Module 2 Research Design

Section 1 Descriptive Studies

Section 1: Descriptive Studies

Definition: A descriptive study is one in which information is collected without changing the environment (i.e., nothing is manipulated).

A descriptive study is one in which information is collected without changing the environment (i.e., nothing is manipulated). Sometimes these are referred to as " correlational " or " observational " studies. The Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP) defines a descriptive study as "Any study that is not truly experimental." In human research, a descriptive study can provide information about the naturally occurring health status, behavior, attitudes, or other characteristics of a particular group. Descriptive studies are also conducted to demonstrate associations or relationships between things in the world around you.

Descriptive studies can involve a one-time interaction with groups of people (cross-sectional study), see below.

or a study might follow individuals over time (longitudinal study).

Descriptive studies, in which the researcher interacts with the participant, may involve surveys or interviews to collect the necessary information.

Descriptive studies in which the researcher does not interact with the participant include observational studies of people in an environment (e.g., "fly on the wall") and studies involving data collection using existing records (e.g., medical record review).

Case Example For A Descriptive Study

A researcher wants to know why individuals in Community A have a higher rate of a rare form of cancer when compared to those living in Community B. To find out the reasons for the differences in cancer rates in these two communities, the investigator surveyed residents about their lifestyle, noted the types of businesses that were present in the community, and searched medical records. The researcher found that the headquarters for the Toxico Chemical Plant is located in Community A, there is a higher rate of cigarette smoking in this community and residents tended to delay or skip going to the doctor for an annual checkup. In Community B, the largest employer was a department store, and on average, residents did not smoke as much as residents from Community A. However, like individuals from Community A, Community B residents tended to delay or skip their annual checkups with their doctor

Section 1: Discussion Questions

What makes this a descriptive study?
Why did the researcher collect information about the lifestyle of community residents? What about the type of businesses present in each community? Medical records?
Can the investigator establish that chemical plants and cigarette smoking are the cause of the higher rate of cancer among those in Community A?
Can the investigator establish that lower smoking rates and the absence of a chemical factory explain the lower rate of cancer among those in Community B?

Descriptive studies are usually the best methods for collecting information that will demonstrate relationships and describe the world as it exists. These types of studies are often done before an experiment to know what specific things to manipulate and include in an experiment. Bickman and Rog (1998) suggest that descriptive studies can answer questions such as "what is" or "what was." Experiments can typically answer "why" or "how."

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