CHOOSING AN APPROPRIATE RESEARCH DESIGN

HOW TO CHOOSE FROM THE DIFFERENT RESEARCH METHODS

Selecting the correct type from the different research methods can be a little scary, at first. There are so many factors to take into account and evaluate.

The research question, ethics, budget and time are all major considerations in any design. This is before looking at the statistics required, and studying the preferred methods for the individual scientific discipline.

PLANNING THE RESEARCH DESIGN

After the researcher has formulated the research problem, the research design must be developed, which is a kind of Master Plan, specify the methods, and procedure for collecting and analyzing the needed information that is the plan of action for the research project. Investigator must specify the sources of data and techniques (because you cannot put the same shoe on every foot), such as:

Surveys or Experiments

Appropriate research design

Four basic methods of for descriptive and causal research: Surveys Experiments Secondary data analysis, and Observation techniques Once the appropriate design has been determined, the researcher moves on to the next steps: Sampling

Sampling
The process of using a small number of items or parts of a larger population to make conclusions about the whole population
Sample: A subset, or some part of a larger population

Population: A complete group of entities sharing some common set of characteristics

Sampling
Following steps must follow to conduct fieldwork: Define the target population: Who is to be sampled? The sampling frame: How big should the sample be? List of elements from which the sample may be drawn? How the sample units are to be selected? Plan and procedure for selecting sampling units. Determine sample size Select actual sampling units Conduct field work

Determine sampling procedure

Sampling procedure must outlined in the research design. A brief sample designs is as follows: Deliberate sampling Simple random sampling Systematic sampling Stratified sampling Quota sampling Cluster sampling and area sampling Multi-stage sampling Sequential sampling

Different types of research designs have different advantages and disadvantages

The design is the structure of any scientific work. It gives direction and systematizes the research. The method you choose will affect your results and how you conclude the findings. Most scientists are interested in getting reliable observations that can help the understanding of a phenomenon. There are two main approaches to a research problem: 1. Quantitative Research 2. Qualitative Research

Types of Statistical Analysis

1. Descriptive Statistics Used to describe data such as mean, median and standard deviation are the main descriptive statistics 2. Inferential Statistics Sample statistics to the population parameters 3. Test Statistics Mathematical methods for describing and analyzing the psychometric properties of tests and other instruments

Preparing the research design

The function of research design is to provide for the collection of relevant evidence with minimal expenditure of effort, time and money. But how all these can be achieved depends mainly on the research purpose. Research purposes may be grouped into four categories: (i) Exploration, (ii) Description, (iii) Diagnosis, and (iv) Experimentation.

The preparation of the research design, appropriate for a particular research problem, involves usually the consideration of the following:

(i) the means of obtaining the information; (ii) the availability and skills of the researcher and his staff (if any); (iii) explanation of the way in which selected means of obtaining information will be organized and the reasoning leading to the selection; (iv) the time available for research; and (v) the cost factor relating to research, i.e., the finance available for the purpose.