ABSTRACT
A descriptive design portrays characteristics, both static and dynamic, and works from either a question or a hypothesis, depending on the state of current knowledge. Descriptive studies can be launched from either a question or a hypothesis. Descriptive design is called for when one's overall aim is to describe a phenomenon, as in a physical environment or the characteristics of a relationship or demographics, nature of attitudes, level of knowledge, service utilization. Descriptive studies are interested in generalization, drawing inferences about a large population of interest from a sample. Random sampling and measurement are central to descriptive design. Measurement refers to the reliability and validity of the instrument for study, random sampling is a method of selecting cases to study that gives each one an equal chance of being included. Descriptive studies can contribute a great deal to our understanding by providing what are often referred to as corrective experiences.
