Research Design

Source: Research Methodology –

Methods and Techniques
C R Kothari
 Meaning of Research Design
• Decisions regarding what, where, when, how
much, by what means concerning an inquiry
or a research study constitutes a research
design. It is the conceptual structure within
which research is conducted; it constitutes the
blueprint for the collection, measurement and
analysis of data.
 Features of a good design
• The design which minimises bias and
maximises the reliability of the data collected
and analysed is considered a good design.
• The design which gives the smallest
experimental error is supposed to be the best
design.
 Different Research Design
• Research Design in case of exploratory
research studies
• Research design in case of descriptive and
diagnostic research studies
• Research design in case of hypothesis testing
research studies.
 Research Design in case of exploratory
research studies

• The main purpose of such studies is that of

formulating a problem for more precise
investigation or of developing the working
hypothesis. The major emphasis in such studies is
on the discovery of ideas and insights.
• Generally the following three methods in the
context of research design for such studies are
discussed:
• A) Survey of concerned literature: The researcher
should review and build upon the work already
done by other.
Research Design in case of exploratory
research studies
• B) Experience survey: means the survey of people who
have had practical experience with the problem to be
studied. The objective is to obtain insight into the
relationships between variables and new ideas relating
to the research problem.
• C) Analysis of ‘insight – stimulating’ examples: suitable
in areas where there is little experience to serve as a
guide. This method consists of the intensive study of
selected instances of the phenomenon in which one is
interested. Ex: reaction of strangers, reaction of
individuals from different social strata, study of
individuals who are in transition from one stage to
another etc.
 Research design in case of descriptive
and diagnostic research studies
• Descriptive research studies are studies which are
concerned with describing the characteristics of a
particular individual, or of a group. Ex: narration
of facts and characteristics concerning individual,
group or situation
• Diagnostic research studies determine the
frequency with which something occurs or its
association with something else. Study
concerning whether certain variables are
associated.
Research design in case of descriptive
and diagnostic research studies
• In both the above studies, the researcher
must be able to define clearly what he wants
to measure and must find adequate methods
for measuring it along with a clear cut
definition of ‘population’ he wants to study.
The procedure to obtain complete and
accurate information should be planned. The
research design should be such that it should
maximise reliability, reduce bias with due
concern for economical aspects.
Research design in case of descriptive
and diagnostic research studies
• The research design must be rigid and not flexible
and should focus on
• A. What is the study about and why is it being
made (objective of the study)
• B. What techniques of data collection is adopted
• C. How much sample is needed?
• D. From where can the data be found and
collected?
• E. Processing and analyses of data
• F. Reporting the findings
Research Type of study
Design Exploratory/ Formulative Descriptive/ Diagnostic
Overall Flexible design (design Rigid design( design
design must provide opportunity must make enough
for considering different provision for protection
aspects of the problem against bias and must
maximise reliability)
i) Sampling Non-probability sampling Probability sampling
design design design
ii) Statistical No pre-planned design Pre-planned design for
design for analysis analysis
iii) Observati- Unstructured instruments Structured or well
onal design for collection of data thought out instruments
for collection of data.
iv) No fixed decisions about Advanced decisions
Operational the operational about operational
design procedures procedures
Research Design in case of hypothesis
– testing research studies
• Generally known as experimental studies,
researcher tests the hypotheses of causal
relationships between variables. Such studies
require procedures that will not only reduce
bias and increase reliability, but will permit
drawing inferences about causality.