Module 2 Part 1 Research Design

Research design
Module 2
Research design
A research design is the plan or framework used to
conduct a research study.
 It involves outlining the overall approach and methods
that will be used to collect and analyze data in order to
answer research questions or test hypotheses.
the research design is the conceptual structure within
which research is conducted.
it constitutes the blueprint for the collection, measurement
and analysis of data.
A research design should answer the
following questions
• i) What is the study about?
• (ii) Why is the study being made?
• (iii) Where will the study be carried out?
• (iv) What type of data is required?
• (v) Where can the required data be found?
• (vi) What periods of time will the study include?
• (vii) What will be the sample design?
• (viii) What techniques of data collection will be used?
• (ix) How will the data be analysed?
• (x) In what style will the report be prepared?
Characteristics of
Reliability research design
consistency
in Validity
measuremen
minimization
t over
of Neutrality
repeated
nonrandom
measures free of pre- Generalizab
(systematic) Flexibility
and fewer conceived ility
errors.
random notions
errors What it
intends to
Repeatability
measure
of
measuremen
t
Identification of research problem
Steps in research Identifying research gap
Identification of Sources of information
Nature of study
design
Setting of objective of the study or hypothesis
Scope of the study
Identification of variable
Period
Dimension
Technique of study
Control of error
RESEARCH DESIGN
for various
research
Types of Research
Design
•RD for Exploratory studies
•RD for Descriptive
•RD for Diagnostic studies
•RD for Experimental studies
I - EXPLORATORY RESEARCH
DESIGN
• Exploratory research is the Initial research
conducted to clarify and define the nature of a
problem
• It is a preliminary study of a new problem about
which the researcher has little or no knowledge.
• The main purpose of exploratory research is the
formulation of the problem. Therefore it is
called formulative research.
• As it is unstructured, there is no specific steps
prescribed for exploratory research.
Features of Exploratory research design
• It is a preliminary study
• Simple and most loosely structured
(unstructured data collection
instrument may be used)
• Low cost
• Flexible in its approach (Flexible design)
• Mostly qualitative investigation
Features of Exploratory research design
• Sample size may not be representative

(Probability sampling may not be possible)
• Tries to answer basic questions
• Further research expected
• No set of rules or standards to carry out the
research
• No pre-planned statistical design possible
Methods of Exploratory Research
Exploratory research can be conducted by any
one of the following method.
• Observation
• Literature Survey.
• Experience Survey.
• Focus Group discussion
• Study of insight stimulating cases (Case study)
• Analysis of secondary data.
Observation:
• It is qualitative research technique where researchers
observe participants' ongoing behavior in a natural
situation.
• Observation schedule may be prepared in advance to
make the observation structured and effective
Literature Survey
• It is the survey or review of scholarly knowledge on the
topic.
• Both conceptual and empirical literature may be
reviewed.
• Finding of the earlier works may be reviewed and its
usefulness in the current problem may be evaluated.
Experience survey
• It the survey involving participants who have
knowledge of the research problem.
Experience survey helps in applying the
proficiency of experts in the field to explore
the problem.
Focus Group Discussion
• The method aims to obtain data from a
purposely selected group of individuals
participating in the discussion guided by a
moderator.
Study of insight stimulating cases (Case Study):
• It is the intensive study of one or a few
selected complex situations or cases relevant
to the topic or problem. All incidence and
phenomena that stimulate the researcher can
be analysed.
Analysis of secondary data
• It is the analysis of secondary data from
published or unpublished sources. Data may
be collected from print & online sources.
II- DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH DESIGN
• Descriptive research is a research that describe

