RESEARCH DESIGN

A research design is a broad plan that states objectives of research project and provides the
guidelines what is to be done to realize those objectives. It is, in other words, a master plan
for executing a research project.

INTRODUCTION:
The word ‘design’ has various meanings. But, in relation to the subject concern, it is a pattern
or an outline of research project’s workings. It is the statement of essential elements of a
study that provides basic guidelines of conducting the project. It is same as the blue print of
architect’s work.

The research design is similar to broad plan or model that states how the entire research
project would be conducted. It is desirable that it must be in written form and must be simple
and clearly stated. The real project is carried out as per the research design laid down in
advance.

MEANING

research design is a strategic framework for action that serves as a bridge between research
questions and the execution, or implementation of the research strategy.

RESEARCH DESIGN DEFINITION

Research design is the framework of research methods and techniques chosen by a

researcher. The design allows researchers to hone in on research methods that are suitable for
the subject matter and set up their studies up for success.

According to Kerlinger

Research design is the plan, structure and strategy of investigation conceived so as to obtain
answers to research questions and to control variance.
 The design of a research topic explains 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 types of research design:

 Data collection,
 measurement,
 analysis.

ELEMENTS OF THE RESEARCH DESIGN ARE:

1. Accurate purpose statement

2. Techniques to be implemented for collecting and analyzing research
3. The method applied for analyzing collected details
4. Type of research methodology
5. Probable objections for research
6. Settings for the research study
7. Timeline
8. Measurement of analysis
Proper research design sets your study up for success. Successful research studies provide
insights that are accurate and unbiased. You’ll need to create a survey that meets all of the
main characteristics of a design.

CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH DESIGN:

Neutrality: When you set up your study, you may have to make assumptions about the data
you expect to collect. The results projected in the 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: With regularly conducted research, the researcher involved expects similar

results every time. Your design should indicate how to form research questions to ensure the
standard of results. You’ll only be able to reach the expected results if your design is reliable.
Validity: There are multiple measuring tools available. However, the only correct measuring
tools are those which help a researcher in gauging results according to the objective of the
research. The questionnaire developed from this design will then be valid.

Generalization: The outcome of your design should apply to a population and not just a
restricted sample. A generalized design implies that your survey can be conducted on any
part of a population with similar accuracy.

The above factors affect the way respondents answer the research questions and so all the
above characteristics should be balanced in a good design.

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

Qualitative research design: Qualitative research determines relationships between

collected data and observations based on mathematical calculations. Theories related to a
naturally existing phenomenon can be proved or disproved using statistical methods.
Researchers rely on qualitative research design methods that conclude “why” a particular
theory exists along with “what” respondents have to say about it.

Quantitative research design: Quantitative research is for cases where statistical

conclusions to collect actionable insights are essential. Numbers provide a better perspective
to make critical business decisions. Quantitative research design methods are necessary for
the growth of any organization. Insights drawn from hard numerical data and analysis prove
to be highly effective when making decisions related to the future of the business.

You can further break down the types of research design into five categories:

1. Descriptive research design: In a descriptive design, a researcher is solely interested in

describing the situation or case under their research study. It is a theory-based design method
which is created by gathering, analyzing, and presenting collected data. This allows a
researcher to provide insights into the why and how of research. Descriptive design helps
others better understand the need for the research. If the problem statement is not clear, you
can conduct exploratory research. 

2. Experimental research design: Experimental research design establishes a relationship

between the cause and effect of a situation. It is a causal design where one observes the
impact caused by the independent variable on the dependent variable. For example, one
monitors the influence of an independent variable such as a price on a dependent variable
such as customer satisfaction or brand loyalty. It is a highly practical research design method
as it contributes to 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. Researchers can have participants change
their actions and study how the people around them react to gain a better understanding of
social psychology.

3. Correlational research design: Correlational research is a non-experimental research

design technique that helps researchers establish a relationship between two closely
connected variables. This type of research requires two different groups. There is no
assumption while evaluating a relationship between two different variables, and statistical
analysis techniques calculate the relationship between them.

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

4. Diagnostic research design: In diagnostic design, the researcher is looking to evaluate the
underlying cause of a specific topic or phenomenon. This method helps one learn more about
the factors that create troublesome situations. 

This design has three parts of the research:

· Inception of the issue

· Diagnosis of the issue

· Solution for the issue

5. Explanatory research design: Explanatory design uses a researcher’s ideas and thoughts

on a subject to further explore their theories. The research explains unexplored aspects of a
subject and details about what, how, and why of research questions.

Concepts:

 Effectiveness ,Satisfaction, Impact Excellent, High achiever

 Self-esteem ,Rich Domestic violence, Extentand pattern ofalcoholconsumption etc.
 Subjective impression
 Assuchcannot be measured
 Nouniformity

Need of Research design

 It reduces inaccuracy;
 Helps to get maximum efficiency and reliability;
 Eliminates bias and marginal errors;
 Minimizes wastage of time;
 Helpful for collecting research materials;
 Helpful for testing of hypothesis;
 Gives an idea regarding the type of resources required in terms of money, manpower,
time, and efforts;
 Provides an overview to other experts;
 Guides the research in the right direction.

