Research Methodology - Introduction
Research Design
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The most important step after defining the research problem is preparing the design of the research project, which is popularly known as the ‘research design’.
Research
Design:
The most important step after defining the research problem is preparing the design of the research project, which is popularly known as the ‘research design’. A research design helps to decide upon issues like what, when, where, how much, by what means etc. With regard to an enquiry or a research study. 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. Infact, research design is the conceptual structure within which research is conducted; it constitutes the blueprint for the collection, measurement and analysis of data (Selltiz et al, 1962). Thus, research design provides an outline of what the researcher is going to do in terms of framing the hypothesis, its operational implications and the final data analysis. Specifically, the research design highlights decisions which include:
1. The nature of the study
2. The purpose of the study
3. The location where the study would be conducted
4. The nature of data required
5. From where the required data can be collected
6. What time period the study would cover
7. The type of sample design that would be used
8. The techniques of data collection that would be used
9. The methods of data analysis that would be adopted and
10. The manner in which the report would be prepared
In view of the stated research design decisions, the overall research design may be divided into the following (Kothari 1988):
The most important step after defining the research problem is preparing the design of the research project, which is popularly known as the ‘research design’. A research design helps to decide upon issues like what, when, where, how much, by what means etc. With regard to an enquiry or a research study. 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. Infact, research design is the conceptual structure within which research is conducted; it constitutes the blueprint for the collection, measurement and analysis of data (Selltiz et al, 1962). Thus, research design provides an outline of what the researcher is going to do in terms of framing the hypothesis, its operational implications and the final data analysis. Specifically, the research design highlights decisions which include:
2. The purpose of the study
3. The location where the study would be conducted
4. The nature of data required
5. From where the required data can be collected
6. What time period the study would cover
7. The type of sample design that would be used
8. The techniques of data collection that would be used
9. The methods of data analysis that would be adopted and
10. The manner in which the report would be prepared
In view of the stated research design decisions, the overall research design may be divided into the following (Kothari 1988):
a. The sampling design that deals with the method of selecting items to be observed for the selected study;
b. The observational design that relates to the conditions under which the observations are to be made;
c. The statistical design that concerns with the question of how many items are to be observed, and how the information and data gathered are to be analysed; and
d. The operational design that deals with the techniques by which the procedures specified in the sampling, statistical and observational designs can be carried out.
The important features of Research Design may be outlined as follows:
i. It constitutes a plan that identifies the types and sources of information required for the research problem;
ii. It constitutes a strategy that specifies the methods of data collection and analysis which would be adopted; and
iii. It also specifies the time period of research and monetary budget involved in conducting the study, which comprise the two major constraints of undertaking any research
b. The observational design that relates to the conditions under which the observations are to be made;
c. The statistical design that concerns with the question of how many items are to be observed, and how the information and data gathered are to be analysed; and
d. The operational design that deals with the techniques by which the procedures specified in the sampling, statistical and observational designs can be carried out.
Features Of Research Design:
The important features of Research Design may be outlined as follows:
i. It constitutes a plan that identifies the types and sources of information required for the research problem;
ii. It constitutes a strategy that specifies the methods of data collection and analysis which would be adopted; and
iii. It also specifies the time period of research and monetary budget involved in conducting the study, which comprise the two major constraints of undertaking any research
Tags : Research Methodology - Introduction
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