Points to remember
The following are the major points introduced in this chapter. Ensure that you are very confident with their meaning, content, context and significance.
1 Applied research is primarily
interested in identifying problem areas and in searching for relevant solutions,
and it produces direct answers.
2 There are many types of applied
research. Epidemiological research, feasibility research and evaluation research
are the most common.
3
Epidemiological research focuses on health and is employed to ascertain the
extent to which certain population attributes occur.
4 Feasibility research is commonly
used to estimate whether the expected costs and benefits of a proposed programme
justify its introduction.
5 Evaluation research is a type of
inquiry employed to assess the merit, worth or value of programmes, policies,
services or interventions.
6 Evaluation research has the purpose
of assessing the quality, effectiveness and suitability of programme plans and
programmes.
7 There are many types of evaluation
research, for example, feasibility studies, process analysis and impact
analysis.
8 The overall design of evaluation
research resembles that of the standard research model introduced in this book.
9 Action research is defined as
'the application of fact finding to practical problem solving in a social
situation with a view to improving the quality of action within it, involving
the collaboration and cooperation of researchers, practitioners and laymen'.
10
Action research differs from the mainstream type of research in the extent to
which researchers and subjects are involved in the research process and in the
political nature of the research.
11 The
types of applied research discussed in this chapter are very popular among
feminist researchers.