Purposes of Research Design

• Establishes that the independent and dependent variables are causally related.

• Compare, manipulation, control, and the ability to generalize findings

• Views Of Research
 Post positivism Constructivism
 Determination  Understanding
 Reductionism  Multiple participant meanings
 Empirical observation and measurement  Social and historical construction
 Theory verification  Theory generation

Advocacy/Participatory Pragmatism
 Political  Consequences of actions
 Empowerment issue-oriented  Problem-centered
 Collaborative  Pluralistic
 Change-oriented  Real-world practice oriented

Research Methods
 Quantitative Methods Mixed Qualitative Methods
Methods
 Pre-determined  Both pre-determined  Emerging methods
 Instrument-based and emerging methods  Open-ended questions
questions  Both open- and closed-  Interview, observation,
 Performance, attitude, ended questions document, and audio-
observational, and  Multiple forms of data visual data
census data drawing on all  Text and image
 Statistical analyses possibilities analyses
 Statistical interpretation  Statistical and text  Themes, patterns
analyses interpretation
 Across databases
interpretation

Research Design
 Tend to or Qualitative Approaches Quantitative Mixed Methods
typically... Approaches Approaches
Use these  Positions him- or  Tests of verifies  Collects both
practices of herself theories or quantitative
research,  Collects participant explanations and qualitative
as the meanings  Identifies data
researcher  Focuses on a single variables to  Develops a
concept or study rationale for
phenomenon  Relates mixing
 Brings personal variables in  Integrates the
values into the study questions or data at
 Studies the context hypotheses different stages
or setting of  Uses standards of inquiry
participants of validity and  Presents visual
 Validates the reliability pictures of the
accuracy of findings  Observes and procedures in
 Makes interpretations measures the study
of the data information  Employs the
 Creates an agenda for numerically practices of
change or reform  Uses unbiased both qualitative
 Collaborates with the approaches and
participants  Employs quantitative
statistical research
procedures
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING A RESEARCH DESIGN

 The Research Problem

 An issue or concern that needs to be addressed
 If the problem calls for
 Explanation or theory testing: Quantitative
 Exploration or understanding: Qualitative
 One approach alone is inadequate: Mixed methods
 Personal Experiences
 Training, preferences, time, resources
 Audience
 Advisors, journal editors, graduate committees, etc.

TYPES OF RESEARCH DESIGN

• Descriptive (e.g., case-study, naturalistic observation, Survey)

• Correlational (e.g., case-control study, observational study)

 • Semi-experimental (e.g., field experiment, quasi-experiment)

• Experimental (Experiment with random assignment)

• Review (Literature review, Systematic review)

Meta-analytic (Meta-analysis, i.e., using statistical methods for contrasting and combining
results from different studies to identify patterns among study results, sources

Descriptive Design

Definition and Purpose

Descriptive research designs help provide answers to the questions of who, what, when,
where, and how associated with a particular research problem;

Descriptive research is used to obtain information concerning the current status of the
phenomena and to describe "what exists" with respect to variables or conditions in a situation

What do these studies tell you?

 The subject is being observed in a completely natural and unchanged natural

environment.
 Descriptive research is often used as a pre-cursor to more quantitative research
designs.
 If the limitations are understood, they can be a useful tool in developing a more
focused study.
 Does. studies can yield rich data that lead to important recommendations in practice.
 Approach collects a large amount of data for detailed analysis.

Case control design

Definition and Purpose

 A case study is an in-depth study of a particular research problem rather than a sweeping
statistical survey or comprehensive comparative inquiry. It is often used to narrow down a
very broad field of research into one or a few easily researchable examples

The case study research design is also useful for testing whether a specific theory and
model actually applies to phenomena in the real world

What do these studies tell you?

 Approach excels at bringing us to an understanding of a complex issue through

detailed contextual analysis of a limited number of events or conditions and their
relationships.
 A researcher using a case study design can apply a variety of methodologies.

Experimental Designs

1`The "One-Shot Case Study

Treatment Post-test
X O
No control group. This design has virtually no internal or external validity

Treatment Post-test
X O
O
2 Group, Post-test Comparison

The main advantage of this design is randomization. The post-test comparison with
randomized subjects controls for the main effects of history, maturation, and pre-testing;
because no pre-test is used there can be no interaction effect of pre-test and X. Another
advantage of this design is that it can be extended to include more than two groups if
necessary
Group Pre-test Treatment Post-test
Experimental group = E O X O
(R)
Control Group =C (R) O O
One group Pre-test, Post-test

The main weakness of this research design is the internal validity is questioned from the
interaction between such variables as selection and maturation or selection and testing

The advantage here is the randomization, so that any differences that appear in the posttest
should be the result of the experimental variable rather than possible difference between the
two groups to start with. This is the classical type of experimental design and has good
internal validity. The external validity or generalizability of the study is limited by the
possible effect of pre-testing

Two groups, Random Selection, Pre-test, Post-test

Group Pre-test Treatment Post-test

Experimental group O X O
=E
Control Group = C O O

Solomon Four Design

This design overcomes the external validity weakness

Meta Analysis design

Definition and Purpose

Meta-analysis is an analytical methodology designed to systematically evaluate and

summarize the results from a number of individual studies, thereby, increasing the overall
sample size and the ability of the researcher to study effects of interest and to develop a new
understanding of a research problem using synoptic reasoning.

