RESEARCH DESIGN

Meaning of 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 research design is the conceptual structure within which research is conducted.

• The blueprint for the collection, measurement and analysis of data.

• The design includes an outline of what the researcher will do from writing the hypothesis
and its operational implications to the final analysis of data.

• Research Design Discuss about…

• What is the study about?

• Why is the study being made?

• Where will the study be carried out?

• What type of data is required?

• Where can the required data be found?

• What periods of time will the study include?

• What will be the sample design?

• What techniques of data collection will be used?

• How will the data be analysed?

• In what style will the report be prepared?

Research design have the following parts:

1. The sampling design:

which deals with the method of selecting items to be observed for the given study.

1. The observational design:

which relates to the conditions under which the observations are to

be made;

3. The statistical design:

which concerns with the question of how many items are to be observed and how the
information and data gathered are to be analyzed.
 4. The operational design:

which deals with the techniques by which the procedures specified in the sampling, statistical
and observational designs can be carried out.

Need for Research Design

• Research design is needed because it facilitates the smooth sailing of the various research
operations

• we need a research design or a plan in advance of data collection and analysis for our
research project.

• Research design stands for advance planning of the methods to be adopted for collecting the
relevant data and the techniques to be used in their analysis, keeping in view the objective
of the research and the availability of staff, time and money.

Features of a Good Design

A research design appropriate for a particular research problem, usually involves the
consideration of the following factors.

• 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; and

• The availability of time and money for the research work.

The preparation of the research design for a particular research problem considers the
following:

• The means of obtaining the information;

• The availability and skills of the researcher and his staff (if any)

• Explanation of the way in which selected means of obtaining information

will be organised and the reasoning leading to the selection

• The time available for research

• The cost factor relating to research, i.e., the finance available for the
purpose.

Contents of a Research Plan

1. Introduction

2. Statement of the problem

 3. Review of the previous studies

4. Scope of the studies

5. Objective of the study

6. Conceptual model

7. Hypothesis

8. Operational definition of concepts

9. Geographical area to be covered

10. Reference period

11. Methodology

12. Sampling plan

13. Tools for gathering data

14. Plan of analysis

15. Chapter scheme

16. Time budget

17. Financial budget

1. Introduction:

The introduction of a research plan or proposal should place the research problem in its historical
perspective, state the need for studying it, and the researcher’s precise interest in the study of the
problem.

2. Statement of the problem:

The research problem should be well 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.

3. Review of the previous studies:

On the selected theme, some studies might have been previously made by other. A review of
available literature will bring out information on them. The salient features of those studies may be
briefly described and the gaps may be pointed out.

4. Scope of the study:

The scope and dimensions of the study should be delimited with reference to the topical scope -
breadth and depth, geographical area to be covered, reference period, the type of
institutions/respondents to be studied, the issues to be analyzed, etc. The purpose of this
demarcation is to make the study manageable in terms of the researcher's aim, interest and
competence and available techniques, time, finance and facilities.

5. Objective of the study:

The specific objectives of the study should be stated clearly. This refer to the questions to which the
researcher proposes to seek answers through the study.

The objectives may be stated as under:

• To study the extent of ………

• To identify the factors which

influence ………….

• To examine the nature of

relation between and ……….

• To investigate the impact of

…………..

• To identify the cause of

……………..

6. 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 the propositions used to develop explanatory
framework are included. The entire research project rests upon the theoretical framework.

7. Hypotheses:

These are logically deduced from the theoretical framework above. These refer to the anticipated
outcome or possible answers to the research questions. They should be conceptually clear, specific
and simple.

8. 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.

9. The significance of the study:

lt is important to point out the relevance and the investigation. What would be the value of the
findings of the study for policy formulation theory and practice?. Can the findings contribute to the
enrichment of theory and/or to the situation of some practical problems? A careful statement of the
value ot the study and the possible application of its findings helps to justify its importance and
social relevance.

10. Geographical area to be covered:

The territorial area to be covered by the study should be and specified in the plan. The area to be
chosen depends on the purpose of the study and time and other resources available.

11. Reference period:

This period may be one year or two or more years depending on the nature of the study and
availability of data. The period should be longer, say 5 or 10 years, if the study aims at making a
trend analysis of an activity like production or sale or profitability

12. Methodology:

In this section, the overall typology of the design - experimental, descriptive, survey, case study or
historical study is specified. Further the method or methods to be adopted for collection of data -
observation, interviewing or mailing - are specified.

13. Sampling plan:

If the study requires collection of primary data from the field, the universe must be delineated, and
the methods of sampling to be used for drawing the sample from the universe and the sample size
must be stated.

14. Tools for gathering data:

In this section, the tools, to be used for gathering data - interview schedule/guide or questionnaire
or check list, etc. - are listed and each of them is described. The tools chosen should be appropriate
to the methods to be adopted for gathering data.

