Unit 2
Research Design
The framework of research methods and techniques chosen by a researcher is research design. The design enables researchers to focus on research methods that are appropriate for the topic and set up their studies for success.
The type of research (experimental, survey, correlational, semi-experimental, review) and its sub-type are explained by the design of a research subject (experimental design, research problem, descriptive case-study).
Three main types of research design are available: collection, measurement, and analysis of data.
The type of research issue facing an organization will determine the design of the research and not vice-versa. A study's design phase determines which instruments to use and how they are used.
Usually, an impactful research design creates a minimum data bias and increases confidence in the accuracy of the data collected. In experimental research, a design that produces the least margin of error is generally considered the desired result. The essential elements of the design of the research are:
- Accurate purpose statement
- Techniques to be implemented for collecting and analysing research
- The method applied for analysing collected details
- Type of research methodology
- Probable objections for research
- Settings for the research study
- Timeline
- Measurement of analysis
Your research is set up for success by proper research design. Successful studies of research provide insights that are precise and unbiased. You'll need to create a survey that meets all of a design's primary features. There are four key research design characteristics:
Neutrality: You may have to make assumptions about the data you expect to gather when you set up your research. In the research design, the outcomes projected should be free from bias and neutral. Understand the views of multiple people on the final assessed scores and conclusions and consider those who agree with the derived results.
Reliability: The participating investigator expects similar results each time with regularly conducted research. How to formulate research questions to ensure the standard of results should be indicated in your design. Only if your design is reliable will you be able to achieve the expected results.
Validity: Multiple measuring tools are available. The only correct measuring tools, however, are those that assist a researcher in measuring outcomes according to the research objective. It will then be valid for the questionnaire developed from this design.
Generalization: For a population and not just a limited sample, the result of your design should apply. A generalized design means that your survey can be carried out with similar precision on any part of a population.
The above factors influence the way respondents answer the research questions and so all the above features in a good design should be balanced.
To select which model to implement for a study, a researcher must have a clear understanding of the different kinds of research design. The design of your study can be broadly classified into quantitative and qualitative, just like research itself.
Qualitative research design: Qualitative research determines relationships based on mathematical calculations between collected data and observations. Using statistical methods, theories related to a naturally existing phenomenon can be proved or disproved. Researchers rely on methods of qualitative research design that conclude "why" there is a specific theory along with "what" respondents need to say about it.
Quantitative research design: For cases where statistical conclusions to gather actionable insights are crucial, quantitative research is essential. In order to make critical business decisions, numbers provide a better perspective. For the growth of any organization, quantitative methods of research design are necessary. In making decisions related to the future of the company, insights drawn from hard numerical data and analysis prove to be very effective.
1. Descriptive research design: A researcher is solely interested in describing the situation or case in a descriptive design within their research study. It is a method of theory-based design that is developed by collecting, analysing, and presenting collected data. This allows a researcher to provide insights into the research's why and how. Descriptive design helps others to better understand the study requirements. You can perform exploratory research if the problem statement is not clear.
2. Experimental research design: Experimental research design establishes a relationship between a situation's cause and effect. It is a causal model where one observes the effect on the dependent variable caused by the independent variable. For instance, the effect of an independent variable such as a price on a dependent variable such as customer satisfaction or brand loyalty is monitored. As it contributes to solving a problem at hand, it is a highly practical method of research design. To monitor the shift, it has on the dependent variable, the independent variables are manipulated. In social sciences, it is often used to observe human conduct by analysing two groups. To gain a better understanding of social psychology, researchers can have participants change their actions and study how the individuals around them react.
3. Correlational research design: Correlational research is a technique of non-experimental research design that helps researchers establish a relationship between two variables that are closely linked. Two different groups require this type of research. While evaluating a relationship between two different variables, there is no assumption, and the relationship between them is calculated by statistical analysis techniques.
The correlation between two variables whose value varies between -1 and +1 is determined by a correlation coefficient. If the coefficient of correlation is +1, a positive relationship between the variables is indicated, and -1 means a negative relationship between the two variables.
4. Diagnostic research design: In diagnostic design, the investigator seeks to evaluate the underlying cause of a particular subject or phenomenon. This technique helps one to learn more about the variables that create troubled situations.
This design consists of three research components:
Inception of the issue
1. Diagnosis of the issue
2. Solution for the issue
5. Explanatory research design: Explanatory design uses the ideas and thoughts of a researcher on a topic to explore their theories further. The study explains unexplored aspects of a topic and details of what, how, and why research questions are asked.
Following are the steps in research design:
1. The Problem – The first step involves the proper selection and then carefully defining the problem. By this researcher will be enabled to know about what he has to search, but it should be kept in mind that the problems selected should not be unmanageable in nature and also should not be based on the desires.
2. Objective of the study – The objective should be very clear in the mind of the researcher as this will lead to the clarity of the design and proper response from the respondents.
3. Nature of the study – The research design should be very much in relation with the nature of the study, which is to be carried out.
4. Data sources – The various sources of the data or the information should be very clearly stated by the researcher.
5. Techniques of data collection – For the collection of the required information, it sometimes becomes very necessary to use some especial techniques.
6. Social cultural context – Research design based on the social cultural concept is prepared in order to avoid the various study variations.
7. Geographical limit – This step becomes a necessity at this point of time as with the help of this step, research linked to the hypothesis applies only to certain number of social groups.
8. Basis of selection – Selecting a proper sample act as a very important and critical step and this is done with the help of some mechanics like drawing a random stratified, deliberate, double cluster or quota sample etc.
