Research design: elements and characteristics

The Research design is defined as the methods and techniques chosen by a researcher, which he or she combines in a reasonably logical manner to solve the research problem efficiently.

The design is a guide for “how” the research should be conducted using a particular methodology. Every researcher has a list of questions that need to be evaluated.

The research design can be used to create an overview of how the research should be carried out. Therefore, market research is conducted based on the research design.

Why develop a research design?

The design of a research topic is used to explain the type of research (experimental research, surveys, correlational research, semi-experimental research) and also its sub-type (experimental design, research problem, descriptive case study).

There are three main phases of research design:

• elevation
• measurement and
• Data analysis.

The type of research problem an organization faces determines the research design, not the other way around.

The variables, the information collection tools, the way the data collection and analysis tools are used, and other factors are determined in the design based on a technique.

An effective design typically results in minimal data bias and increases confidence in the information collected and analysed.

The research design that produces the smallest margin of error in experimental research can be considered the best.

Elements of a research design

The essential elements of a research design are:

• Statement of the exact purpose of the research design
• Techniques to be used for research data collection
• Method for analyzing the collected data
• Types of research methodology
• Likely objections to research
• Framework conditions for the research study
• Timetable
• Measurement of analysis

Characteristics of a research design

There are 4 main characteristics of a research design:

neutrality: The results projected in the design should be free from bias and neutral.

Understand the opinions of multiple people on the final assessments and conclusions and take into account those who agree with the results obtained.

Reliability: When a study is conducted regularly, the researcher involved expects similar results to be calculated each time.

The design of a research study should indicate how the research questions can be formulated to ensure the standard of results obtained and this can only happen if the research design is reliable.

   |  Discover the Types of research for market research.

validity: There are a variety of measurement tools for design, but valid measurement tools are those that help the researcher measure the results according to the research objective and nothing else. The questionnaire developed from this research design is then valid.

Generalizability: The result of the design must be applicable to a population and not just a limited sample. Generalizability is one of the most important features of research design.

Types of research

A researcher must have a clear understanding of the different types of research designs in order to choose the right design for their study. The research design can be roughly divided into a quantitative and a qualitative design.

Qualitative research design

Qualitative research is carried out in cases where a relationship is established between the collected data and observation based on mathematical calculations.

Theories related to a natural phenomenon can be proven or disproven using mathematical calculations.

Researchers rely on a qualitative design in which they are expected to conclude “why” a particular theory exists and “what” respondents have to say about it.

Quantitative design

Quantitative research is conducted in cases where it is important for a researcher to draw statistical conclusions in order to gather actionable information.

Numbers provide a better perspective to make important business decisions. Quantitative research design is crucial for the growth of any organization as conclusions based on numbers and analysis prove effective for the business.

In addition, research design can be divided into five types of research.

Descriptive design

In a descriptive design, the researcher is only interested in describing the situation or case that is the subject of his research study.

It is a theory-based design created by collecting, analyzing and presenting the collected data. By applying such in-depth design, a researcher can provide insight into the why and how of research.

Experimental research design

Experimental research design is used to establish a relationship between cause and effect of a situation. It is a research design in which the effect caused by the independent variable on the dependent variable is observed.

For example, the effect of an independent variable such as price on a dependent variable such as customer satisfaction or brand loyalty is observed. This is a very practical design as it helps solve a problem.

The independent variables are manipulated to observe the effects on the dependent variable. It is often used in the social sciences to observe human behavior by analyzing two groups and the effects of one group on the other.

Correlation design

Correlational research is a non-experimental design technique that helps researchers establish a relationship between two closely related variables.
Two different groups are required to complete this design. No assumptions are made when evaluating a relationship between two different variables and statistical analysis techniques are used to calculate the relationship between them.

The correlation between two variables is determined by a correlation coefficient whose value is between -1 and +1. A correlation coefficient of +1 indicates a positive relationship between the variables, while a value of -1 indicates a negative relationship between the two variables.

Diagnostic research design

In this design, the researcher focuses on determining the cause of a specific problem.
Here the elements that contribute to a problematic situation are assessed.

The diagnostic research design consists of three parts:

• Problem introduction
• Diagnosis
• Solution

Explanatory research design

Here the researcher's ideas and thoughts are the focus as they mainly depend on his personal inclination towards a particular topic. Unexplored aspects of a topic are explained and what, how and why they relate to the research questions. Learn more about the characteristics of explanatory research.

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KEYWORDS OF THIS BLOG POST

Research design | Research | Design