There are three types of research through which consultants can conduct their research: causal, descriptive, and relational research. The choice of any of the following methods depends on the situation that faces the consultant and the advantages and limitations involved with the choice made.
Causal research involves conducting research while investigating the effect of one or more related variables for the expected outcome variables. The research determines if one variable leads to the outcome of a certain variable and what would happen if modifications were made on the variable. An example of a causal and effect research would entail altering the amount of time spent on the treatment of a problem and then measuring the resulting effects from the sample.
The second type of conducting research which I, as a consultant, can use is the descriptive method of research. As a consultant, if I could use this method, it would be to depict or establish what already exists in a group or population and then describe it when analyzing the results. From the descriptions, I can then be able to give way forward depending on what has been done in similar cases; as a consultant, I would try to investigate the relationship between two or more variables. The variables should already be in the population and then try to investigate the relevance of one variable compared to the other.