Taxonomy of research

The practice and science of classification is called taxonomy—the term originates from Greek τάξις, taxis (meaning 'order', 'arrangement') and νόμος, nomos ('law' or 'science'). A taxonomy or taxonomic scheme comprises units, known as taxa (singular taxon), which are arranged in a hierarchical structure of super-type (see the dimensions column on the left below) and subtype (see column on the right below) relationships—also called generalisation-specialisation relationships, or less formally, parent-child relationships. The subtype by definition has the same properties, behaviours, and constraints as the super-type plus one or more additional properties, behaviours, or constraints.

Dimension	Type
Goal	Explanatory — ideographic Descriptive — nomothetic Predictive
Target	Individuals Groups/teams Organisations Communities/societies
Topic	Conditions Orientations — overt Actions (behaviour) — covert
Time	Cross-sectional (diachronic) Longitudinal (synchronic) Cyclical
Control	Experimental Correctional Observational
Application	Basic research Applied research Action research Contract research
Data generating	Non-empirical (theoretical) Empirical (qualitative and/or quantitative)

Source: University of Johannesburg, Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management — I recently had the privilege of attending a study leaders' workshop.