Applied research is primarily interested in identifying problem areas and in searching for relevant solutions, and it produces direct answers.
Basic research aims to study and explain basic social issues and to help solve social problems.
Epidemiological research is commonly used to estimate whether the expected costs and benefits of a proposed programme justify its introduction.
Feasibility research focuses primarily on health and is employed to ascertain the extent to which certain population attributes occur.
Evaluation research is employed to assess the status of a programme, for example, whether its performance justifies its continuous support.
Evaluation research employs only qualitative methods of data collection and analysis.
Formative evaluation research is interested in how effective a programme is.
Summative evaluation research is interested in how research can be improved.
Evaluation research is applied research, not an ‘audit’.
Informal evaluation, although ‘informal’, is used within serious deliberations regarding the fate of programmes as the only source of information.
Writers note that evaluation research is about descriptive, normative and cause–effect issues.
Action research is the application of fact finding to practical problem solving.
Strictly speaking, action research employs research methods loaded with and expressing ‘action’ and hence not common in other research models.
One of the many goals of needs assessment research is to empower stakeholders to advocate for change.