1. Discuss the three main types
of research designs.
Explain instances in which
each research design is
appropriate.
2. DEFINATION
OF KEY TERMS
⢠Research design is the âconceptual structure within which
research is conducted; it constitutes the blueprint for the
collection, measurement and analysis of data (Kothari, 2004).
⢠The conceptual structure in which a particular research is
carried out is known as the research design (C R Kothari,
2014).
⢠It is in fact the arrangement, outline and general plan of the
conditions for collection and analysis of data in a manner that
aims to combine the relevance to research purpose while
fixated on procedure (Sekaran, 2013).
⢠Explicitly research design is a master plan which notes the
mechanisms and approaches for generating and analysing the
data (M N K Saunders, 2012).
⢠Research Design is a methodical well organised procedure
utilized by a researcher or a scientist to carry out a scientific
study. It is a comprehensive coexistence of already identified
elements and any other information or data leading to a
reasonable end result.
3. Introduction
A research design is an important part of
research that serves as a road map enabling
certain guidelines and procedure to pursue
authentic and relevant investigation with a
professional standard.
The choice of research design is affected by
several factors, small and large that is from
research objectives to search budget and time
frame.
Therefore, there are three main types of
research designs which are exploratory,
descriptive and explanatory and these can be
used in a different set up.
4. Purpose of
Research
Design
The purpose of a research design is to provide a
plan of study that permits accurate assessment
of cause and effect relationships between
independent and dependent variables.
The classic controlled experiment is an ideal
example of good research design.
Research design is a plan to answer your
research question. A research method is a
strategy used to implement that plan.
5. EXPLORATORY RESEARCH DESIGN
According to (Cuthill,
2002) an exploratory
research design is
conducted for a research
problem when the
researcher has no past
data or only a few
studies for reference
problem.
6. METHODS:
Primary research methods:
⢠Surveys/polls - gather information from a
predefined group of respondents
⢠Interviews- a face to face interview can give in-
depth information on the subject being studied
⢠Focus groups- a group of people is chosen and
are allowed to express their insights on the topic
that is being studied
⢠Observations: observe a person and draw the
finding from their reaction to certain parameters;
there is no direct interaction
7. Secondary research methods
⢠Online research - In todayâs world, this is one of the fastest way to gather
information on any topic. researcher can download it whenever he needs it
⢠Literature research âSources can include newspapers, magazines, books from
library, documents from government agencies, specific topic related articles,
literature, Annual reports, published statistics
9. ADVANTAGES
The researcher has a lot of
flexibility and can adapt to
changes as the research
progresses.
It is usually low cost.
It helps lay the foundation of
a research, which can lead to
further research.
It enables the researcher
understand at an early stage,
if the topic is worth investing
the time and resources and if
it is worth pursuing.
It can assist other researchers to find out possible
causes for the problem, which can be further
studied in detail to find out, which of them is the
most likely cause for the problem.
10. LIMITATIONS
Even though it can point
you in the right direction
towards what is the
answer, it is usually
inconclusive.
The main disadvantage of
exploratory research is
that they provide
qualitative data.
Interpretation of such
information can be
judgmental and biased.
Most of the times,
exploratory research
involves a smaller sample,
hence the results cannot
be accurately interpreted
for a generalized
population.
Many a times, if the data
is being collected
through secondary
research, then there is a
chance of that data
being old and is not
updated.
11. Descriptive
Research
Design
According to (Anastas, 1999) Descriptive research is an appropriate
choice when the research aim is to identify characteristics,
frequencies, trends, and categories. It is useful when not much is
known yet about the topic or problem. Before you can research
why something happens, you need to understand how, when and
where it happens.
12. CHARACTERISTICS
Quantitative research- collects quantifiable
information for statistical analysis of the population
sample or phenomenon being studied
Uncontrolled variables- none of the variables are
influenced in any way. Utilises observational
methods to carry out the research
Cross-sectional studies - is primarily a cross-sectional
study where various segments belonging to the same
group are examined.
The basis for further research- Researchers further
research the data gathered and examined from DR
employing various techniques.
13. APPLICATIONS
⢠Define respondent characteristics -using close-ended questions is to draw concrete
conclusions about the respondents
⢠Measure data trends-Researchers measure data trends over time with a descriptive
research designâs statistical abilities
⢠Conduct comparisons-Org use a DR design to compare how homogeneous groups
respond to a specific product or service
⢠Validate existing conditions- aid in establishing the research objectâs prevalent
conditions and underlying patterns
⢠Conduct research at different times - analysis can be done at different intervals to
ascertain any similarities or differences.
