Chapter Four
RESEARCH DESIGN
Introduction
2
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 research design is a conceptual structure within
which research is conducted;
It constitutes the blueprint for the collection,
measurement and analysis of data.
Introduction
3
The research design will be in respect of:
What is the study about? (Problem definition)
Why is the study being made? (Justification)
Where will the study be carried out? (Location)
What type of data is required? (Quant, Qual, Pri, Sec)
Where can the required data be found (target population)
What will be the sample design (technique chosen)
What techniques of data collection will be used?
(observation, interview, questionnaires),
How will the data be analyzed.
Introduction
Research Design
4 …cont’d
four:
We may split the overall research design into three
• The sampling design - which deals with the method
of selecting items to be observed for the given
study.
•• The
Thestatistical designdesign:
Observation - which which
concerns withtothe
relates
question of how many items are to be observed and
the conditions under which the observations
how the information and data gathered are to be
are to be made.
analyzed;
• The operational design - which deals with the
techniques by which the procedures specified in the
sampling, Statistical and observational designs can
be carried out.
Research Design …cont’d
We may split the overall research design into three
Introduction
• The sampling design - which deals with the method
Research
of selecting itemsDesign
5 …cont’d
to be observed for the given
We may split the overall research design into three
study.
•• The
The sampling
statisticaldesign
design--which
whichdeals with with
concerns the method
the
of selecting
question of items to beitems
how many observed forbethe
are to given and
observed
study.
how the information and data gathered are to be
• analyzed;
The statistical design - which concerns with the
• question of how many
The operational designitems aredeals
- which to bewith
observed
the and
how the information
techniques by which and data gathered
the procedures are to be
specified in the
analyzed;
sampling, Statistical and observational designs can
• be carried
The out. design - which deals with the
operational
techniques by which the procedures specified in the
sampling, Statistical and observational designs can
be carried out.
Important Concepts Relating to Research Design
6
Dependent and independent variables:
A concept which can take on different quantitative values
is called a Variable.
Examples of variables are: weight, height, age, income,
etc.
IF one variable is dependent upon or consequence of the
other variable is called dependent variable.
The variable that is precedent to the dependent variable
is called independent variable.
Example: Height is dependent on age, so that height is
dependent variable. Age is independent variable.
Important concepts …
7
Extraneous variable
Independent variable that are not related to the
purpose of the study.
Experimental and control variable
Control variable is the variables that you control
(don’t change) in an experimental research.
Experimental Variable is the variable that you are
studying (change) in an experiment.
Important concepts …
8
Control
One important characteristics of a good research design
is to minimize the effect of extraneous variable(s).
The technical term ‘control’ is used when we design the
study minimizing the effects of extraneous independent
variables.
Confounded relation ship
When the dependent variable is not free from the
influence of extraneous variable(s), the relationship
between the dependent and independent variables is said
to be confounded by an extraneous variable(s).
Important concepts …
9
Research hypothesis
When a prediction or a hypothesized relationship
is to be tested by scientific methods, it is termed
as research hypothesis.
Research hypothesis is a predictive statement
that relates an independent to dependent
variable.
Usually a research hypothesis must contain, at
least, one independent and one dependent
variable.
Important concepts …
10
Experimental and non experimental hypothesis
Testing Research
When a proposed research is conducted to test
hypothesis, its is termed as hypothesis test research.
Research in which the independent variable is
manipulated is called experimental hypothesis testing
research.
Research in which an independent variable is not
manipulated is called non-experimental hypothesis
testing research.
Important concepts …
11
Experimental and Control Group
In experimental hypothesis testing research when a
grouped exposed to usual conditions, is termed a
control group.
When a group is exposed to same novel or special
condition is called an experimental group.
Treatment
The different condition under which experimental and
control groups are put are usually referred to as
treatment.
Research Design
12
Research design depend upon the research type
being carried out.
The following are categories of research design based
on the research type:
1. Experimental research design
2. Descriptive and diagnostic research design
3. Hypothesis testing research design
Research Design
13
Exploratory Research Design
The main purpose of such studies is that of formulating a
problem for more precise investigation or developing the
working hypotheses from an operational point of view.
The major emphasis in this studies is on the discovery of
ideas and insights.
The three methods in the context of research design are:
1. The survey of concerning literature
2. The experience survey, and
3. The analysis of insight-stimulating examples.
Research Design
14
Descriptive and Diagnostic Research Design
Descriptive research is concerned with describing
the characteristics of a particular individual or
group.
Diagnosis research determine the frequency with
which something occurs or its association with
some thing else.
Most social research comes under this categories.
Both studies share common requirements and as
such they grouped together in this section.
Research Design
15
Descriptive and Diagnostic Research Design
The design in these studies must be rigid and not
flexible,
These studies focused attention on the following:
1. Formulating the objective of the study,
2. Design the methods of data collection,
3. Selecting the sample
4. Collecting the data
5. Processing and analyzing the data, and
6. Reporting the finding.
Research Design
16
Hypothesis Testing Research Design
Hypothesis testing research also known as
experimental studies.
Hypothesis test studies are those where the research
tests hypotheses of casual relationships between
variables.
The study of experimental design has its origin in
agricultural research.
Today, experimental designs are being used in
researches relating to phenomena of several
disciplines.
Data collection
17
Data Collection
Data collection:
• is a term used to describe a process of
preparing and collecting research data
• It is important to choose the right data
collection method(s) as this will allow data to
be collected that will meet the objectives of
the research;
Data collection
Types of Data
18
Types of data
• Primary Data:
– Are those which are collected afresh and for the
first time and thus happen to be original in
character
• Secondary data:
– Are those which have been collected by someone
else and which have already been passed through
the statistical process
Data collection
19
Methods of Primary data collection
• Observation (Systematic viewing)
• Personal Interviews (structured or
unstructured
• Telephone Interviews
• Questionnaire (self administered)
– Popular in case of big inquiries
• Schedules (filled by enumerators)
Data collection
20
• Choice of data collection largely depends
upon
– The objective of research
– Minimization of Bias
– Reduction of non-response
– Reduction of data error
– Minimization of expenses