There are three main types of descriptive methods: observational methods, case-study methods and survey methods.

There are three main types of psychological research:

• Correlational research.
• Descriptive research.
• Experimental research.

Research Methods

• Aims and Hypotheses. The aim of the study is a statement of what the researcher intents to investigate.
• Sampling.
• Variables.
• Experimental Design.
• Lab Experiment.
• Field Experiment.
• Natural Experiment.
• Case Study.

Case studies, surveys, naturalistic observation, and laboratory observation are examples of descriptive or correlational research methods. Using these methods, researchers can describe different events, experiences, or behaviors and look for links between them.

The three main categories of psychological research are descriptive, correlational, and experimental research. Research studies that do not test specific relationships between variables are called descriptive, or qualitative, studies.

Case Studies, Checklists, Interviews, Observation sometimes, and Surveys or Questionnaires are all tools used to collect data. It is important to decide the tools for data collection because research is carried out in different ways and for different purposes.

Note that your research problem determines the type of design you can use, not the other way around!

• General Structure and Writing Style.
• Action Research Design.
• Case Study Design.
• Causal Design.
• Cohort Design.
• Cross-Sectional Design.
• Descriptive Design.
• Experimental Design.