Descriptive research encompasses which types?

• A. Developmental, normative, qualitative research plus case reports and case series
• B. Randomized trials
• C. Meta-analyses
• D. Case-control studies

Answer: (A)

Descriptive research focuses on describing characteristics, patterns, and relationships in a population or phenomenon without manipulating variables or testing causality. Developmental studies describe how abilities or functions change over time; normative research establishes standard values or benchmarks for a population; qualitative research gathers in-depth, non-numeric data to understand experiences and meanings; and case reports and case series document detailed observations from individual patients or small groups. Together, these approaches provide a descriptive picture of what is typical, how things occur, and what’s been observed, rather than testing interventions or examining cause-effect relationships.

The other types listed fall into analytic or experimental categories: randomized trials test the effects of interventions under controlled conditions; meta-analyses combine results from multiple studies to draw broader conclusions; case-control studies look for associations between exposures and outcomes to infer possible risk factors. These do not primarily describe phenomena; they investigate relationships or effects.