RESEARCH METHODS Lecture 19

ELEMENTS OF RESEARCH DESIGN

Research Design A master plan specifying the methods and procedures for collecting and analyzing the data. A strategy or blueprint that plans the action for carrying through the research data.

Elements Series of components of research design

1. Purpose of the Study Study can be exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory. Present study can’t be exploratory. We have already covered long distance. Can be either descriptive or explanatory. Who, what, where, when, or how much? Why? Explains the relationship.

Purpose determines how rigorous the study will be Decide about the purpose. Within explanatory  Correlational: identification of factors associated with the problem. Causal: establish definite cause-and-effect relationship. Help in deciding the mode of observation.

2. Unit of Analysis Refers to the level of aggregation of the data during data analysis stage. Is it at the individual, or at group, or at organization level. Raise the motivation level of employees. Collect data from individual employees. Aggregate analysis of information collected from individuals. Unit of analysis is individual.

Study two person interaction – then several two person groups will become the unit of analysis (husband-wife, supervisor-subordinate, teacher-student – dyads) Group effectiveness – unit of analysis is group. Comparing different departments in the work organization. Research question determines the unit of analysis. Affects the data collection methods, sampling. Unit of observation. Information provider. Sometimes observe indirectly.

3. Time Dimension Make observation more than one time i.e. over a long period. Cross-sectional studies. Longitudinal studies. Repeated over an extended period. Employees behavior before and after top management change Panel studies Cohort studies

4. Researcher Control of Variables Researcher’s ability to manipulate variables. Experimental design. a. Non-contrived: natural environment. Field experiment. Correlational studies. b. Contrived: artificial setting. Causal Ex-post-facto design. No control over the variables. Report only what has happened or what is happening. Survey research.

5. Mode of observation Depending upon the type of study (qualitative or quantitative, descriptive or causal, cross-sectional or longitudinal, contrived or non- contrived) researcher decides about the mode of observation. Survey, experiment, field observation, case study, focus group, communication analysis.

6. Sampling Design Selecting some of the elements in the population and draw conclusions about the total population. Population element is the subject on which measurement is being taken. Has its advantages and disadvantages. Selection of appropriate sampling design.

7. Observation Tools Questionnaire Interview schedule Interview guide Check list Researcher will specify the instrument along with justification of its appropriateness.

8. Field Data Collection Depending on the mode of observation, the researcher will outline the procedure. Field team selection, training, supervision.

9. Data Processing and Data Analysis Manual vs. mechanical data processing. Quantification of data. Data reduction (score index), tabulation. Data analysis plan: use of statistics, interpretations

Survey Research: An Overview Method of gathering primary data based on communication with a representative sample of individuals. Survey requires asking people (respondents) for information, using either verbal or written questions. Collect data on telephone, face-to-face, or other communication media.

Steps in Conducting Surveys Researcher follows a deductive approach. Begins with theoretical or applied research problem and ends with empirical measurement and data analysis. It has six broad steps.

Decide on the Type of Survey Type of survey  Mail, interview, telephone, computer assisted. Develop the instrument: questionnaire or interview schedule. Both are list of questions. Questionnaire: respondents read the questions themselves and mark answers on the questionnaire. Interview schedule: questions read to the respondent by an interviewer, who also records the answers.

Plan How to Record Data Researcher thinks ahead how the data shall be recorded and organized for analysis. Pilot test survey instrument on similar population.

Decide on Target Population Get sampling frame Decide on sample size Select the sample

4. Do the Field Work Locate sampled respondents in person, telephone, or by mail. Conduct interviews or administer questionnaires Carefully record the data.

5. Data Processing Enter data into computers Data cleaning Tabulation Perform statistical analysis on data.

6. Research Report Describe methods and findings in research report Present findings to others for critique and evaluation

RESEARCH METHODS Lecture 19