UNIT- 4

THE RESEARCH DESIGN

Concept of research design
 Research design is the important step in any research
work.
 After the researcher has formulated the research
problem, the research design must be developed.
 A research design is a master plan specifying the
methods and procedures for collecting and analyzing the
needed information.
 It is a framework of the research plan of action.
 It constitutes the blueprint for the collection, measuring
and analysis of data.
 It is the plan, structure and strategy of investigation
conceived so as to obtain answers to research questions.
Need for research design
Research design is needed because:
 It facilitates the smooth sailing of the research
operation.
 It makes research project as efficient as possible and
help to yield maximum information with minimum
expenditure, time and effort.
 It helps the researcher to organize his ideas in a form
where by it will be possible for him to look for flaws
and inadequacies.
 It will be given to others for their comment and
critical evaluation.
 In absence of such course of action, it will be difficult
for the critics to provide comprehensive review of
the proposed study.
Important features of research design
The design is an activity-and –time based plan.
The design is always based on the research
question.
The design guides the selection of sources and
types of information.
The design is a framework for specifying the
relationships among the study’s variables.
The design outlines procedure for every research
activity.
Essentials of a good research design
It is a plan that specifies the objectives of the
study and the hypotheses to be tested.
It is an outline that specifies the sources and
types of information relevant to the research
questions.
It is a blueprint specifying the methods to be
adopted for gathering and analyzing the data.
It is a scheme defining the domain of
generalizability, i.e., whether the obtained
information can be generalized to a larger
population or to different situations.
Classification of research design (typology of RD)
Preparation of the research design/plan
 Planning involves deciding things in advance.
 Accordingly the preparation of a research plan involves a
careful considerations of the following questions and
making appropriate decision on them.
 What the study is about?
 Why is the made?
 What is its scope?
 What are the objectives of the study?
 What are the propositions to be tested?
 What are the major concepts to be defined
operationally?
 On the basis of what criteria or measurements, the
operational definitions to be made?
 When or in what place the study will be conducted?
 What is the reference period of the study?
 What is the typology of the design?
 What kinds of data are needed?
 What are the sources of data?
 What is the universe from which the sample as to
be drawn?
 What is the sample size?
 What sampling techniques to be used?
 What methods are to be adopted for collecting data?
 What tools are to be used for collecting data?
 How the data are to be processed?
 What techniques of analysis are to be adopted?
 What is the significance of the study?
 To what target audience the reporting of the
findings is meant?
What is the type of report to be prepared?
What is the time period required for each stage of
research work?
What is the time limit within which the whole
work should be completed?
What is the cost involved?
The contents of a research plan /proposal
After making decisions on the above questions, a
formal research plan/proposal is drafted,
incorporating those decisions.
The format may vary depending on the purpose
for which the study is undertaken, but, in general,
the research plan/proposal of a research
student/academician may cover the following
essential sections.
Title
Research proposal title should demarcate the
main focus/ or theme of the proposed study.
The title should accurately reflect the scope and
content of the study.
In addition, it should be concise, simple and
catchy in not more than 20 words.
It should be concise and descriptive.
Abstract
It is a brief summary of approximately 300 words
(more or less).
It should include the research objective, the
rationale for the study, the hypothesis (if any),
methodology of the study and expected output.
It should also be separate page, one paragraph,
single space and italic in format.
Background of the Study (Justification of the
Study)
Rationale or reason or motive for conducting the
research.
Background of the Organization (Optional)
Introducing the organization where the research
will be undertaken.
Statement of the Problem
Under it, why and how the problem is selected
are stated.
The research problem should be clearly defined,
pointing out its core nature and its importance.
The issue relating to the problem may also be
stated.
This statement gives direction to the research
process.
 Objectives of the study (State what your research
hopes to accomplish) or (Here you can write about the aims and
goals of the research and what will you achieve generally and
specifically)
– General Objectives
– Specific Objectives
(Or)
 Research Questions (State what your research hopes
to get answers to the questions)
– General Questions
– Specific Questions
Conceptual model
This section is the heart of the research plan.
This is where the researcher formulates and
develops the structure of relationships among the
variables he is investigating.
The logical connection of the variables is
delineated.
The assumptions, and propositions used to
develop the explanatory framework are included.
The entire research project rests upon the
theoretical framework.
Research Hypotheses (If applicable)
These are logically deducted from the theoretical
frame work above.
These refer to the anticipated outcome or
possible answers to the research questions.
They should be conceptually clear, specific and
simple.
The sources of their formulation may be
indicated.
The specific hypotheses to be tested are stated.
Operational definition of concepts
The major concepts used in the title of the study,
its objectives, the investigative questions and the
hypotheses should be identified.
Each of them should be defined in operational
terms relevant to the measurement criteria or
operations.
Significance or Importance or Need for the Study
It is important to point out the relevance and
significance of the investigation.
What would be the value of the findings of the
study for policy formulation, theory or practice?
Can the findings contribute to the enrichment of
theory and/or to the solution of some practical
problems?
A careful statement of the value of the study and
the possible applications of its finding helps to
justify its importance and social relevance.
Scope of the Study
It provides the boundary or framework.
The dimensions of the study in terms of the
geographical area covered, the designation of the
population being studied, and the level of
generality of the study are specified.
Organization of the Paper
It is a plan for how many and what chapters will
be contained in the paper.
Review of the previous studies
 An empirical literature review summarizes the
nature of studies which have been already done
in the field of proposed research.
 It will bring out the gaps and arguments in the
existing research that support the need of the
proposed research, and how the proposed
research will fill those gaps.
Methodology
This section gives the details of how the researcher will
carry out the proposed research.
Typology of research design ( Give your reason)
Data type
- Qualitative
- Quantitative
Data Source
- Primary (specify)
- Secondary (specify)
Data collection instruments (specify clearly and why)
Sample design and sample size (give your reasons)
Data processing procedures
Data analysis techniques
Time Schedule
 How much time it will take to carry out the
research, starting from proposal preparation to
final submission of the final paper.
Budget Schedule
 It is a plan for presenting how much cost will be
incurred to carry out the research.
References/Bibliography
 Make sure these follow a recognized format, and
do so consistently.
 References: are lists of
literature,which have been
cited in the text of a document.
 Bibliography: includes also items, which are not
cited but are relevant to the document.