If you're doing a PhD, you're going to have to do a lot of research; you can't get a PhD without a substantial dissertation.
Masters degrees seem to vary. A lot of PhD programs take 5 years, where the first 2 years is a mix of courses and research. Some PhD students will stop after the first 2 years, and get a master's degree. Others will get a master's degree, and continue on for the next 3 years, and get a PhD. Others will just continue to get a PhD, without a masters.
There are one year master's degrees, two year master's degrees, primarily course based master's, primarily research based master's, etc.
It also varies from country to country. In Canada, for instance, a master's degree in a scientific subject (including CS), is more of a big deal. The dissertation is seen as quite important, and is treated almost like a PhD thesis. In fact, usually you can't start in a PhD program until you've completed a master's.
When you say a "research based" program is less encouraged, that would depend. Less encouraged by who? Professors? If by professors, I can only see this for the following reason, which is somewhat specific to the US and the UK. If you're going to do research in these places, might as well try for direct entry into a PhD program -- it could save you time, and you could end up with a master's anyways, if you decide to change directions after a couple of years.