the characteristics of the population
• Mostly focuses on what questions
• Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-
finding enquiries of different kinds
• A descriptive study is one in which information is
collected without changing the environment (i.e.,
nothing is manipulated).
• Researcher has no control over the variables, only
observes and measures the variables.
Descriptive Research Design
• It is used to describe what is in existence in respect to
conditions or variables that are found in a given
situation.
• It is a quantitative research
• It consist of cross sectional and longitudinal studies.
But, mostly Cross sectional studies.
• Descriptive research is appropriate when the research
aim is to identify characteristics, measure data trends,
conduct comparisons, validate existing conditions etc.
• Example. Market research to analyse the behaviour of
consumers
Methods of Descriptive
Research
• Observations: Observing and recording participants'
ongoing behavior in a natural situation.
• Surveys: Collecting data from a pre-determined
group of respondents by asking questions by means
of interview schedule and questionnaire.
• Case Study: It is an in-depth study of single case, a
social unit or situation to understand a complex
issue.
Major Steps in conducting descriptive research
• Identify problem
• Review of literature
• Select participants and instruments
(Methodology design)
• Collection of data
• Analysis of data
• Generalisation/ Interpretation of results
• Preparation of report
III : DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH
DESIGN
• Diagnostic research is the research conducted to identify the
causes of a problem and to find possible solutions
• It determines the frequency of occurrence of something and its
association with something else.
• Generally descriptive in nature
• It is an applied research
• Handling why questions
• Mostly quantitative
• Mostly Cross sectional
• Described cause and effect relationships
Stages of Diagnostic Studies
• Identification of the problem
• Identification of information needed to solve the problem
• Selection or development of instruments for gathering
the information
• Identification of target population and determination of
sampling procedure
• Design of procedure for information collection
• Collection of information
• Analysis of information
• Generalizations and/or predictions
• Recommendations /suggestions for the problem solution
IV: EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
DESIGN
What is Experimental Research?
• Experimental research is a scientific approach to
research
• It deals with the why questions.
• It is the research in which the effect of the
independent variables on the dependent variables is
usually observed and recorded.
• One or more independent variables are manipulated
and applied to one or more dependent variables to
measure their effect on dependent variable.
What is Experimental
Research?
• The objective of experimental research is to test
hypotheses about cause and effect relationship.
• Researcher has control over variables
• Quantitative in nature
• Experimental research allows to test the idea in a
controlled environment
• After analyzing the results, findings can be applied to
similar ideas or situations.
Experimental Research Design
• It is the blueprint of the
procedure to be adopted
in experimental
research.
• It refers to the
conceptual framework
within which an
experiment is
conducted.
Types of Experimental
Design
• Pre-experimental research design:
• They often happen before a true experiment is
conducted.
• In pre-experimental research design, one or
more dependent variables (Experimental
group) are observed to measure the effect of
an independent variable (Control group)
• In pre-experimental research, researcher has
very little control over the experiment and
variables.
Types of Experimental Design… Continuing
• Two types of pre-experimental research

designs are
• One shot case design: Test only after the
experiment (Ex. Set control groups &
experimental groups – experiment – Post test)
• One group pre-test post-test design: Test
before and after experiment (Ex. Set control
groups & experimental groups – pre-test –
experiment – post test.
Types of Experimental Design …
Continuing
• True Experimental Research Design:
• In true experiment, researcher manipulate the
independent variables (control group) to measure the
impact on dependent variables.
• Control and experimental groups are randomly assigned.
• Quasi Experimental Research Design:
• It is similar to true experiment but used in situations
where randomization is difficult.
Steps involved in conducting Experimental Study
• Identify and define the problem

• Review relevant literature
• Specify independent and dependent variables
• Formulate hypothesis
• Construct an experimental design (select method,
instruments, place, time, duration etc.)
• Conduct the experiment
• Organise and analyse the data (apply test)
• Present findings and conclusions as a report
Summary
RESEARCH Explorative
DESIGN Descriptive
Diagnostic
Experimental

Module 2 Part 1 Research Design

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Module 2 Part 1 Research Design

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Research design

Identification of Sources of information

Setting of objective of the study or hypothesis

Scope of the study

• Sample size may not be representative

• Descriptive research is a research that describe

• Two types of pre-experimental research

• Identify and define the problem

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