Descriptive vs. Analytical Research: The distinction between descriptive and analytical research is based on the question it asks. Descriptive research attempts to determine, describe, or identify what is, while analytical research attempts to establish why it is that way or how it came to be. The descriptive research uses description, classification, measurement, and comparison to describe
what phenomena are. The analytical research usually concerns itself with cause-effect relationships. Examples. Examining the fluctuations of U. S. international trade balance during 1974-1995 is an example of descriptive research; while explaining why and how U.S. trade balance move in a particular way over time is an example of analytical research. Another example: Starting from late 1986, the value of U.S. dollar value has steadily increased against the Japanese yen and German Mark. Examining the magnitude of this trend in the value of U.S. dollar is another example of descriptive research; while explaining how and why this surge in the value of the U.S. dollar is occuring. If one attempts to explain how and why this surge in the value of U.S. dollar is going to affect the U.S. economy,as well as the economies of Japan and Germany, this is another example of analytical research.
Disciplinary, Subject-Matter, and Problem-Solving Research: By disciplinary research, we mean research "designed to improve a discipline" as Johnson(1986) defines it. It dwells on theories, relationships, and analytical procedures and techniques within the discipline. Examples: Economic research or social research. By subject-matter research, we mean research "on a subject of interest" within a discipline. Example: Research in resource economics or in international economics. By problem-solving research, we mean research "designed to solve a specific problem for a specific decision maker". It is often multidisciplinary. Example: A multidisciplinary study of on the demand for new mass transit involving economics, sociology, and civil engineering. Or a multidisciplinary study of new medical surgery involving medical doctors, engineers, and an economist.