Classification of Research

Cooper & Emory provide an interesting hierarchy of research that is worth capturing in the journal:
· Reporting – provides and account of summation of data. The research does not seek inference of conclusions.
· Description – explores the who, what, when, where, and how of the data. Researcher creates a profile of a group of problems.
· Explanation – seeks the reason behind the phenomena that is occurring.
· Prediction – creates a theory or model of the phenomena that can be used to predict when it will occur and under what conditions.
· Control – identifies means to control the phenomena or to control the impact that the phenomena has.

This hierarchy puts some of my previous work into perspective. Many of us hope to understand something well enough to control its effects. But, this is the highest level and is not directly assailable. A researcher must work through the previous levels or build on the work of previous researchers who have done so.