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After deciding the basic aspects of research project (i.e. formulating research problem, objectives of research, data requirement, etc) and before the commencement of work of research project, the researcher has to prepare research design. It is a major step in the research process /procedure. The research work will be conducted (i.e. data collection, etc) as per the research design prepared. Research design means to prepare detailed plan and procedures for the conduct of the research project.

In short, research design is a systematic planning, organizing and executing a research project within specified time limit and resource allocation. Research design tells the type of data to be collected, the sources of data and the procedures to be followed in data collection. Research design provides suitable framework that guides the collection and analysis of data.

A research design is the

arrangement of conditions for collection and analysis of data in a manner that aims to combine relevance to the research purpose with economy in procedure. - Claire Selltiz(1962)

Minimize time and money.

Advance planning.

Avoid flows.
Selection of appropriate tools.

Eliminate bias and marginal error.

It should be flexible, appropriate,efficient,economical and so on. It should give a smallest experimental error and high reliability and validity. Good research design includes following five important elements. Subjects Variables Time Setting Investigators role

Principle of Replication

Principle of randomization
Principle of Local Control

According to this principle, the experiment should be repeated more than once. Thus, each treatment is applied in many experimental units instead of one. By doing this method, the accuracy and precision of the study are increased significantly.

This principle provides protection. This principle indicates that the researcher should design or plan the experiment in such a way that the variations caused by extraneous factors can all be combined under the general heading of Chance.

The extraneous factors, the know source of variability, is made to vary deliberately over as wide a range as necessary and this needs to be done in such a way that the variability it causes can ne measured and hence eliminated from the experimental error.

Variable: It is the concept which can be take on different quantitative values. As such the concepts like weight, height, income are all examples of variables.

Dependent and Independent Variables: If one variable is depends upon other variable it is termed as dependent variable and the variable that is predecessor to the dependent variable is termed as independent variable. e.g. Height depends upon Age, Weight, Sex, etc., then Height is dependent variable and others are independent on which it depends.

Concomitant Variable : It is also known as secondary or subordinate or incidental variable. These variables can be observed, but cant be measured. Extraneous variable : Independent variable which is not related to the purpose of study, but it may affect the dependent variable.

Control and Experimental Groups : In an experimental hypothesis testing research when group is exposed to usual conditions ,it is termed as Control group, but when it is exposed to some novel or special conditions it is termed as an Experimental group. e.g. Group of 25 students left on having self study is a control group and group of 25 students having special studies program is a experimental group.

Treatment :

The different conditions under which experimental and control groups are put are usually referred as Treatments. e.g. In above example there are two treatments 1.Usual studies program. 2.Special studies program.

Descriptive research provides answers to the questions of who, what, when, where, and how.
Describes characteristics of a population or phenomenon.

Measuring how salespeople or customers behaved, as well as what happened to sales volume
Learn about characteristics of people shopping at a particular store Satisfaction Study taken at multiple times throughout the year.

No controlling of variables. Some understanding of the problem.

Current status of subject during certain time period.

Develop or redefine educational methods. Test hypothesis or answer questions.

 Designed to generate basic

knowledge, clarify relevant issues uncover variables associated with a problem, uncover information needs, and/or define alternatives for addressing research objectives.
A very flexible, open-ended

process.

Exploratory research is a type of research conducted for a problem that has not been clearly defined. Exploratory research helps determine the best research design, data collection method and selection of subjects. It should draw definitive conclusions only with extreme caution.

There is a control or comparison group. Subjects are randomly assigned to groups.

The treatment is randomly assigned to groups.

Statistical equivalence of subject in different groups (usually by random assignment) Comparison of 2 or more groups Manipulation of at least 1 IV Measurement of DVs

Inferential statistics
Maximum control of extraneous variables.

Experimental research design is used

when,

There is time priority in a causal relationship (cause precedes effect), There is consistency in a causal relationship (a cause will always lead to the same effect), and The magnitude of the correlation is great.