A Project Report On

“Research Design”

Submitted to: Submitted by:

Mr. Sanil Deepanshu Rathee
(Asst. Proff.) LL.M.
 Declaration

I Deepanshu Rathee hereby declare that the project work entitled “Research Design” submitted
to the SRM University Haryana, is a record of an original work done by me under the guidance
of Mr. Sanil and this project work is submitted in the partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the award of the degree of LL.M. The results embodied in this project have not been submitted
to any other University or Institute for the award of any degree or diploma.

Place:

Date: Deepanshu Rathee

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 Certificate

I Mr. Sanil certify that Deepanshu Rathee has successfully completed the project “Research
Design” under the guidance of me during the year 2021.

Sign. Of Teacher

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 Acknowledgement

I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to my Asst Prof. Mr. Sanil, who gave me
the golden opportunity to do this wonderful project on the topic “Research Design”, which also
helped me in doing a lot of Research and I came to know about so many new things I am really
thankful to her. Secondly I would also like to thank my friends who helped me a lot in finalizing
this project within the limited time frame.

Deepanshu Rathee

LL.M.

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 Table of Content

1. Declaration ……………………………………….……………………………........... (i)

2. Certificate ……………………………………………………………………………. (ii)
3. Acknowledgement …………………………………………………………………... (iii)
4. Introduction …………………………………………………………………………… 1
5. Characteristics of Research…..………………………..……………………………......2
6. Meaning of Research Design.……….……………………………………………….…3-4
7. Significance of Research Design……………………………………………...………..5-7
8. Types of Research Design ……………………………………………………………..8-12
9. Conclusion………………………………………………………………………….…..13

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INTRODUCTION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH:-

Research is a systematic investigation to search for new facts in any branch of knowledge.
Research helps to arrive at new conclusions. It enables to find solutions to certain problems.
Research is often referred to as ‘Scientific inquiry’ for facts needs to be undertaken
systematically and not arbitrarily. The systematic approach to research enables the research to
research for facts in a rational manner and to arrive at logical conclusions, whereas, the arbitrary
approach attempts to find solutions to problems based on one’s belief and imagination. This is
also clearly says that research methods used to conduct the study. The
researcher explains how the necessary data and information to address the research objectives
and questions w a s collected, presented and analyzed. Reasons and
j u s t i f i c a t i o n s f o r t h e r e s e a r c h d e s i g n , research instruments, data sources, data
collection techniques, data presentation techniques and analytical techniques are used . The
design of any research project requires considerable attention to the research methods and the
proposed data analysis. Within this , we have attempted to provide some information about how
to produce a research design for a study, a basic overview of the research methods portion of a
research proposal and then some data analysis templates for different types of designs. The main
goal is not to answer every question, but provide a head start.

Characteristic of Research:-

1] Scientific method:

Scientific research in any field of knowledge cannot be conducted in a haphazard manner.

Scientific research cannot be merely based on one’s beliefs and imagination. To get the best
possible research results, the researcher needs to adopt the scientific method of inquiry or
investigation.

2] Objective and Logical:

The scientific research is objective and logical in nature. Research is based on valid procedures
and principles. There is a need to collect relevant, accurate and objective data to investigate into

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the research problem. Wherever, the researcher also needs to systematically verify the findings
and conclusions.

3] Applied and Basic Research:

Applied research is designed to solve practical problems of the modern world, rather than to
acquire knowledge for knowledge’s sake. The goal of applied research is to improve the human
condition. It is generally used to solve a particular problem.

4] Generalisation:

Research findings can be applied to larger population. A researcher can conduct research on a
sample of respondents that represent the universe. The sample selection should be done
systematically so that it properly represents the whole population or the universe.

5] Development of Principles and Theories:

A systematic research helps to develop new principles and theories. Such principles and theories
can be useful to several organisations to manage and deal with people and things in a better way.
The general laws or theories developed through research may enable us to make reliable
predictions of events, which have not yet occurred.

