STEP - 4 Research Design 1

The term “research design” can be defined as, The systematic study plan used to turn a research question or research questions into a “testing project” or “experimental study”. OR A research design is a set of advance decisions that make up the master plan specifying the methods and procedures for collecting and analyzing the needed information. Definition of Research Design 2

A research design is the conceptual structure is based on the research questions and can be considered as a "blueprint" for research, addressing at least four of the problems: What questions to study? Which data are relevant? What data to collect? How to analyze the results? 3

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Research Design This involves: This involves: Defining the problem/research question Defining the problem/research question Review of related literature Review of related literature Planning the research Planning the research What methodology will you use? What methodology will you use? What data do you want to use/produce? What data do you want to use/produce? How feasible is your research approach? How feasible is your research approach? 5

What is Research Design? A research design provides the framework for the collection and analysis of data. A research design provides the framework for the collection and analysis of data. A choice of research design reflects decisions about the priority being given to a range of dimensions of the research process. A choice of research design reflects decisions about the priority being given to a range of dimensions of the research process. Involves research method. Involves research method. Research method is simply a technique for collecting data. It can involve a specific instrument, algorithms, procedure. Research method is simply a technique for collecting data. It can involve a specific instrument, algorithms, procedure. 6

Tools of Research The library and its resources The library and its resources The computer and its software The computer and its software Techniques of measurement Techniques of measurement Statistics Statistics Facilities Facilities Tools are not research methods – e.g. library research and statistical research are meaningless terms. Tools are not research methods – e.g. library research and statistical research are meaningless terms. Tools help your research methods. Tools help your research methods. How familiar are you with these tools? 7

What do you need to think about when Designing Research? What is the purpose of the research? What is the purpose of the research? What are your units of analysis? What are your units of analysis? What are your points of focus? What are your points of focus? What is the time dimension? What is the time dimension? Designing a research project: Designing a research project: conceptualisation conceptualisation operationalisation. operationalisation. Reliability, replication and validity. Reliability, replication and validity. 8

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Understanding the Research Design in Detail The research design is used to form a systematic structure of the research procedure and elucidates all of the major parts and tasks (to be carried off) in a research project. It takes into account the study samples or groups, measurements, treatments or programs, and methods of assignment, evaluation and testing which are supposed to work together to try to address the central research questions hence reaching the hypothesis in affirmation or negation. 10

Categorization of Research Design (Design Typology Criteria) : 1. The degree of formulation of problem a. Exploratory or Formulated b. Descriptive, Diagnostic, Analytical 2. The topical scope 3. The search environment, I.e., the field or lab setting a. survey or lab experiment 4. The time dimension a. Cross Sectional (One time) b. Longitudinal, Trend, Developmental 5. The mode of data collection a. Survey b. Observational 11

Categorization of Research Design (Design Typology Criteria) : 6. The manipulation of the variables under study a. Experimental (Hypothesis Testing ) b. Ex post facto 7. The nature of the relationship among variables a. Causal/ Prediction b. Descriptive/ Relational (i) Association (ii) Correlation 8. a. Conceptual ( Fundamental, Basic, Pure) b. Empirical (Applied, Action) 9. a. Conclusion oriented b. Decision oriented 10. a. Qualitative b. Quantitative 12

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