STUDY DESIGNS
Study designs in research refer to the structured plans researchers use to
collect, measure, and analyze data. The choice of design depends on the
research question, objectives, available resources, time, and ethical
considerations.
1. Quantitative Research Designs
These focus on numerical data and statistical analysis.
a. Experimental Designs
Researcher actively intervenes and controls variables.
1. Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Participants randomly assigned to intervention and control groups.
Gold standard for testing effectiveness of treatments.
Example: Testing a new malaria drug.
2. Quasi-Experimental Design
Has intervention but no randomization.
Example: Introducing a health education program in one school and
comparing with another.
3. Pre-Experimental Design
No control group.
Example: Measuring knowledge before and after training in one group.
b. Observational (Non-Experimental) Designs
Researcher does not manipulate variables.
1. Descriptive Studies
Describe characteristics of a population.
Case Report – Description of one patient.
Case Series – Several similar cases.
Cross-Sectional Study – Data collected at one point in time.
Example: Prevalence of hypertension among adults in Kwale County.
2. Analytical Studies
Examine relationships between variables.
a) Case-Control Study
Compares people with disease (cases) and without (controls).
Looks back to identify exposure.
Good for rare diseases.
b) Cohort Study
Follows exposed and non-exposed groups over time.
Can be:
Prospective
Retrospective
Example: Following smokers and non-smokers to compare lung disease
incidence.
2. Qualitative Research Designs
Used to explore experiences, opinions, beliefs, and social phenomena.
1. Phenomenology
Explores lived experiences.
Example: Experiences of teenage mothers.
2. Grounded Theory
Develops theory from data.
Example: How community health volunteers cope with burnout.
3. Ethnography
Studies culture and social interactions.
Example: Traditional healing practices in a rural community.
4. Case Study
In-depth analysis of one case (person, organization, community).
3. Mixed Methods Design
Combines quantitative and qualitative approaches.
Types:
Convergent Design – Both collected at same time.
Explanatory Sequential – Quantitative first, qualitative follows.
Exploratory Sequential – Qualitative first, quantitative follows.
Example: Survey on maternal health utilization followed by interviews to
explain findings.
4. Other Specialized Designs (Common in Health Research)
Longitudinal Study
Ecological Study
Diagnostic Accuracy Study
Systematic Review
Meta-analysis
Quick Comparison Table
Design Type Purpose Example
Cross- Measure HIV prevalence survey
sectional prevalence
Case-control Identify risk factors Risk factors for cervical
cancer
Cohort Study incidence TB incidence among miners
RCT Test intervention New vaccine trial
Qualitative Explore Patient satisfaction study
experiences