RESEARCH DESIGN

By Dr. Anamika Ray

Assistant Professor in Mass CommunicationGauhati University, Assam, India

Concept

Research design means the basic outline or blue

print of a research work, which helps to collect the

proper data, to analyze those data to find out a

research out come. Research design can be

considered as the advance planning of a study,

which should be very efficient in nature and should

help the researcher to avoid misleading path to get

the correct conclusion of the study.

The research design should include a few questions………….

What is the study all about?

What is the significance of the study?

Who will be benefited?

When and where the research will be conducted?

Etc…

The research may have four parts….

Sampling design –It deals with the method of

selecting sample to be observed in the research.

Observational design – It relates to the conditions

under which the observation are being made.

Statistical design- It concerns with questions of how

many items are to be observed and how the gathered

data is to be analyzed.

Operational design- It deals with the technique by which

the procedure specified in the sampling, statistical and

observational design can be carried out.

Elements Of Research Design

Clear statement of research problem

Clear objectives

Literature review

The population to be studied

The sample to be studied

Procedures and techniques to be used for gathering

information

Methods to be used in processing and analyzing the

data

Features Of A Good Design

Carry an advanced clear picture of the study

Flexible in nature

Appropriately designed

Efficient in functioning

Economical and affordable to conduct

Well organized for better result

Completion within the time frame

Minimizing biasness

Maximizing reliability of the data

Explanation of Key Terms in Research Design

Dependent and Independent variables- Variable means factor. A

variable free from any influence is called dependent variable.

Independent variable always has to depend on the dependent

variable. As height increases due the increase of age. So here the

dependent variable is height and the independent variable is age.

Height depends upon age.

Extraneous variables- All the extra un connected variables other

than dependent and independent variables are called extraneous

variables

Control – Control in research always tries to minimize the

influence or effect of extraneous variable for smooth running of

the study.

Confounded relationship- When the dependent variable is not

free from the influence of extraneous variable, the relationship

between the dependent and independent variable is said to be

confounded by an extraneous variable. In a nutshell it can be

said the confused relationship may hamper the authentic out

come of the research work

Research hypothesis- It is prediction or assumption

on the research out come before doing a study.

Experimental and non experimental hypothesis –

In experimental research hypothesis testing, the

independent variable is manipulated. On the other

hand if independent variable is not manipulated, that

is called non experimental research hypothesis testing

Treatments- Here experimental and control

groups are examined.

Experiment- Examining the truth is known as

experiment.

Experimental units- The predetermined plots,

where different treatments are used.

Principle of replication- The experiments should

be repeated more than once.

Principle of randomization – It is called “chance.

Research Design in

Exploratory Research and Descriptive Research

On the basis of statistical design, exploratory is not pre-

planned design for analysis and descriptive is pre-

planned design for analysis.

On the basis of observational design, the exploratory

research uses unstructured instruments for collection of

data and descriptive research uses structured

instruments for collection of data

On the basis of sampling design, exploratory research

supports non probability sampling design and descriptive

study supports probability sampling design

On the basis of operational design , no fixed decisions

about the operational procedures is usually taken in

exploratory research and in descriptive study an advance

decision about operational procedures is taken.

Types Of Experimental Designs

Informal Experimental Designs

Before- and-after without control design

After-only with control design

Before-and- after with control design

Formal Experimental Designs

Complete randomized design

Randomized block design

Latin square design

Factorial designs

Golden Rule…..

Proper, authentic, relevant and requiredresearch design can help the researcher to get

the successful research out come.

Thank you