15. Plan of analysis:

The statistical techniques to be used for analyzing the various techniques should be specified. The
application of appropriate techniques is essential for testing hypothesis and drawing inferences.

16. Chapter scheme:

The chapter scheme of the report/dissertation to be prepared for communicating the findings of the
study to the academic community and the users should be outlined and the purpose of each chapter
should be stated.

17. Time budget:

The time period required for each stage of work and the total time duration of the study are
specified.

18. Financial budget:

This should include as estimate of the expected costs of the project under Various major categories
like salary (if any), printing and stationary, postage. travel expenses, Computation, secretarial and
typing etc.
Important Concepts Relating to Research Design

1. Dependent and Independent Variables

a. Variable

A concept which can take on different quantitative values is called a variable. As such the concepts
like weight, height, income are all examples of variables.

b. Independent Variable:

• It is a variable its stands alone and isn’t change by the other

variable you are trying to measure.

• In independent variables value does not depend on and is

not affected by the state of any other variable in the
experiment.

• Dependent Variable:

• It is the variable which always dependent on other factors. You are assessing how it
responds to a change in the independent variable, Sometimes the dependent variable is
called the "responding variable”.

• If one variable depends upon or is a consequence of the other variable, it is termed as a

dependent variable, and the variable that is antecedent to the dependent variable is termed
as an independent variable.

d. Continuous Variable:

• The continuous variable refers to the numerical variable whose value is

attained by measuring.

• The variables can take almost any type of numeric value and can be further
divided into meaningful smaller increments which include fractional and
decimal values.

• Continuous variables are generally measured on scales such as height,

weight, temperature, etc.

• With the help of continuous variables, one can measure mean, median,
variance, or standard deviation.

e. Discrete Variables:

Data that deals with counting is considered to be discrete. And for all you know, when we count
things, we take into account whole numbers like 0, 1, 2, and 3.

2. 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.

• For e.g.

Dependent variable: Size of the Plant, Number of Leaves,

Independent Variable: Water

Extraneous Variable : Sun light

• Whatever effect is noticed on dependent variable as a result of extraneous variable(s) is

technically described as an ‘experimental error’.

3 Control:

One important characteristic of a good research design is to minimise the influence or effect
of extraneous variable(s).

The technical term ‘control’ is used when we design the study minimising the effects of
extraneous independent variables.

In experimental researches, the term ‘control’ is used to refer to restrain experimental

conditions.

4. Confounded relationship:

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).

5. Research hypothesis:

• When a prediction or a hypothesised relationship is to be tested by scientific methods, it is

termed as research hypothesis.

• The research hypothesis is a predictive statement that relates an independent variable to a

dependent variable.

• Usually a research hypothesis must contain, at least, one independent and one dependent
variable.

• Predictive statements which are not to be objectively verified or the relationships that are
assumed but not to be tested, are not termed research hypotheses.

6 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.

Research in which the independent variable is manipulated is termed ‘experimental

hypothesis-testing research’
 Research in which an independent variable is not manipulated is called ‘non-experimental
hypothesis-testing research’.

Hypothesis-testing:

• After analysing the data, the researcher is in a position to test the

hypotheses, if any, he had formulated earlier.

• A hypothesis is a tentative propositions formulated for empirical testing.

• It describes in concrete terms what a researcher expects to happen in his/

her study.

• It is a tentative answer to the research question.

• Good and Hatt defines it as “ a question which can be put to test to

determine validity”

• In short hypothesis is a tentative solution or explanation or a guess or

assumption or proposition or a statement to the problem facing by the
researcher.

• Hypothesis-testing will result in either accepting the hypothesis or in rejecting it.

• In exploratory study and fact finding investigation it may not be possible to setup the
hypothesis, whereas in all analytical and experimental studies, hypothesis should be setup in
order to give a proper direction.

Types of Hypothesis

• Descriptive hypothesis : It intends to describe some characteristics of an object, a

situation, an individual or even an organization.

• Relational Hypothesis : It intends to describe the relationship between two

variables. The relationship suggested may be positive or negative correlation or
casual relationship.

• Positive Hypothesis: the relationship between two variables may be either increase
or decrease.

• Hypothesis-testing will result in either accepting the hypothesis or in rejecting it.

• In exploratory study and fact finding investigation it may not be possible to setup the
hypothesis, whereas in all analytical and experimental studies, hypothesis should be setup in
order to give a proper direction.

Types of Hypothesis

• Descriptive hypothesis : It intends to describe some characteristics of an object, a

situation, an individual or even an organization.
 • Relational Hypothesis : It intends to describe the relationship between two
variables. The relationship suggested may be positive or negative correlation or
casual relationship.

