Research Design
The research design refers to the overall strategy that you
choose to integrate the different components of the study in a
coherent and logical way, thereby, ensuring you will
effectively address the research problem; it constitutes the
blueprint for the collection, measurement, and analysis of
data.
Types of quantitative designs
• 2-correlational
• 1- Descriptive
• 3- Quasi-experimental
• 4- Experimental
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• It is easier to understand the different types of
quantitative research designs if you consider
how the researcher designs for control of the
variables in the investigation.
• If the researcher views quantitative design as a
continuum, one end of the range represents a
design where the variables are not controlled
at all and only observed. Connections amongst
variable are only described. At the other end of
the spectrum, however, are designs which
include a very close control of variables, and
relationships amongst those variables are
clearly established. 3
Descriptive Research
• Descriptive research seeks to describe the current status of an
identified variable. These research projects are designed to provide
systematic information about a phenomenon. The researcher does
not usually begin with an hypothesis, but is likely to develop one
after collecting data. The analysis and synthesis of the data provide
the test of the hypothesis. Systematic collection of information
requires careful selection of the units studied and careful
measurement of each variable.
Examples of Descriptive Research:
• A description of how second-grade students spend their time during
summer vacation
• A description of the tobacco use habits of teenagers
• A description of how parents feel about the twelve-month school year
• A description of the attitudes of scientists regarding global warming
• A description of the kinds of physical activities that typically occur in
nursing homes, and how frequently each occurs
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Correlational research
Attempts to determine the extent of a relationship between
two or more variables using statistical data. In this type of
design, relationships between and among a number of facts are
sought and interpreted. This type of research will recognize
trends and patterns in data, but it does not go so far in its
analysis to prove causes for these observed patterns. Cause
and effect is not the basis of this type of observational
research. The data, relationships, and distributions of variables
are studied only. Variables are not manipulated; they are only
identified and are studied as they occur in a natural setting.
Sometimes correlational research is considered a type of
descriptive research, and not as its own type of research, as no
variables are manipulated in the study.
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Examples of Correlational Research:
• The relationship between intelligence and
self-esteem
• The relationship between diet and anxiety
• The relationship between an aptitude test
and success in an algebra course
• The relationships between the types of
activities used in math classrooms and
student achievement
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Causal comparative/Quasi-experimental Research
Research attempts to establish cause-effect relationships among the
variables. These types of design are very similar to true experiments,
but with some key differences. An independent variable is identified
but not manipulated by the experimenter, and effects of the
independent variable on the dependent variable are measured. The
researcher does not randomly assign groups and must use ones that
are naturally formed or pre-existing groups. Identified control groups
exposed to the treatment variables are studied and compared to
groups who are not.
Example of quasi-experimental designs:
The effect of taking multivitamins on a students’ school absenteeism
• The effect of gender on algebra achievement
• The effect of part-time employment on the achievement of high
school students
• The effect of age on lung capacity
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Experimental research designs
• Experimental research, often called true experimentation, uses the scientific
method to establish the cause-effect relationship among a group of variables
that make up a study. The true experiment is often thought of as a laboratory
study, but this is not always the case; a laboratory setting has nothing to do
with it.
• A true experiment is any study where an effort is made to identify and
impose control over all other variables except one.
• An independent variable is manipulated to determine the effects on the
dependent variables. Subjects are randomly assigned to experimental
treatments rather than identified in naturally occurring groups.
Examples of Experimental research design
The effect of a new treatment plan on breast cancer
• The effect of positive reinforcement on attitude toward school
• The effect of teaching with a cooperative group strategy or a traditional
lecture approach on students 'achievement .
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