14. METHODS
⢠Observational method- observational method is the most effective method to
conduct this research, and researchers make use of both quantitative and
qualitative observations
⢠Case study method- ase studies involve in-depth research and study of
individuals or groups. Case studies lead to a hypothesis and widen a further
scope of studying a phenomenon.
⢠Survey research- respondents answer through surveys or questionnaires or
polls. Popular market research tool collect feedback from respondents. A study
to gather useful data should have the right survey questions.
15. EXAMPLES
⢠Steward Bank wants to understand how people
choose who to bank with in Harare will conduct a
demographic survey of this region, gather population
data and then conduct descriptive research on this
demographic segment. The study will then uncover
de- tails on âwhat is the banking pattern in Harare,â
but not cover any investigative information about
âwhyâ the patterns exists. Because Bank trying to
break into this market, understanding the nature of
their market is the studyâs objective.
⢠Probrands is packaging a new range of spices and
would like to understand which spice is preferred by
different people. To understand the preferred flavour
palette, they conduct this type of research study using
various methods like observational methods in
supermarkets. By also surveying while collecting in-
depth demographic information, offers insights about
the preference of different markets. This can also help
in the identifying the most preferred spice flavour in
that demographic.
16. ADVANTAGES
Data collection: A researcher can conduct descriptive research using specific methods like observational method,
case study method, and survey method. Between these three, all primary data collection methods are covered,
which provides a lot of information. This can be used for future research or even developing a hypothesis of your
research object.
Varied: Since the data collected is qualitative and quantitative, it gives a holistic understanding of a research topic.
The information is varied, diverse, and thorough.
Natural environment: Descriptive research allows for the research to be conducted in the respondentâs natural
environment, which ensures that high-quality and honest data is collected.
Quick to perform and cheap: As the sample size is generally large in descriptive research, the data collection is quick
to conduct and is inexpensive.
17. LIMITATIONS
Descriptive studies cannot test or verify the
research problem statistically.
Research results may reflect certain level of bias
due to the absence of statistical tests.
The majority of descriptive studies are not
ârepeatableâ due to their observational nature.
Descriptive studies are not helpful in identifying
cause behind described phenomenon.
19. CHARACTERISTICS
1. Temporal sequence. The cause must occur before the effect.
For example, it would not be appropriate to credit the increase
in sales to rebranding efforts if the increase had started before
the rebranding.
2. Concomitant variation. The variation must be systematic
between the two variables. For example, if a company does not
change its employee training and development practices, then
changes in customer satisfaction cannot be caused by
employee training and development.
Nonspurious association. Any covarioaton between a cause
and an effect must be true and not simply due to other
variables. In other words, there should be no to a âthirdâ factor
that relates to both, cause, as well as, effect.
20. APPLICATIONS
The cause-and-effect relationship between two variables
can only be confirmed if causal evidence exists that
support the relationship.
Causal studies focus on an analysis of a situation or a
specific problem to explain the patterns of relationships
between variables. Experiments are the most popular
primary data collection methods in studies with causal
research design.
The presence of cause cause-and-effect relationships can
be confirmed only if specific causal evidence exists.
Causal evidence has three important components.
22. ADVANTAGES ⢠Causal studies may play an instrumental
role in terms of identifying reasons behind
a wide range of processes, as well as,
assessing the impact of changes on
existing norms, processes and much more.
⢠Causal studies usually offer the
advantages of replication if necessity
arises
⢠These type of studies are associated with
greater levels of internal validity due to
systematic selection of subjects.
23. LIMITATIONS ⢠Coincidences in events may be perceived
as cause-and-effect relationships.
⢠It can be difficult to reach appropriate
conclusions on the basis of causal research
findings. This is due to the impact of a
wide range of factors and variables in
social environment. In other words, while
casualty can be inferred, it cannot be
proved with a high level of certainty.
⢠In certain cases, while correlation
between two variables can be effectively
established; identifying which variable is a
cause and which one is the impact may be
a tough ask.
25. CONCLUSION
⢠The research methods and designs should be clear and easy
to follow so that they can be carried out by a separate
group of researchers to produce the similar results. As the
research design planned, each step must be checked to
make sure that it can be entirely replicated by someone
else. To ensure the design is reliable, all the criteria that
were used in selecting the study group needs to be listed,
identify all the guidelines of the research process, list all
the equipment and supplies used, and record all results
accurately.
