RESEARCH METHODOLOGY MODULE-3 RESEARCH DESIGN

Contents: Meaning Elements of research design Important concepts relating to research design Types of research design Basic principles of experimental designs

MEANING OF RESEARCH DESIGN

A Research design is a logical and systematic plan prepared for directing a research study. It specifies the objectives of the study, the methodology and techniques to be adopted for achieving the objectives. In fact, the research design is the conceptual structure within which research is conducted; it constitutes the blueprint for the collection, measurement and analysis of data. It specifies the details of the procedures necessary for obtaining the information needed to structure and / or solve business research problem. It is the program that guides the investigator in the process of collecting, analyzing & interpreting observation. It specifies the objectives of the study, the methodology & techniques to be adopted for achieving the objective.

DEFINITION OF RESEARCH DESIGN Research Design is the framework or blueprint for collecting the information needed for your project in the best possible way (Malhotra et al., 2002)

"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." -Mouton and Marais

A RESEARCH DESIGN CAN BE DIVIDED INTO THE FOLLOWING PARTS1. THE SAMPLING DESIGN (States the method of sampling to be used and number of samples to be selected) 2. THE OBSERVATIONAL DESIGN (Related to the conditions under which observations are to be made) 3. THE STATISTICAL DESIGN (Deals with how the data gathered are to be analysed) 4. THE OPERATIONAL DESIGN (Deals with the techniques by which the procedures specified in the sampling, statistical & observational design can be carried out)

NEED FOR RESEARCH DESIGN

Research design is needed because it facilitates the smooth sailing of the various research operations, thereby making research as efficient as possible yielding maximal information with minimal expenditure of effort, time and money. For better, economical and attractive construction of a house, we need a blueprint (or what is commonly called the map of the house) well thought out and prepared by an expert architect, similarly 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.

Research design, in fact, has a great bearing on the reliability of the results arrived at and as such constitutes the firm foundation of the entire edifice of the research work.

The design helps the researcher to organize his ideas in a form whereby it will be possible for him to look for flaws and inadequacies.

FEATURES OF A GOOD DESIGN:

A research design appropriate for a particular research problem, usually involves the consideration of the following factors: It should be flexible and appropriate. It should be efficient and economical. It should minimize bias and it should maximize the reliability of data collected. It should give the smallest experimental error. It should yield maximum information. It should provide the opportunity for considering different aspects of the problem. It should provide the means of obtaining information. It should be appropriate with respect to the availability and skills of the researcher and his staff. It should be related to : the objective of the problem, the nature of the problem being studied, the availability of time and money for the research work.

Elements of research design

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Title of the study Introduction Statement of the Problem Review of previous studies Scope of the study Objectives of the study Hypothesis to be tested Operational definitions Geographical area to be covered 10. Reference period

11. Methodology 12. Sampling 13. Tools for collection of data 14. Plan of analysis 15. Research report 16. Time schedule 17. Financial budget

IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATING TO RESEARCH DESIGN

1. Variable: Variable is the quantity that varies in the course of the research. In other words variable can be defined as a concept which can take different quantitative values. Types of variables Dependent variable: Dependent variable is that quantity whose change at different stages the researchers wants to understand or explain.

Independent variable: Independent variable is a variable whose effect upon the dependent variable is observed. For instance if we investigate the effect of mothers' cigarette smoking, mothers' exercise, mother's food pattern and other variables upon the weight of a baby. In this case mothers' cigarette smoking, exercise and food pattern are independent variables and the weight of the baby is a dependent variable.

Extraneous variable: Variables which are not directly related to the purpose of the study but may affect the dependent variable are called extraneous variables.

2. Control: Research should be designed so as to minimize extraneous variables. This would help the researcher to have control over the study under consideration.

3. 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).

4.Research hypothesis: A hypothesis is a tentative assumption which a researcher wants to test for its logical or empirical consequences. When an assumption is to be tested by scientific methods it is termed as research hypothesis.

