Research Design

A research design is the arrangement of conditions for collection and analysis of data in a manner that aims to combine relevance to the research purpose with economy in procedure

The design decisions happen to be in respect of: y What is the study about? y Why is the study being made? y Where will the study be carried out? y What type of data is required? y Where can the required data be found? y What periods of time will the study include? y What will be the sample design? y What techniques of data collection will be used? y How will the data be analyzed? y In what style will the report be prepared?

The overall research design can be split into:

Sampling Design 2. Observational Design 3. Statistical Design 4. Operational Design
1.

Features of a Research Design

1. It is a plan that specifies the sources and types of

information relevant to the research problem 2. It is a strategy specifying which approach will be used for gathering and analyzing data 3. It also includes the time and cost budgets since most studies are done under these two constraints

In short a research design must contain:

y Clear statement of the research problem y Procedures and techniques to be used for gathering

information y The population to be studied y Methods to be used in processing and analyzing data

Features of a good design

y A good design is often characterized by adjectives

like flexible, appropriate, efficient, economical and so on

y Generally the design which minimizes bias and

maximizes the reliability of the data collected and analyzed is considered a good design
y The design which gives the smallest experimental

error is supposed to be the best design

Functions of a research design

y Helps to know what are the things to be observed and

how many observations should be made y It states how should the sample items be selected and what should be the size of the sample y It helps to locate the variable and to manipulate them y To test the relationship between variables and it tells us which statistical method is useful for conducting such tests y To analyze the qualitative and quantitative representation of data y It gives an idea about the conclusion to be drawn from the analysis

A research design appropriate for a particular research problem usually involves the following factors:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

The means of obtaining information The availability and skills of the researcher and his staff, if any The objective of the problem to be studied The nature of the problem to be studied The availability of time and money for the research work

Important concepts
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Dependent and Independent variables Extraneous Variable Control Confounded relationship Research hypothesis Experimental and non-experimental hypothesis testing research Experimental and Control groups Treatments Experiment Experimental units

Dependent and Independent variables:

If one variable depends upon or is a consequence of the other variable, it is termed as dependent variable, and the variable that is antecedent to the dependent variable is termed as an independent variable Eg: If we say height depends upon age, then height is a dependent variable and age is independent variable

Extraneous Variable
Independent variables that are not related to the purpose of the study, but may affect the dependent variable are termed as extraneous variables. Whatever effect is noticed on dependent variable as a result of extraneous variable is technically described as an experimental error

Control
An important characteristic of a good research is to minimize the influence of extraneous variables. The term control used when we design the study by minimizing the effect of extraneous independent variables

Confounded relationship
When the dependent variable is not free from the effect of the extraneous variable the relationship between dependent and independent variable is confounded by an extraneous variable

Research Hypothesis
When a prediction or hypothesized relationship is to be tested by scientific methods , it is termed as Research hypothesis. It is a predictive statement that relates an independent variable to a dependent variable

Experimental and non experimental hypothesis testing research

When the purpose of research is to test a research hypothesis it is termed as hypothesis testing research It can be of the experimental design or of the non experimental research Research in which the independent variable is manipulated is termed experimental hypothesis testing research and a research in which an independent variable is not manipulated is called non experimental hypothesis testing research

Experimental and Control groups

In an experimental hypothesis testing research when a group is exposed to usual conditions, it is termed as control group but when a group is exposed to some novel or special condition it is termed as an experimental group

Treatments
The different conditions under which experimental and control groups are put are referred to as treatments

Experiment
The process of examining the truth of a statistical hypothesis, relating to some research problem, is known as an experiment Eg: Examine the usefulness of a certain newly developed drug

Experimental unit
The predetermined plot or blocks, where treatments are used , are known as experimental units

Different Research Designs

Research Design in case of exploratory research studies 2. Research design in case of descriptive and diagnostic research studies 3. Research design in case of hypothesis testing research studies
1.

Research design in case of exploratory research studies: Exploratory research studies are also termed as formulative research studies The main purpose is to formulate a problem for more precise investigation or developing the working hypothesis from an operational point of view. Methods: 1. The survey of concerning literature 2. The experience survey 3. The analysis of insight stimulating examples

`Research design in case of descriptive and diagnostic research studies: Descriptive research studies are those studies which are concerned with describing the characteristics of a particular individual or a group Diagnostic research studies determine the frequency with which something occurs or its association with something else. Most of the social research comes under this category The first step in this study is to specify the objectives with sufficient precision to ensure that the data collected are relevant

Type of Study Research Design Descriptive or Diagnostic Rigid Design ( design must Flexible design ( Design make enough provision for must provide opportunity protection against bias for considering different and must maximize aspects of the problem reliability) Overall Design Non - Probability Probability Sampling design (i) Sampling design Sampling design (ii) Statistical No pre-planned design for Pre-planned design for design analysis analysis Structured or well thought (iii) Observational Unstructured instruments out instruments for collection of data Design for collection of data No fixed decisions about (iv) Operational the operational Advanced decisions about design operational procedures procedures Exploratory or Formulative

Research design in case of hypothesis testing research studies In hypothesis testing research studies ( generally known as experimental studies) the researcher tests the hypotheses of causal relationship between variables. These studies require procedures that will not only reduce bias and increase reliability but will permit drawing inferences about causality. Therefore a research design is important in this case also and such designs are termed as experimental designs.

Basic Principles of Experimental Designs:

1. The Principle of Replication 2. The Principle of Randomization 3. Principle of Local Control

y According to Principle of Replication the experiment

should be repeated more than once. Thus each treatment is applied in many experimental units instead of one. y The principle of Randomization provides protection, when we conduct an experiment, against the effect of extraneous factors by randomization. This principle indicates that we should design or plan the experiment in such a way that the variations caused by extraneous factors can all be combined under the general heading of chance y Through the Principle of Local Control we can eliminate the variability due to extraneous factor from the experimental error