Research Design Definition

Research design is defined as a framework of methods and techniques

chosen by a researcher to combine various components of research in a
reasonably logical manner so that the research problem is efficiently handled.
It provides insights about “how” to conduct research using a particular
methodology. Every researcher has a list of research questions which need to
be assessed – this can be done with research design.

The sketch of how research should be conducted can be prepared using

research design. Hence, the market research study will be carried out on the
basis of research design.

The design of a research topic is used to explain the type of research

(experimental, survey, correlational, semi-experimental, review) and also its
sub-type (experimental design, research problem, descriptive case-study).
There are three main sections of research design: Data collection,
measurement, and analysis.

The type of research problem an organization is facing will determine the

research design and not vice-versa. Variables, designated tools to gather
information, how will the tools be used to collect and analyze data and other
factors are decided in research design on the basis of a research technique is
decided.

An impactful research design usually creates minimum bias in data and

increases trust on the collected and analyzed research information. Research
design which produces the least margin of error in experimental research can
be touted as the best. The essential elements of research design are:

1. Accurate purpose statement of research design

2. Techniques to be implemented for collecting details for research
3. Method applied for analyzing collected details
4. Type of research methodology
5. Probable objections for research
6. Settings for research study
7. Timeline
8. Measurement of analysis

Research Design Characteristics

There are four key characteristics of research design:

Neutrality: The results projected in research design should be free from bias
and neutral. Understand opinions about the final evaluated scores and
conclusion from multiple individuals and consider those who agree with the
derived results.

Reliability: If a research is conducted on a regular basis, the researcher

involved expects similar results to be calculated every time. Research design
should indicate how the research questionscan be formed to ensure the
standard of obtained results and this can happen only when the research
design is reliable.

Validity: There are multiple measuring tools available for research design but
valid measuring tools are those which help a researcher in gauging results
according to the objective of research and nothing else.
The questionnaire developed from this research design will be then valid.

Generalization: The outcome of research design should be applicable to a

population and not just a restricted sample. Generalization is one of the key
characteristics of research design.

Types of Research Design

A researcher must have a clear understanding of the various types of
research design to select which type of research design to implement for a
study. Research design can be broadly classified into quantitative and
qualitative research design.

Qualitative Research Design: Qualitative research is implemented in cases

where a relationship between collected data and observation is established on
the basis of mathematical calculations. Theories related to a naturally existing
phenomenon can be proved or disproved using mathematical calculations.
Researchers rely on qualitative research design where they are expected to
conclude “why” a particular theory exists along with “what” respondents have
to say about it.

Quantitative Research Design: Quantitative research is implemented in

cases where it is important for a researcher to have statistical conclusions to
collect actionable insights. Numbers provide a better perspective to make
important business decisions. Quantitative research design is important for
the growth of any organization because any conclusion drawn on the basis of
numbers and analysis will only prove to be effective for the business.

Further, research design can be divided into five types –

1. Descriptive Research Design: In a descriptive research design, a

researcher is solely interested in describing the situation or case under his/her
research study. It is a theory-based research design which is created by
gather, analyze and presents collected data. By implementing an in-depth
research design such as this, a researcher can provide insights into the why
and how of research.

2. Experimental Research Design: Experimental research design is used to

establish a relationship between the cause and effect of a situation. It is a
causal research design where the effect caused by the independent variable
on the dependent variable is observed. For example, the effect of an
independent variable such as price on a dependent variable such as customer
satisfaction or brand loyalty is monitored. It is a highly practical research
design method as it contributes towards solving a problem at hand. The
independent variables are manipulated to monitor the change it has on the
dependent variable. It is often used in social sciences to observe human
behavior by analyzing two groups – affect of one group on the other.

3. Correlational Research Design: Correlational research is a non-

experimental research design technique which helps researchers to establish
a relationship between two closely connected variables. Two different groups
are required to conduct this research design method. There is no assumption
while evaluating a relationship between two different variables and statistical
analysis techniques are used to calculate the relationship between them.