What do these studies tell you?

 Can be an effective strategy for determining gaps in the literature.

 Provides a means of reviewing research published about a particular topic over an
extended period of time and from a variety of sources.
 Is useful in clarifying what policy or programmatic actions can be justified on the
basis of analyzing research results from multiple studies.
 Provides a method for overcoming small sample sizes in individual studies that
previously may have had little relationship to each other.
 Can be used to generate new hypotheses or highlight research problems for future
studies.

Mixed-Method Design

Definition and Purpose

Mixed method is characterized by a focus on research problems that require, 1) an

examination of real-life contextual understandings, multi-level perspectives, and cultural
influences; 2) an intentional application of rigorous quantitative research 3) an objective of
drawing on the strengths of quantitative and qualitative data gathering techniques

What do these studies tell you?

 Narrative and non-textual information

 A broader, more complex research problem can be investigated
 The strengths of one method can be used to overcome the inherent weaknesses of
another method.
 Can provide stronger, more robust evidence to support a conclusion or set of
recommendations.
 May generate new knowledge new insights or uncover hidden insights,
 Produces more complete knowledge and understanding of the research problem
Historical Design

Definition and Purpose

The purpose of a historical research design is to collect, verify, and synthesize evidence from
the past to establish facts that defend or refute a hypothesis.

It uses secondary sources and a variety of primary documentary evidence, such as, diaries,
official records, reports, archives, and non-textual information [maps, pictures, audio and
visual recordings].

What do these studies tell you?

 The historical research design is unobtrusive;

 The historical approach is well suited for trend analysis.
 Historical records can add important contextual background required to more
 There is often no possibility of researcher-subject interaction
 Historical sources can be used over and over to study different research problems or
to replicate a previous study.

REVIEW

 A systematic review identifies, appraises and synthesizes research evidence

 A narrative review summarizes different primary studies from which conclusions may
be drawn into a holistic interpretation
 An Integrative Research Review synthesizes the accumulated state of knowledge on
similar or related educational topics
 A theoretical review describes in a critical way the evolution of theories and the way
they are understood in different contexts
 A methodological review describes employed research designs, methods and
procedures in educational research
 A thematic review describes particular areas of the literature or particular educational
approaches or learning models
 A historical review is a survey of the development of a particular field of study
 empirical study that investigates the outcomes of the review.
Longitudinal Design

Definition and Purpose

A longitudinal study follows the same sample over time and makes repeated observations.

For example, with longitudinal surveys, the same group of people is interviewed at regular
intervals, enabling researchers to track changes over time and to relate them to variables that
might explain why the changes occurs

Longitudinal research designs describe patterns of change and help establish the direction and
magnitude of causal relationships

What do these studies tell you?

 Longitudinal data facilitate the analysis of the duration of a particular phenomenon.

 Enables survey researchers to get close to the kinds of causal explanations usually
attainable only with experiments.
 The design permits the measurement of differences or change in a variable from one
period to another [i.e., the description of patterns of change over time].
 Longitudinal studies facilitate the prediction of future outcomes based upon earlier
factors

Philosophical Design

Definition and Purpose

philosophical analysis and argumentation is intended to challenge deeply embedded, often

intractable, assumptions underpinning an area of study. This approach uses the tools of
argumentation derived from philosophical traditions, concepts, models, and theories to
critically explore and challenge

Ontology -- the study that describes the nature of reality; for example, what is real and what
is not, what is fundamental and what is derivative?

Epistemology -- the study that explores the nature of knowledge; for example, by what means
does knowledge and understanding depend upon and how can we be certain of what we
know?
Axiology -- the study of values; for example, what values does an individual or group hold
and why? How are values related to interest, desire, will, experience, and means-to-end? And,
what is the difference between a matter of fact and a matter of value?

Contents of Research design

1.Statement of research objectives, i.e., why the research project is to be conducted

2. Type of data needed

3. Definition of population and sampling procedures to be followed

4. Time, costs, and responsibility specification

5. Methods, ways, and procedures used for collection of data

6. Data analysis – tools or methods used to analyze data

7. Probable output or research outcomes and possible actions to be taken based on those
outcomes

Advantages of research design

 Consumes less time.

 Ensures project time schedule.
 Helps researcher to prepare himself to carry out research in a proper and a systematic
way.
 Better documentation of the various activities while the project work is going on.
 Helps in proper planning of the resources and their procurement in right time.
 Provides satisfaction and confidence, accompanied with a sense of success from the
beginning of the work of the research project.

CONCLUSION :

In this assignment I gained more knowledge about research design .I would like to
thank our respected principal mam and faculty for giving this wonderful opportunity.