5.Experimental and non-experimental hypothesis testing research-Research in which independent variable is manipulated is called Experimental hypothesis testing research and Research in which independent variable is not manipulated is called Non- Experimental hypothesis testing research.

6. Experimental and Control groups: An experimental group is a group under consideration which is exposed to some new or special condition. When a group under consideration is exposed to usual conditions it is stated as control group.

7. Treatments: The different conditions under which experimental and control groups are tested are referred to as treatments.

PRINCIPLES OF EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

There are 3 basic principles of experimental design. 1. The Principle of Replication 2. The Principle of Randomization, 3. The Principle of Local Control.

1. The Principle of Replication: It suggests that the experiment should be repeated more than once. By doing so, the statistical accuracy of the experiments is increased. Experiments can be repeated with different subject groups and conditions.

2. The principle of Randomization:. Randomization involves random assignment of test units to experimental groups. Treatment conditions are also randomly assigned to experimental groups. As a result of random assignment, extraneous factors can be represented equally in each treatment condition. Randomization is the preferred procedure for ensuring the prior equality of experimental groups.

3. The Principle of Local Control: Control refers to the efforts on part of researcher to minimize the influence of extraneous variables. This involves measuring the extraneous variables and adjusting for their effects through statistical analysis.

TYPES OF RESEARCH DESIGN

1. EXPLORATORY RESEARCH DESIGN 2. DESCRIPTIVE & DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH DESIGN 3. EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH DESIGN

EXPLORATORY RESEARCH DESIGN The exploratory studies are carried out to 'explore' a subject. Exploratory research is used in cases when you must define the problem more precisely, identify relevant courses of action, or gain additional insights before an approach can be developed. Exploratory research design seeks to discover new ideas and insights. The researcher is involved in investigating an area in which no sufficient knowledge is available and no clear hypotheses have been developed about the problem.

Exploratory research design is characterized by flexibility and versatility, with respect to the methods, because formal research protocols and procedures are not employed. Rather, researchers are alert to new ideas and insights as they proceed. Once a new idea or insight is discovered, they may shift their exploration in that direction. The new direction is pursed until its possibilities are exhausted or another direction is found. For this reason, the focus of the investigation may shift constantly as new insights are discovered. Thus, the creativity and ingenuity of the researcher plays a major role in exploratory research.

DESCRIPTIVE & DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH DESIGN Descriptive study is a fact-finding investigation with adequate interpretation. It is more specific than an exploratory study, as it has focus on particular aspects or dimensions of the problem studied. It is designed to gather descriptive information and for formulating more sophisticated studies. Diagnostic research is similar to descriptive study but with a different focus. It is directed towards discovering what is happening, why is it happening and what can be done about. It aims at identifying the causes of a problem and the possible solutions for it. Both the above methods uses same type of Design.Research Design appropriate for such studies must be rigid making enough provision for protection against bias and maximizing reliability.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Experimental research is designed to assess the effects of particular variables on a phenomenon by keeping the other variables constant or controlled. The factor, which is influenced, by other factors is called a dependent variable, and the other factors, which influence it, are known as independent variables.

This method is effective in measuring the cause and effect relationship

under controlled

conditions..This design has the ability to set up a situation for the express purpose of observing & recording accurately the effect of one variable, when another is changed to prove or disprove the hypothesis.

Answer the following questions-

Section A: 1.What is meant by research Design? 2.Mention any two features of good research Design 3.What is Hypothesis? 4.What is Extraneous variable? 5.What do you mean by treatments? 6.What is a variable? 7.What is the need for research design? Section B 1.What are the features of Research Design 2.What are the elements of Research Design 3.What is the difference between dependent and independent variable? 4.Explain the types of research design. 5.Explain any 5 concepts of research design. 6.Explain descriptive research design. 7.Explain exploratory research design. Section-C 1.Explain in detail various elements of research design. 2.Explain various types of research design. 3.What is Research Design? What are essentials of good research design. 5.Explain the important concepts relating to research design. 6.Explain Exploratory Research and Experimental research in detail.