Correlation between two variables is concluded using a correlation coefficient,

whose value ranges between -1 and +1. If the correlation coefficient is
towards +1, it indicates a positive relationship between the variables and -1
indicates a negative relationship between the two variables.

4. Diagnostic Research Design: In the diagnostic research design, a

researcher is inclined towards evaluating the root cause of a specific topic.
Elements that contribute towards a troublesome situation are evaluated in this
research design method.
 There are three parts of diagnostic research design:

 Inception of the issue

 Diagnosis of the issue
 Solution for the issue
5. Explanatory Research Design: In exploratory research design, the
researcher’s ideas and thoughts are key as it is primarily dependent on their
personal inclination about a particular topic. Explanation about unexplored
aspects of a subject is provided along with details about what, how and why
related to the research questions.

Types of Research Methods

Business research methods can be defined as “a systematic ad scientific procedure of data
collection, compilation, analysis, interpretation, and implication pertaining to any
business problem”[1]. Types of research methods can be classified into several categories
according to the nature and purpose of the study and other attributes. In methodology
chapter of your dissertation, you are expected to specify and discuss the type of your
research according to the following classifications.

General Classification of Types of Research

Methods
Types of research methods can be broadly divided into
two quantitative and qualitativecategories.
Quantitative research “describes, infers, and resolves problems using numbers. Emphasis
is placed on the collection of numerical data, the summary of those data and the drawing
of inferences from the data”[2].
Qualitative research, on the other hand, is based on words, feelings, emotions, sounds and
other non-numerical and unquantifiable elements. It has been noted that “information is
considered qualitative in nature if it cannot be analysed by means of mathematical
techniques. This characteristic may also mean that an incident does not take place often
enough to allow reliable data to be collected”[3]
Types of Research Methods According to
Nature of the Study
Types of the research methods according to the nature of research can be divided into two
groups: descriptive and analytical. Descriptive research usually involves surveys and
studies that aim to identify the facts. In other words, descriptive research mainly deals
with the “description of the state of affairs as it is at present”[4], and there is no control
over variables in descriptive research.
Analytical research, on the other hand, is fundamentally different in a way that “the
researcher has to use facts or information already available and analyse these in order to
make a critical evaluation of the material”.[5]

Types of Research Methods According to the

Purpose of the Study
According to the purpose of the study, types of research methods can be divided into two
categories: applied research and fundamental research. Applied research is also referred
to as an action research, and the fundamental research is sometimes called basic or pure
research. The table below summarizes the main differences between applied research and
fundamental research.[6] Similarities between applied and fundamental (basic) research
relate to the adoption of a systematic and scientific procedure to conduct the study.[7]
Applied Research Fundamental Research

§ Aims to solve a problem by adding to the field of

§ Tries to eliminate the theory by adding to the basics of application of a discipline
a discipline
§ Often several disciplines work together for
§ Problems are analysed from the point of one solving the problem
discipline
§ Often researches individual cases without the aim
§ Generalisations are preferred to generalise
§ Forecasting approach is implemented § Aims to say how things can be changed
§ Assumes that other variables do not change § Acknowledges that other variables are constant
by changing
§ Reports are compiled in a language of technical
language of discipline § Reports are compiled in a common language
 Differences between applied and fundamental research

Types of Research Methods according to

Research Design
On the basis of research design the types of research methods can be divided into two
groups – exploratory and conclusive. Exploratory studies only aim to explore the research
area and they do not attempt to offer final and conclusive answers to research questions.
Conclusive studies, on the contrary, aim to provide final and conclusive answers to
research questions.
Table below illustrates the main differences between exploratory and conclusive research
designs:

Exploratory research Conclusive research

Well structured and systematic in

Structure Loosely structured in desing design

Have a formal and definitive

Are flexible and investigative in methodology that needs to be
Methodology methodology followed and tested

Most conclusive researches are

Do not involve testing of carried out to test the formulated
Hypotheses hypotheses hypotheses

Findings might be topic specific

and might not have much Findings are significant as they
relevance outside of researcher’s have a theoretical or applied
Findings domain implication

Main differences between exploratory and conclusive research[8]