INVESTIGACIÓN EXPLICATIVA: Características y ejemplos
What is Explanatory Research?
Overview of Explanatory Research
- Explanatory research is highly structured within scientific investigation, providing a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon under study and offering relevant data for future work.
- The goal of explanatory research is to find reasons behind phenomena by observing causes and effects, focusing on why events occur and under what conditions.
Key Characteristics
- An example includes studies determining the high contagion rates of the Delta variant of COVID-19, which can help identify ways to reduce transmission rates.
- Key characteristics include:
- Determining motives behind specific phenomena.
- Providing a more accurate understanding of phenomena and their causes.
- Allowing affirmation or refutation of theories from previous research.
Methods Used in Explanatory Research
Quantitative Methods
- Various methods are employed in explanatory research; quantitative approaches often involve predictive studies establishing cause-effect relationships among variables.
- Structural equation modeling may be used to propose theories that explain phenomena, alongside experimental studies manipulating independent variables to test hypotheses.
Qualitative Methods
- Qualitative designs often focus on linguistic analysis leading to a coded paradigm representing reality constructed through participant interaction.
- Ethnographic studies allow researchers to experience essential elements firsthand, enhancing understanding of the phenomenon being studied.
Examples of Explanatory Research
Notable Studies
- Examples include:
- Investigating adolescent consumption patterns of sexually explicit music content.
- Explaining why certain variants of coronavirus are more contagious than others.
- Identifying reasons for varying acceptance levels between political ideologies.
Additional Examples
- Other examples encompass:
- Examining effects on family communication due to high cellphone usage among family members.
- Studying how changes in product image affect sales levels.
Conclusion: Distinguishing Explanatory Research
Summary Points
- Explanatory research aims to uncover reasons behind phenomena, differing from descriptive studies that merely describe situations and correlational studies that analyze variable relationships.