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Research design

Research design is a framework of research methods that uses a strategy of choosing research methods and techniques to conduct a study with regard to collection, measurement, interpretation, analysis suitable to the subject matter under study. It involves decision making with regard to number of areas such as purpose of the research, its scope, reasoning of study, nature of the problem to be studied, the type of data and its source, the timeline, determination of cost budgets, the availability and skills of researcher, the probable objections to the study, the method of data collection, its analysis and reporting of the study. Thus, an overall research design constitutes the following parts:

  • Sample design (dealing with method of selecting items)
  • Observational design (refers to conditions under which observations are done)
  • Statistical design (based on number of items to be observed, method of obtaining data)
  • Operational design (deals with techniques by which the procedures are carried out)

Whatever be the design that is chosen, it should minimize bias and maximize the reliability of the data. A proper understanding and knowledge of the concepts relating to design such as dependent and independent variable, extraneous variable, control, confounded relationship, experimental and non-experimental hypothesis-testing research, experimental groups, control groups, treatments, experiment and experimental units are fundamental to the formulation of a good research design.

Further a good research design should be flexible, appropriate, efficient, economical and give the smallest experimental error. Coupled with all the above, a good design should yield maximal information and take into account different aspects of a problem. The type of research (experimental, survey research, correlation, semi-experimental, review) and its subtype (experimental design, research problem, descriptive case study) are factors which are to be considered in deciding how a research problem or research design in an organization is formulated.

The three main constituents in a research design are:

  • data collection
  • measurement
  • analysis

For a research design to be successful and provide accurate and unbiased assessments, four key characteristics are of essence:

  • It should stand the test of neutrality
  • The reliability should be ensured
  • It should possess validity through the use of relevant tools
  • It should be generalized so as to be applicable uniformly over a varied population

The different research designs are as under:

1) Research design in the case of exploratory studies:
Exploratory design leverages the theories and ideas of a researcher to go further into the subject. The study describes the what, how, and why of the research topics as well as previously unknown facets of a topic. Also known as formulative research studies, its main purpose is to come out with a precise investigation or development of a working hypothesis from an operable viewpoint. It delves on the discovery of ideas and insights. Such a design should be flexible enough to incorporate a study of different aspects of a problem. Such inbuilt flexibility is essential, as the objective of the research which is initially wide in its scope gets translated into one which has a correct meaning in exploratory studies.

Three methods which are generally used in such a design are:

  • The survey of concerning literature – It is by far the easiest method of formulating the area of research or developing hypothesis. Hypothesis formulated earlier are reviewed and their utility is assessed. Newer hypothesis maybe formulated based on the research carried out earlier or where none is available, a relevant hypothesis may be derived. Bibliographical studies are also carried out to help formulate the research problem. These help in the application of concepts and development of new theories of study.
  • Experience survey – People who have had practical experience earlier are surveyed. The primary reason for such an approach is to obtain a clear picture of the relationships between variables and pursue new ideas with regard to the research problem. However, such a method entails a careful selection of respondents and drawing up a right interview schedule for the respondents. Care should be taken to allow for respondents’ opinions also to be incorporated.
  • Analysis of insight stimulating – This method has more relevance in areas where there is very little prior experience which acts as a guide. It usually involves a detailed study of the selected instances of the methodology in which one maybe interested. Non-probability sampling design (purposive or judgment sampling) is used. No pre-planned statistical design for the purpose of analysis exists. Unstructured instruments for the collection of data are used as part of the observational design. There is no fixed decision about the operational procedures.

2) Research design in the case of descriptive and diagnostic research studies:
In a descriptive design, a researcher is only concerned with explaining the circumstance or case that is the subject of their research study descriptively. It is a theory-based design approach that is developed through the collection, evaluation, and presentation of data. A researcher is then able to explain the why and how of their investigation. Others can better appreciate the need for the research with the aid of descriptive design. If the problem statement is ambiguous, exploratory investigation can be done. Studies concerned with specific predictions, with narration of facts and characteristics concerning individual, group or situation are carried out in this method. In a diagnostic design, the researcher aims to assess the root cause of a certain subject or occurrence. One can learn more about the causes of problematic situations using this technique.  Such a research design has three parts:

  • inception of the issue
  • diagnosis of the issue
  • selection for the issue

It studies the frequency with which something occurs or its association with something else. For studying both the types of research, the following steps need to be considered:

  • A clear specification of the objective of the study with accuracy is needed so as to collect relevant data.
  • Selecting the right method of data collection from among the several methods such as observation, questionnaires, interviewing and examination of records. Unbiasedness, reliability and non-ambiguity should be ensured. Structured instruments for data collection are used.
  • Selecting and designing a sample.
  • Ensuring that the data collected and recorded is free from errors.
  • The data which is collected should be properly processed and analyzed. Coding should be done carefully and the accuracy of the tabulation must be checked. Statistical computations are then carried out.
  • The reporting should be properly communicated and presented in a simple manner.

Thus, the descriptive design has a rigid design. Probability sampling design (random sampling) is used here. There is a pre-planned statistical design used for analysis. Structured instruments are used for collection of data. Advanced decisions about operational procedures exist.

3) Research design in the case of hypothesis testing research studies:
Experimental studies show a connection between a situation’s cause and effect. It is a causal design in which the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable is observed. For instance, one tracks how an independent variable like pricing affects a dependent variable like client satisfaction or brand loyalty. It is a productive study strategy because it helps to resolve an issue. To track the impact on the dependent variable, the independent variables are changed. The study of two variaables allows social sciences to watch human behaviour frequently. To better understand social psychology, researchers might have participants alter their behaviour while seeing how those around them respond.

4) Research design in the case of correlational research studies:
Research that relies on correlation is a non-experimental method of inquiry. It aids in the establishment of a relationship between two variables that are closely related. When assessing the link between two more variables, no assumptions are made; instead, statistical analysis methods compute the relationship between the two variables. Two distinct groups are required for this kind of research. The correlation between two variables, whose values range from -1 to +1, is expressed as a correlation coefficient. A correlation coefficient that tends toward +1 implies a positive association between the variables, while a correlation value that tends toward -1 suggests a negative relationship.

There are three basic principles in the formulation of a research design:

  • Principle of replication – repeating the experiment any number of times to improve accuracy
  • Principle of randomization – the allocation of treatment to experimental units is done at random to avoid bias arising out of extraneous factors
  • Principle of local control – it controls all the factors except the ones which are being investigated as a means to control the variation due to extraneous factors on order to improve accuracy

Prominent experimental designs:

There are a number of experimental designs which can be broadly classified as informal experimental designs or formal experimental designs. Depending on the extent, sophistication, control required, statistical procedures required for analysis, either of these methods may be used. Each of these research designs have different sub-classifications as shown under:

a) Informal experimental designs

  • Before-and-after without control designs
  • After- only with control design
  • Before- and- after with control design

b) Formal experimental designs

  • Completely randomized design
  • Randomized block design
  • Latin square design
  • Factorial design which can be either a simple or complex factorial design

Role of Element H in this industry

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