RESEARCH DESIGNS

research design is an arrangement of conditions for collection & analysis of data in the manner that aims to combine relevance to the research purpose with economy in procedure. It is the conceptual structure within which research is conducted.

Important concepts relating to research designs

1.Dependent & independent variable: A concept that can take different quantitative values is called a variable. e.g. weight, height. Phenomenon which can take on different quantitative values even in decimals are known as continuous variables e.g. age If variables can only be expressed in integer values they are known as Discrete variables e.g. No. of children

If one variable depends upon or is a consequence of the other variable is termed as Dependent variable Opposite to this is independent variable e.g. if height depends upon age then height is a dependent variable & age is independent variable

2.Extraneous variable Independent variables that are not related to the purpose of the study, but may effect the dependent variable. e.g. to test the hypothesis there is relationship between childrens gain in social studies (dependent variable) & self concept (independent variable). However intelligence may also affect the achievement Whatever effect is noticed upon the dependent variable as a result of extraneous variable is technically termed as Experimental error

3. Control : The technical term control is used when we design the study minimizing the effect of extraneous variable It is used to refer to the restrain experimental conditions 4. Research hypothesis : It is a predictive statement that relates an independent to a dependent variables which is to be objectively verified or the relationships assumed are to be tested

6.Experimental & non experimental hypothesis testing research: When the purpose of research is to test a research hypothesis it is termed as hypothesis testing research Research in which the independent variable is manipulated is termed as experimental hypothesis testing research Opposite to this is non experimental hypothesis testing research.

7. Experimental & control group: In experimental hypothesis when a group is exposed to usual conditions it is termed as

control group

When the group is exposed to some special conditions it is known as experimental group 8.Treatments: The different conditions under which experimental &control groups are put are usually referred to as treatments

9. Experiments: The process of examining the truth of a hypothesis relating to some research problem 10.Experimental units: The predetermined plots or blocks ,where treatments are used are known as experimental units

DIFFERENT RESEARCH DESIGNS

Different

research designs may be categorized as

Exploratory

research design Descriptive research design Hypothesis research design

1.Exploratory research design

Also termed as formulative research studies Major emphasis is on discovery of new ideas & insights The designs should have been an inbuilt flexibility as many transformation will take place during the study Generally 3 methods in context to these designs is talked of. They are

Survey of concerning literature Experience survey Analysis of insight stimulating examples

Survey of concerning literature Hypothesis stated by earlier workers may be reviewed & their usefulness be evaluated as a basis of further research. It may be reviewed whether already stated hypothesis suggest new hypothesis b. Experience survey Means the survey of people who have had practical experience with the problem to be studied. For such a survey people who are competent & can contribute new ideas may be carefully selected as respondents to ensure a representation of different types of experience.
a.

The respondent may be interviewed ,an interview schedule may be prepared for systematic questioning but the interviewer must ensure flexibility in the sense that respondent should be allowed to raise the issues & questions which the investigator had not previously considered.

c. Analysis of insight stimulating examples: It is also a fruitful method & suitable in areas where there is less experience to serve as a guide The method consists of the intensive study of selected instances of the phenomenon in which one is interested For this past records, if any may be examined, unstructured interview may be carried out. Attitude of the researcher, intensity of the study, ability pf the researcher to draw the diverse information into unified interpretation are main features.

2.Descriptive research design

Are those studies concerned with describing the characteristics of a particular individual or of group. The researcher must be able to define clearly that what he wants to measure. i.e. whether diagnostic or description The design must be rigid & not flexible. It should have provision against biased ness

It must focus attention on the following:

Formulating

the objective of study Designing he methods of data collection Selecting the sample Collecting the data Processing & analysis of data Reporting the findings

The difference between the research designs in the above 2 research studies are
Research Type of study design EXPLORATORY DESCRIPTIVE Overall design Sampling Flexible (considers various aspects) Can be non probability Rigid (works at minimizing biased ness) Probability designs

Data collection

Instrument can be unstructured

Structured instruments