According to Bryman, Alan. ―The Research Question in Social Research: What is its Role? International Journal of Social Research Methodology 10 (2007); A research problem is a definite or clear expression [statement] about an area of concern, a condition to be improved upon, a difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists in scholarly literature, in theory, or within existing practice that points to a need for meaningful understanding and deliberate investigation. A research problem does not state how to do something, offer a vague or broad proposition, or present a value question. It is not always easy to formulate the research problem simply and clearly. It may take years to decide for some and just a few minutes for others to decide the research problem to be studied. The social issues may provide a broader prospect but it may not suggest a specific one. E.g., understanding economic background of society may not address the issues of unemployment in the same society therefore unemployment needs to studied differently and individually to assess the underlying problems. The availability of resources like money, time, manpower, etc also affects the selection of research problem.
A good problem statement begins by introducing the broad area in which your research is cantered, gradually leading the reader to the more specific issues you are investigating. The statement need not be lengthy, but a good research problem should incorporate the following features:
1. Persuasive Topic: The problem that is taken up for research should not only be of ample interest to the researcher but also the one that is continuously motivating to ensure consistent efforts to find a solution. The significance is greatly reduced if the idea is to just get some superficial knowledge about the problem and not to lead the researcher to resolve.
2. Viability: A problem that has been identified to be studied should be decide on the basis of whether it is actually possible to be resolved, or has some previous know how to guide the researcher to move ahead. A problem which has not been foreseen earlier may be selected but then the resources availability should be considered.
3. The So What Test: A research problem should be able to pass the ―So What‖ test as in social researches, to ascertain the meaningfulness and relevance of studying a particular problem. If the problem does not a result which may lead to further study or analysis it has be avoided. According to Ranjit Kumar (RM – A step by step guide) a few more considerations that assist a researcher to ensure that the study will remain manageable and that you will remain motivated are:
a. Interest: a research endeavour is usually time consuming, and involves hard work and possibly unforeseen problems. One should select topic of great interest to sustain the required motivation.
b. Magnitude: It is extremely important to select a topic that you can manage within the time and resources at your disposal. Narrow the topic down to something manageable, specific and clear
c. Measurement of concepts: Make sure that you are clear about the indicators and measurement of concepts (if used) in your study.
d. Level of expertise: Make sure that you have adequate level of expertise for the task you are proposing since you need to do the work yourself.
e. Relevance: Ensure that your study adds to the existing body of knowledge, bridges current gaps and is useful in policy formulation. This will help you to sustain interest in the study.
f. Availability of data: Before finalizing the topic, make sure that data are available.
g. Ethical issues: How ethical issues can affect the study population and how ethical problems can be overcome should be thoroughly examined at the problem formulating stage.
An appropriate statement of research problem would need the researcher to follow the follow certain steps to be able to arrive at the expected outcome with an addition of reasonable new knowledge.
1.Developing a Conceptual Framework: The researcher has to conceptualize, identify and select a broad discipline before short listing the final aspects to be studied. Then it is to find out which of these aspects generate the maximum interest and lead one to work with enthusiasm and perseverance. Assimilate the set of questions that would address the problem adequately and formulate objectives that correspond to these questions. E.g., An upcoming hotel ‘s project report would be inclusive of feasibility studies, market and competitor evaluation, budgetary and human resources requirements, approvals and licensing needed.
2. Referring the available literature on the problem: An extensive literature reference is necessary to find out the available information about the identified problem. It assists in understanding the earlier work done in the similar area and prevents the chances of doing a repetitive work. It is the study of available knowledge in the field and esp. In the perspective of problem stated by the researcher. It provides a description, summary, and critical evaluation of these works in relation to the research problem being investigated. To carry out review of literature, you need to locate, read and evaluate research documents, reports as well as thesis and other sources of academic materials. Review done for one particular research process must be extensive and thorough because it is aimed to obtain a detailed account of the problem being studied.
E.g., when it comes to resolving customer issues in a hotel the individuals come up with and resolve them in different ways as per the situation thus for someone who is new to the field may discuss and understand the nitty-gritty ‘s of developing his own ideas to handle such issue coping up in future. The reservation manager studies the historical occupancy patterns for the last two to three years to forecast the business volumes for the coming seasons. The reference to the available literature and the reviewing it has the following advantages:
a. Brings clarity and focus to the research problem: Available literature review also helps you to clearly understand the problem stated and issue that may need extra attention during actual process. It brings clarity and objectivity to the research problem and enables researcher to understand the relationship between the research problem and the body of knowledge in the area. Reviewing literature can be time-consuming, daunting and frustrating, but is also rewarding.
b. Improves the methodology: A review of literature enlightens us if others have used procedures and methods similar to the ones that are being proposed, which procedures and methods have yielded better results, and what problems they have come across in the process. This assures that the researcher would be in an advantageous position to pick a methodology capable of providing valid answers to the research questions.
c. Expands knowledge base in the research area: This is step in the direction of the researcher becoming more aware and having in-depth knowledge in the area of research as expected once the study is completed. It prompts the researcher to read extensively about the subject area in which research study is being conducted. It develops the expertise of the individual to be able to effectively contribute at later stages when an opportunity is available. It also helps to understand how the findings of the study fit into the on-hand body of knowledge.
d. Contextualizes your findings: It gives a base to add contexts to the question being raised and the problem being addressed. This clears the air around whatever is presented in form of findings by giving notations and references on how it has progressed from there, what contribution has the researcher made and how the findings differ from what has already been done.
References:
- Research for Marketing Decisions Paul E. Green, Donald S. Tull
- Marketing Research- Text and Cases Harper W. Boyd Jr. , Ralph Westfall.
- Research methodology in Social sciences, O.R.Krishnaswamy, Himalaya Publication
