Often when providing services, basic intake information is required.  The researcher could, at the end of a given time period, examine these intake papers and, based on some need, compute descriptive statistics using information provided by the clients / participants.  Information such as income, family make up, and education levels could be used to compute mean values.  However, you may be asked to configure a study that can be called experimental.  In this discussion forum you are asked to compare these two formats and identify in what ways they differ.  In order to determine definitions of descriptive research, you will need to access  Introduction to statistics, variables, scares of measurement, Excel 2010 statistics 14: Descriptive & inferential statistics,  Basic research concepts, and  The Office of Research Integrity.  Your post should focus on differentiating these two research types and then discuss their potential contribution to research in health and human services