Chapter-3

Business Research

and
Implementation

Contents
The meaning of business research design Need for research design Characteristics of a good research design Research design concepts Classification of research design Choosing a research design Benefits of research design

Basic Principles of Experimental Design

Experimental Validity: Internal Validity, External Validity. Experimental Environment: Laboratory Environment, Field Environment Types of Experimental Designs: PreExperimental Designs, True Experimental Designs, Quasi-experimental Designs. Statistical Designs, Completely randomized design (CBD), Randomized block design, Latin square design, and Factorial design.

The Meaning of Business Research Design

Business research design can be defined as the arrangement of conditions for collection and analysis of data in a manner that aims to be relevant to the research purpose with economy in procedure. The design helps a researcher to utilize available resources efficiently to achieve research objectives.

NEED FOR RESEARCH DESIGN The research design is essential for planning research activities. It facilitates the smooth flow of various research processes.

Characteristics of Good Research Design

Some important characteristics of a good research design are flexibility, adaptability, efficiency, being economical and so on. Important factors for an ideal design are: Identifying the exact research problem to be studied The objective of the research The process of obtaining information The availability of adequate and skilled manpower The availability of adequate financial resources for carrying out research.

RESEARCH DESIGN CONCEPTS

The following are the important concepts of design Dependent and independent variables Extraneous variable Control Confounded relationship Research hypothesis Experimental and non experimental hypothesis testing research Experimental and control groups Treatments Experiment Experimental units

CLASSIFICATION OF RESEARCH DESIGNS

The research design can be classified as follows: Exploratory studies, which include techniques like secondary data analysis, experience surveys, focus groups and two stage design. Descriptive studies Causal studies under which causal relationships such as symmetrical, reciprocal and asymmetrical relationships are studied.

CHOOSING A RESEARCH DESIGN

A researcher is confronted with a number of research designs. These can be classified into eight different categories that are given below: The degree of formality desired Purpose of the study Method of data collection Control of variables The time dimension The scope of study The research environment Subjects perceptions

BENEFITS OF RESEARCH DESIGNS

There are several benefits of a good research design, some of which are given below: A well-formulated research design acts as a bridge or conduit between the final objective and the method of study to achieve the objectives. A good research design will improve the success rate probability of an organisation. It anticipate the clients requirements in terms of results and helps in proper data analysis, so that it can be represented as a useful finding for the client.