6] Multipurpose Activity:

Research is multipurpose activity. It helps to discover new facts or verify old facts. It helps not
only to predict future events, but also may help to control such events. It establish causal
relationship between variables. It also helps to develop new scientific tools, concepts and
theories, which would facilitate reliable and valid study of human behaviour and other aspects.

7] Manipulation of concepts:

The researcher tries to manipulate things, or concepts. The manipulation or purposeful control of
things, or concepts is done with a definite purpose so as to arrive at statements of generality. For
instance, a researcher may manipulate the environmental in a workplace such as lighting, or
layout or seating arrangement to find out its impact on the productivity of the employees.

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8] Quantitative and Qualitative Research:

Research undertaken to measures quantity or amount is called as quantitative research. For

instance, research undertaken to find out the number of unemployed graduates or the number of
unemployed in general. On the other hand, research, which is undertaken to find out the quality
of a particular situation or phenomenon, is called as qualitative research. For instance, a research
undertaken to find out the reasons as to why employees remain absent from work, or why people
behave in certain manner.

MEANING OF RESEARCH DESIGN AND SAMPLE DESIGN:-

Research Design:-

A research design is utilized to structure the research, to indicate that all the major elements of
the research have been designed to work together. There are numerous types of research designs
that one may decide to use. A research design as “a blueprint for performing a study with
maximum control over factors which could interfere with the validity of the findings. It is a plan
which explains how, when and where data are to be collected and analyzed”.

The researcher’s overall for answering the research question or testing the research hypothesis.
Thus the obligatory for a researcher to undertake research design.

Research design which as follows:

(a) the sampling design that relates to the process of selecting items to be observed for the
provided research.

(b) the observational design that pertains to the conditions under which the observations are to be
made.

(c) the statistical design that concerns with the question of how many items are to be observed
and the way the information and data collected should be analyzed.

(d) the operational design that is concerned with the techniques through which the procedures
given in the sampling, statistical and observational designs can be executed.

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The key features of a research design are:

(i)It is a plan which describes the sources and kinds of information strongly related to the
research problem.

(ii) It is a strategy indicating which method will be employed for collecting and examining the
data.

(iii) It also consists of the time and cost budgets because most studies are done under these two
limitations.

(iv)Research design is what makes the entire research project work without it, you’ve just got a
lot of material but absolutely no way of using it correctly or putting it together.

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SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH DESIGN AND SAMPLE DESIGN:-

1] Guidelines to the Researcher:

Research design provides to the researcher in respect of:

• When to start and when to complete the research work?

• What data to be collected?

• From where the data to be collected?

• How the data to be collected?, etc.

2 Organizing Resources:

Research design facilitates organizing of resources for collecting the data. The resources include:

• Funds required for collecting the data.

• The manpower to collect the data.

3] Directions to the Research Staff:

The research design provides necessary directions to the research staff.

• Sources of data.

• Techniques for collecting data.

• Resources to be utilised.

4] Selection of Techniques:

Research design helps to select appropriate techniques both for data collection and data analysis.
There are various methods of data collection such as:

• Survey or Interview.

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• Observation.

5] Collection of Relevant Data:-

Research design helps to collect the relevant data and that too within a certain time frame. For
instance, the research design indicates:

• The area of research.

• Universe of research.

• Sample size, etc.

6] Time Saving:

Sampling helps to save time in respect of collection and analysis of data. For instance, if 1000
respondents are selected out of total universe of 10 lack, then data collection can be done at a
faster rate, and also data analysis. Therefore, the researcher can get quick research results, and
accordingly can take time action.

7] Overcomes Complexities:

Sampling helps to reduce the complexities in research work. If a limited sample is used, then,
fewer respondents are required to collect data. As a result, the researcher may require less time
for editing, coding, and interpretation of data.

