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Types of research
Every project takes one of these forms. Each guide walks you through planning it and writing every section of the paper, with examples and a checklist.
- No data collection Literature review Summarize, compare, and critique what's already been published on a topic — no new data needed. A great first project. Open the guide →
- Planning Research proposal Plan a study in detail: the question, the gap, the method, and what you expect to find, before any data is collected. Open the guide →
- Your own data Original empirical study Collect your own data — through an experiment, survey, or observation — and analyze it to answer your question. Open the guide →
- In depth Case study Examine one person, organization, event, or place in depth, using several kinds of evidence. Open the guide →
- Questionnaires Survey study Ask a defined group structured questions and analyze the patterns in their answers. Open the guide →
- Interviews Qualitative / interview study Use interviews, observation, or open-ended responses to understand how people experience something. Open the guide →
Not sure which to choose? If you're new to research, a literature review is the easiest place to start. If you want to collect your own data, look at the empirical, survey, or interview guides.