Title: Descriptive Research Design | Definition, Methods and Examples
Headings: Descriptive research
Descriptive research
Table of contents
When to use a descriptive research design
Descriptive research methods
Surveys
Observations
Case studies
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Shona McCombes

Content: Descriptive Research Design | Definition, Methods and Examples
Descriptive research
Published on  May 15, 2019  by Shona McCombes. Revised on  September 3, 2020. Descriptive research aims to accurately and systematically describe a population, situation or phenomenon. It can answer what, where, when and how questions, but not why questions. A descriptive research design can use a wide variety of research methods to investigate one or more variables. Unlike in experimental research, the researcher does not control or manipulate any of the variables, but only observes and measures them. Table of contents
When to use a descriptive research design
Descriptive research methods
When to use a descriptive research design
Descriptive research is an appropriate choice when the research aim is to identify characteristics, frequencies, trends, and categories. It is useful when not much is known yet about the topic or problem. Before you can research why something happens, you need to understand how, when and where it happens. Descriptive research question examples
How has the Amsterdam housing market changed over the past 20 years?