pertain to education. The goal is of this study is to have a total improvement of the educational
system for the maximum development of the individual learner.
•Descriptive-Psychological Research This study pertains to the behavior of individuals in different situations.
• Descriptive- Social Survey- The purpose of this study is to change for the better existing practices of groups living a
community. It is concerned with the formulation of constructive programs of social reform and amelioration. A current social
problem is existing in a particular place, and the aim is to diagnose the "root causes" of the ills, utilizing the research approach.
Importance of Descriptive Research
For scientific basis of judgement. This means that descriptive research provides information which could be used as basis for
important decisions that are to be made.
For a closer look into happenings, behavior, practice, methods and procedures. Descriptive research provides essential facts
and understanding about the nature of anything.
For the formation of construction of test analysis of these standardization of tools instruments used in research.