8] Detailed Information:-

Due to sampling, the researcher can collect detailed information from the sample respondents.
For instance: in the case of commercial research relating to the study of consumer behaviour, the
researcher can obtain detailed information in respect of;

• What the consumer buy?

• When the buy?

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9] Economical:

Sampling generates economy in conducting research. For any research, availability of funds is a
constraint. A smaller sample requires less funds not only for data collection but also for
processing and interpretation of data. Especially, in the case of academic research money is a big
problem. Therefore, the researcher will select a limited sample size to conduct the research
activity.

10] Suitability:

The sampling technique is suitable in the case of commercial and academic research. But the
sampling technique is not suitable in the case of census survey. This is because, in census survey,
relevant data must be collected from every household or every element of the universe.

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TYPES OF RESEARCH DESIGN:-

Types of research design can be broadly divided into two groups:

Types Of Research Design:-

(A) Exploratory Research.

(B) Conclusive Research.

1] Descriptive Research.

2] Diagnostic Research.

(A)Exploratory Research:-

Exploratory research is to guide the survey design and question building process, your entire
research goals may be heading in the wrong direction. Let’s say we are creating a restaurant
feedback survey with the end goal of identifying and improving upon our restaurant`s weak
points. We may decide to make respondents rate their level of happiness with our restaurant`s
customer service, menu selection, and food quality. Though this list may seem extensive to us, it
is completely possible for a significant portion of respondents to be most dissatisfied with
ulterior issues like the restaurant’s atmosphere or location. However, without any preliminary
exploratory research to identify this, our survey will miss these issues. Used properly,
exploratory research will provide rich quality information that will help identify the main issues
that should be addressed in our surveys and significantly reduce a research project’s level of bias
and there are also the different ways people can use exploratory research in their projects.

The following Ways to Implement Exploratory Research into a Research Plan:-

1] Focus Groups:

A focus group most commonly contains 8 to 12 people fitting the description of the target sample
group and asks them specific questions on the issues and subjects being researched. Sometimes,
focus groups will also host interactive exercises during the session and request feedback on what

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was given. This depends on what is being researched, like a food sampling for a fast food chain
or maybe a presentation of potential advertisements for an anti-smoking campaign. Focus groups
continue to be one of the most common uses of exploratory research, providing researchers with
a great foundation on where people stand on an issue. The open and natural discussion format of
a focus groups allows for a wider variety of perspectives in a shorter period of time.

2] Secondary Research:

It is almost impossible to come up with a research topic that hasn’t been conducted before.
Beyond this, when it comes to designing your survey and research plan, it is usually not best to
reinvent the wheel. All research strategies can benefit from reviewing similar studies taken and
learning from their results. Consider your organization’s previous research as free direction on
how you should design your present research goals. For example, if you are running your second
annual customer feedback survey, look at the questions that were provided the most useful
information and reuse them in your new survey. External secondary research can also help you
perfect your research design. Beyond reviewing other organizations’ research projects, social
media like blogs and forums can give you a better sense of the issues, opinions and behaviours
that go along with your research’s subject matter.

3] Expert Surveys:

Expert surveys allow us to gain information from specialists in a field that we are less qualified
or knowledgeable in. For example, if I was tasked with surveying the public’s stance and
awareness on environmental issues, I could create a preliminary expert survey for a selected
group of environmental authorities. It would ask broad open-ended questions that are designed to
receive large amounts of content, providing the freedom for the experts to demonstrate their
knowledge. With their input, I would be able to create a survey covering all sides of the issues.

4] Open-Ended Questions:

All open-ended questions in your survey are exploratory in nature. The mere fact that you allow
respondents to provide any feedback they please, gives you the opportunity to gain insights on
topics you haven’t previously thought of. Adding a few open-ended questions in surveys with
large amounts of respondents can be somewhat difficult and time-consuming to sort through, but

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it can indicate important trends and opinions for further research. For example, let’s say we own
a news website and asked our visitors the open-ended question, ‘What would you like to see
improved most on our website?’ After analyzing the responses, we identify the top three
discussed areas: 1) Navigation, 2) Quality of Information 3) Visual Displays. We can then use
these three topics as our main focus or research objectives for a new survey that will look to
statistically quantify people’s issues with the website with closed-ended questions.

