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Research Design (Methods & Tools used in Research) -by Mr. Piyush L. Agrawal (M.Pharm Ist Year)

What is research? :
What is research? It is systematic process of collecting & analysing information in order to increase our knowledge &
understanding of the phenomenon about which we are interested . Points of discussion are features of good design,
types of Research Design , basic principles of experimental design .

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Basic Steps for research project: Select a topic Review existing research and theory that are relevant Develop a
hypothesis or research question/s Determine the appropriate methodology/research design Collect relevant data
Analyze and interpret the results Present the results in an appropriate form Research is basically scientific. Purpose:
to provide an objective, unbiased evaluation of data.

Developing a Research Project :
Developing a Research Project The Elements of Research Design

Stages in the Research Process :
Stages in the Research Process Define Problem Planning a Research Design Planning a Sample Gathering the Data
Processing and Analysing the Data Conclusions and Report

Prior consideration f0r research design :
Prior consideration f0r research design Pre-planning (sources, types of information , research problem ) source of
information to be collect and analyze. Time and budgets for the work. PURPOSE OF RESEARCH DESIGN To guide
the investigator in answering the research problem

What is research design ? :
What is research design ? Research design is the arrangement of conditions for collection & analysis of data in a
manner that aims to combine relevance to the research purpose with economy in procedure --johoda, deutsch &
cook or the planned sequence of the entire process involved in conducting a research study --miller General
definition : the plan , structure & strategy of investigation conceived so as to obtain answers to research questions
and control variance The research design is the master plan specifying the methods and procedures for collecting
and analyzing the needed information.

Introduction :
Introduction It includes Conceptual structure for the proposed research Blue prints (plan , models ) for the collection ,
measurement & analysis of data . Writing of hypothesis ------------- final analysis of data Study as what , why, when
,period of study ,sample design , techniques report operations

The design may be described as :
The design may be described as

Steps in research design :
Steps in research design Broad plan developed Preliminary Data collection Broad plan revised

Need for research design :
Need for research design It facillitates smooth sailing of various research operation It makes research efficient as
possible yielding,maximum information with minimal expenditure of effort ,time and money. Eg . House building we
require map of house Similarly we require research design for data collection and analysis of data of our research
project .

Featurs of good design :
Featurs of good design flexibility , economical ,efficient ,appropriateness Minimization of bias Maximization of
reliability of data A design which gives smallest experimental error Source of information ,skill of researcher and his
staff Studies related to objective and nature of research problem All above must consider while preparation of a
research design

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Types of Research Design Exploratory / Formulative research studies Descriptive & diagnostic research studies
Hypothesis testing/ Experimental research studies

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Basic Research Objectives and Research Design Research Objective Appropriate Design To gain background
information, to define terms, to clarify Exploratory problems and develop hypotheses, to establish Research priorities,
to develop questions to be answered To describe and measure marketing phenomena at a point Descriptive in time
To determine causality, test hypotheses, to make if-then Causal statements, to answer questions

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Research Design: Exploratory Research Exploratory research is used in a number of situations: To gain background
information To define terms To clarify problems and hypotheses To establish research priorities A variety of methods
are available to conduct exploratory research: Secondary Data Analysis Experience Surveys Case Analysis &
interviews Focus Groups Projective Techniques

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Research Design: Descriptive & Diagnostic Research (survey design) Descriptive research is undertaken to provide
answers to questions of who, what, where, when, and how but not why. Descriptive research describes
characteristics of particular group, individual Diagnostic research is the frequency with which something occurs or its
association with something else Need of such design is to obtain complete and accurate information of said studies to
get maximum reliability and minimum bias.

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Research Design: Hypothesis testing Research studies / Experimental studies Researchers test hypothesis of
causal relationship between variables It will not Bias and Reliability but will permit interference about causality (to
prevent from wrong direction). It is the design of experiment. Professor R.A. Fisher at Rothamsted Experimental
Station (agriculture research centre at england ) was first to formulate such experimental for testing hypothesis by
scientific investigation and help a technique to more reliability. He divided the agriculture land into bloks and stuided
more efficient and finally obtained yield.

The 3 Basic principles of Experimental design: :
The 3 Basic principles of Experimental design: According to Prof. Fisher Principle of 1. Replication (Repeatation of
experiment more than once statistical accuracy ) 2. Randomization (in case of extraneous factor say differences in
soil fertility) 3. Local Control (combination of above locally by making blocks) Eg. Land used under cultivation of Rice

Replication: :
Replication: Eg.

Randomization: :
Randomization:

Local Control: block pattern :
Local Control: block pattern

Factors affecting research design :
Factors affecting research design Non availability of sufficient data & resources like money , manpower , skill
personels and ability of research schloars . Inadequate time in formulation of research design Unforesen
development during the course of design which are uncontrollable (eg. Cyclone, floods etc. ) Results of preliminary
studies Depends on precesion ,reliability ,relevance of data and their analysis Evaluation of research design

Conclusion :
Conclusion An unplanned research work may entail a lot of fruitless labour and wastage of time , money and effort .
The work in research design , thus starts after selection problem and ends before collection of data . The gap
between two should bridged carefully with a well-planned research design Reliance of the results can be placed only
when the research work has been carefully planned from start to end.

Summary : :
Summary : Components of a Research Design Title of study ( brief & precise ) Statement of problem Review of
literature (survey studies ) Area and scope of study Objective of study Hypothesis formulation Concepts & metodlogy
Sample design Constrution of shedule for interviews Collection &analysis of data Interpretation and reporting the
findings Time & financial budgeting

References: :
References: Kothari C.R. , Research Methodology. Methods and Techniques , ed.2 Delhi ,New age international
publishers, 2001 , pg.no. 31-41. P.S.G. Kumar ,Research methods and Statistical techniques B.R.Publishing
corporation Delhi, pg.no. 79 204. Internet

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Thank you for your kind attention Go forth and research..but be careful out there.