TOPIC: RESEARCH DESIGN

I. What is Research Design?

Research design is the framework of research methods and techniques chosen

by a researcher to conduct a study. The design allows researchers to sharpen the
research methods suitable for the subject matter and set up their studies for success.

Creating a research topic explains the type of research (experimental, survey

research, correlational, semi-experimental, review) and its sub-type (experimental
design, research problem, descriptive case-study).

There are three main types of designs for research:

A. Data collection
 Let’s face it, no one wants to make decisions based on guesswork or gut
feelings. The most important objective of data collection is to ensure that the data
gathered is reliable and packed to the brim with juicy insights that can be
analyzed and turned into data-driven decisions. There’s nothing better than
good statistical analysis.
 Collecting high-quality data is essential for conducting market research,
analyzing user behavior, or just trying to get a handle on business operations.
With the right approach and a few handy tools, gathering reliable and informative
data.
 So, let’s get ready to collect some data because when it comes to data collection,
it’s all about the details.

What is Data Collection?

 Data collection is the procedure of collecting, measuring, and analyzing accurate
insights for research using standard validated techniques.
 Put simply, data collection is the process of gathering information for a specific
purpose. It can be used to answer research questions, make informed business
decisions, or improve products and services.
 To collect data, we must first identify what information we need and how we will
collect it. We can also evaluate a hypothesis based on collected data. In most
cases, data collection is the primary and most important step for research. The
approach to data collection is different for different fields of study, depending on
the required information.

Data Collection Methods

 There are many ways to collect information when doing research. The data
collection methods that the researcher chooses will depend on the research
question posed. Some data collection methods include surveys, interviews, tests,
physiological evaluations, observations, reviews of existing records, and
biological samples.

Phone vs. Online vs. In-Person Interviews

 Essentially there are four choices for data collection – in-person interviews, mail,
phone, and online. There are pros and cons to each of these modes.

 In-Person Interviews
o Pros: In-depth and a high degree of confidence in the data
o Cons: Time-consuming, expensive, and can be dismissed as
anecdotal
 Mail Surveys
o Pros: Can reach anyone and everyone – no barrier
o Cons: Expensive, data collection errors, lag time
 Phone Surveys
o Pros: High degree of confidence in the data collected, reach almost
anyone
o Cons: Expensive, cannot self-administer, need to hire an agency
 Web/Online Surveys
o Pros: Cheap, can self-administer, very low probability of data errors
o Cons: Not all your customers might have an email address/be on the
internet, customers may be wary of divulging information online.

B. Measurement

 a systematic procedure for assigning scores, meanings, and descriptions to

concepts so that those scores represent the characteristic of interest.

C. Data Analysis

 Nowadays, data is collected at various stages of processes and transactions,

which has the potential to improve the way we work significantly. However, to
fully realize the value of data analysis, this data must be analyzed to gain
valuable insights into improving products and services.
  But what is it in simple words? It summarizes collected data. It involves the
interpretation of data gathered using analytical and logical reasoning to
determine patterns, relationships or trends.

DATA ANALYSIS: STEP TO STEP GUIDE

Step 1: Define your questions

Start by selecting the right questions. Questions should be measurable, clear, and
concise. Design your questions to qualify or disqualify possible solutions to your specific
problem.

Step 2: Establish measurement priorities

This step divides into two sub-steps:

1. Decide what to measure: Analyze what kind of data you need.

2. Decide how to measure it: Thinking about how to measure your data is just
as important, especially before the data collection phase, because your
measurement process supports or discredits your thematic analysis later on.

Step 3: Collect data

With the question clearly defined and your measurement priorities established, now it’s
time to collect your data. As you manage and organize your data, remember to keep
these essential points in mind:

 Before collecting new data, determine what information you could gather from
existing databases or sources.
 Determine a storage and file naming system to help all team members
collaborate in advance. This process saves time and prevents team members
from collecting the same information twice.
 If you need to collect data through surveys, observation, or interviews, develop a
questionnaire in advance to ensure consistency and save time.
 Keep the collected data organized with a log of collection dates and add any
source notes as you go along.

Step 4: Analyze the data

Once you’ve collected the correct data to answer your Step 1 question, it’s time to
conduct a deeper statistical analysis. Find relationships, identify trends, and sort and
filter your data according to variables. You will find the exact data you need as you
analyze the data.

Step 5: Interpret the results

After analyzing the data and possibly conducting further research, it is finally time to
interpret the results. Ask yourself these key questions:

 Does the data answer your original question? How?

 Does the data help you defend any objections? How?
 Are there any limitations to the conclusions, any angles you haven’t considered?
If the interpretation of data holds up under these questions and considerations, you have
reached a productive conclusion. The only remaining step is to use the process results
to decide how you will act.

The research problem an organization faces will determine the design, not vice-versa.
The design phase of a study determines which tools to use and how they are used.
II. The Process of Research Design
The research design process is a systematic and structured approach to conducting
research. The process is essential to ensure that the study is valid, reliable, and
produces meaningful results.

1. Consider your aims and approaches: Determine the research questions and
objectives, and identify the theoretical framework and methodology for the
study.
2. Choose a type of Research Design: Select the appropriate research design,
such as experimental, correlational, survey, case study, or ethnographic,
based on the research questions and objectives.
3. Identify your population and sampling method: Determine the target
population and sample size, and choose the sampling method, such
as random, stratified random sampling, or convenience sampling.
4. Choose your data collection methods: Decide on the data collection
methods, such as surveys, interviews, observations, or experiments, and
select the appropriate instruments or tools for collecting data.
5. Plan your data collection procedures: Develop a plan for data collection,
including the timeframe, location, and personnel involved, and ensure ethical
considerations.
6. Decide on your data analysis strategies: Select the appropriate data
analysis techniques, such as statistical analysis, content analysis, or discourse
analysis, and plan how to interpret the results.

The process of research design is a critical step in conducting research. By following the
steps of research design, researchers can ensure that their study is well-planned,
ethical, and rigorous.

III. Research Design Elements

Impactful research usually creates a minimum bias in data and increases trust in the
accuracy of collected data. A design that produces the slightest margin of error in
experimental research is generally considered the desired outcome. The essential
elements are:

1. Accurate purpose statement

2. Techniques to be implemented for collecting and analyzing research
3. The method applied for analyzing collected details
4. Type of research methodology
5. Probable objections to research
6. Settings for the research study
7. Timeline
8. Measurement of analysis