(B)Conclusive Research:-

Conclusive research design, as the name implies, is applied to generate findings that are
practically useful in reaching conclusions or decision-making. Conclusive research design
usually involves the application of quantitative methods of data collection and data analysis.
Moreover, conclusive studies tend to be deductive in nature and research objectives in these
types of studies are achieved via testing hypotheses. It has to be noted that “conclusive research
is more likely to use statistical tests, advanced analytical techniques, and larger sample sizes,
compared with exploratory studies. Conclusive research is more likely to use quantitative, rather
than qualitative techniques”.

Conclusive research design can be divided into two categories: descriptive research and
causal research:

(i)Descriptive research is used to describe some functions or characteristics of phenomenon and

can be further divided into the following groups:

1]Case study.

2]Case series study.

3]Cross-sectional study.

4]Longitudinal study.

5] Retrospective study.

(ii) Causal research, on the other hand, is used to research cause and affect relationships. Two
popular research methods for causal studies are experimental and quasi-experimental studies.

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1. Descriptive research design: In a descriptive design, a researcher is solely interested in
describing the situation or case under their research study. It is a theory-based design method
which is created by gathering, analyzing, and presenting collected data. This allows a researcher
to provide insights into the why and how of research. Descriptive design helps others better
understand the need for the research. If the problem statement is not clear, you can conduct
exploratory research.

2. Experimental research design: Experimental research design establishes a relationship

between the cause and effect of a situation. It is a causal design where one observes the impact
caused by the independent variable on the dependent variable. For example, one monitors the
influence of an independent variable such as a price on a dependent variable such as customer
satisfaction or brand loyalty. It is a highly practical research design method as it contributes to
solving a problem at hand. The independent variables are manipulated to monitor the change it
has on the dependent variable. It is often used in social sciences to observe human behavior by
analyzing two groups. Researchers can have participants change their actions and study how the
people around them react to gain a better understanding of social psychology.

3. Correlational research design: Correlational research is a non-experimental research design

technique that helps researchers establish a relationship between two closely connected variables.
This type of research requires two different groups. There is no assumption while evaluating a
relationship between two different variables, and statistical analysis techniques calculate the
relationship between them.

A correlation coefficient determines the correlation between two variables, whose value ranges
between -1 and +1. If the correlation coefficient is towards +1, it indicates a positive relationship
between the variables and -1 means a negative relationship between the two variables.

4. Diagnostic research design: In diagnostic design, the researcher is looking to evaluate the
underlying cause of a specific topic or phenomenon. This method helps one learn more about the
factors that create troublesome situations.

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This design has three parts of the research:

· Inception of the issue

· Diagnosis of the issue

· Solution for the issue

5. Explanatory research design: Explanatory design uses a researcher’s ideas and thoughts on a
subject to further explore their theories. The research explains unexplored aspects of a subject
and details about what, how, and why of research questions.

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Conclusion

Research design can be considered the blueprint for any research study. The design will set up
how the experiment will go. It determines the dependent and independent variables in the study.
There are many different research designs that can be used. Some of these designs include:
descriptive, correlation, experimental, and review. Qualitative and/or quantitative research
methods can be used to collect data for the studies. For a study to be valid, there must internal
and external variable-related validity factors. The internal validity is when an efficient test of the
hypothesis has been done. External validity is when the research can be applied to things outside
of the study or in other studies. Usually, a study that contains high internal validity will have
alow external validity. There are several strengths and limitations to experimental research. A
few strengths are that experimental research can be repeated and that the environment can be
controlled. Some limitations include situations that cannot be applied in real-life and typically
will not answer the “why” question.

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