Final answer:
Descriptive research includes methods such as surveys and observation, aimed at describing behaviors and collecting data without establishing cause-and-effect. Surveys can collect data from large samples for generalization, while observation allows for detailed understanding of a particular environment or behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
Descriptive research encompasses various methods used to describe behaviors and phenomena without necessarily trying to infer cause-and-effect relationships. It primarily includes methods such as surveys and observation. Surveys involve collecting data through questionnaires or interviews, allowing researchers to gather information from large samples which can be generalized to the broader population. Observation involves the researcher immersing themselves in the environment to directly see and record behaviors and activities. Unlike experimental research that seeks causality, descriptive research often focuses on correlations and trends within a particular situation or group.
Given the nature of descriptive research, it sometimes faces limitations such as sample size in observational studies, the depth and honesty of self-reported data in surveys, and lack of control in archival research. Nonetheless, these methods hold significant value in research scenarios where other forms of studies, like experimental, may not be ethical or practical. Choosing the correct method is critical and depends largely on the research question, the availability of the subjects, and ethical considerations.