• Positive Hypothesis: the relationship between two variables may be either increase
or decrease.

• Hypothesis-testing will result in either accepting the hypothesis or in rejecting it.

• In exploratory study and fact finding investigation it may not be possible to setup the
hypothesis, whereas in all analytical and experimental studies, hypothesis should be setup in
order to give a proper direction.

Types of Hypothesis

• Descriptive hypothesis : It intends to describe some characteristics of an object, a

situation, an individual or even an organization.

• Relational Hypothesis : It intends to describe the relationship between two

variables. The relationship suggested may be positive or negative correlation or
casual relationship.

• Positive Hypothesis: the relationship between two variables may be either increase
or decrease.

• Negative Hypothesis: It shows the relationship between two variables in which one variable
increases and other variable decreases.

• Casual Relationship: It is a situation in which a change in one variable (independent

variable) causes or leads to an effects on another variable (dependent variable).

• Working Hypothesis: This is a hypothesis framed in early stages of research. This maybe
altered or modified as research proceeds.

• Null Hypothesis: This states that there is no significant difference between the parameter
and statistic that is being compared. Hypothesis which denying the relationship between
two variables.

• Alternative Hypothesis: they are the research hypothesis which involves the claim to be
tested

• Analytical hypothesis : These are used when one would specify the relationship between
changes in one property leading to change in other.

• Statistical hypothesis: these are statement about statistical population and which are
derived from a sample which are quantitative in nature and numerically measurable.

• Common sense Hypothesis : These are based on what is being observed with common idea
existing among people.
7. Experimental and control groups:

• In an experimental hypothesis-testing research when a group is exposed to usual conditions,

it is termed a ‘control group’,

• when the group is exposed to some novel or special condition, it is termed an ‘experimental
group’.

8. Treatments:

• The different conditions under which experimental and control groups are put are usually
referred to as ‘treatments’.

9. Experiment:

• The process of examining the truth of a statistical hypothesis, relating to some research
problem, is known as an experiment.

• Experiments can be of two types viz., absolute experiment and comparative experiment. If
we want to determine the impact of a fertilizer on the yield of a crop, it is a case of absolute
experiment;

• but if we want to determine the impact of one fertilizer as compared to the impact of some
other fertilizer, our experiment then will be termed as a comparative experiment.

10. Experimental unit(s):

The pre-determined plots or the blocks, where different treatments are used, are known as
experimental units.

DIFFERENT RESEARCH DESIGNS

Different research designs can be conveniently described if we categorize them as:

• Research design in case of Exploratory research studies;

• Research design in case of Descriptive and Diagnostic research

studies, and

• Research Design in case of Causal Research /Experimental Research

Studies.

1. Exploratory Research Design (Formulative Research)

Exploratory Research studies are also termed as formulative research studies. Exploratory
Research is preliminary study of an in familiar problem about which the researcher has little or
no knowledge. Its intention is to provide details where a small amount of information exists.

Types of Explanatory Research

a. Literature research:
It is one of the fastest and least expensive means of determining the hypothesis of the
phenomenon and collecting information. It involves searching for literature on the internet and
in libraries. It can of course be in magazines, newspapers, commercial and academic articles.

b. In-depth interview:

The process involves talking to a person who is knowledgeable about the topic under
investigation. The in-depth interview is used to take advantage of the information offered by
people and their experience, whether they are professionals within or outside the organization.

b. Focus groups:

Focus groups consist of bringing together 8 to 12 people who have information about the
phenomenon under study and organizing sessions to obtain from these people various data that
will help the research.

b. Case studies:

It is a thorough investigative study of all the aspects relating to a situation, an event, happening,
an organization, a system, a cultural entity or a community. Case histories, insight or in-depth
studies are conducted in the case study.

2. Descriptive Research Design:

This design is for describing what is going on or what exist about the problem. Here researcher
suggests solutions to the problems, and the data can be used for predictions about various
phenomenon.

Steps in Descriptive Research Design,

1. Formulating research questions

2. Selecting relevant sites and subjects

3. Collection of relevant data

4. Interpretation of data

5. Writing up findings/ conclusions

Types of Descriptive Research Design

a. Cross sectional design: are conducted to collect information from the

different set people at a single point of time. The purpose is to collect a body
of data connection with two or more variables.

b. Longitudinal design : a longitudinal design is one that takes place over a

period of time. It means the data is gathered over a period of time.

b. Causal Research /Experimental Research Design.

It is designed to looks at cause and effect relationship. It is designed to determine whether one
or more variables causes or effects one or more outcome variables.

Components of Causal Research Design:

1. The research problem

2. The research question

3. The program(cause)

4. The units

5. The outcomes (effect)

6. The design

Three types of Causal Research /Experimental Research Design.

1. One shot study.

2. Before and after without control group.

3. Before and after with control group.