Research design and methods
Of southern zing your social sciences research of research zing your social sciences research paper: types of research purpose of this guide is to provide advice on how to develop and organize a research paper in the social of research flaws to ndent and dependent ry of research terms. Choosing a research ing a topic ning a topic ing the timeliness of a topic idea. An oral g with g someone else's to manage group of structured group project survival g a book le book review ing collected g a field informed g a policy g a research beginning your paper, you need to decide how you plan to design the research design refers to the overall strategy that you choose to integrate the different components of the study in a coherent and logical way, thereby, ensuring you will effectively address the research problem; it constitutes the blueprint for the collection, measurement, and analysis of data. Note that your research problem determines the type of design you should use, not the other way around! L structure and writing function of a research design is to ensure that the evidence obtained enables you to effectively address the research problem logically and as unambiguously as possible. In social sciences research, obtaining information relevant to the research problem generally entails specifying the type of evidence needed to test a theory, to evaluate a program, or to accurately describe and assess meaning related to an observable this in mind, a common mistake made by researchers is that they begin their investigations far too early, before they have thought critically about what information is required to address the research problem. Without attending to these design issues beforehand, the overall research problem will not be adequately addressed and any conclusions drawn will run the risk of being weak and unconvincing. As a consequence, the overall validity of the study will be length and complexity of describing research designs in your paper can vary considerably, but any well-developed design will achieve the following:Identify the research problem clearly and justify its selection, particularly in relation to any valid alternative designs that could have been used,Review and synthesize previously published literature associated with the research problem,Clearly and explicitly specify hypotheses [i. Research questions] central to the problem,Effectively describe the data which will be necessary for an adequate testing of the hypotheses and explain how such data will be obtained, be the methods of analysis to be applied to the data in determining whether or not the hypotheses are true or organization and structure of the section of your paper devoted to describing the research design will vary depending on the type of design you are using. However, you can get a sense of what to do by reviewing the literature of studies that have utilized the same research design. This can provide an outline to follow for your own : to search for scholarly resources on specific research designs and methods, use the sage research methods database. The database contains links to more than 175,000 pages of sage publisher's book, journal, and reference content on quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research methodologies. Also included is a collection of case studies of social research projects that can be used to help you better understand abstract or complex methodological vaus, d. New york: guilford, research tion and essentials of action research design follow a characteristic cycle whereby initially an exploratory stance is adopted, where an understanding of a problem is developed and plans are made for some form of interventionary strategy. Then the intervention is carried out (the "action" in action research) during which time, pertinent observations are collected in various forms. Is a collaborative and adaptive research design that lends itself to use in work or community focuses on pragmatic and solution-driven research outcomes rather than testing practitioners use action research, it has the potential to increase the amount they learn consciously from their experience; the action research cycle can be regarded as a learning research studies often have direct and obvious relevance to improving practice and advocating for are no hidden controls or preemption of direction by the these studies don't tell you? Is harder to do than conducting conventional research because the researcher takes on responsibilities of advocating for change as well as for researching the research is much harder to write up because it is less likely that you can use a standard format to report your findings effectively [i. Over-involvement of the researcher may bias research cyclic nature of action research to achieve its twin outcomes of action (e. Case study is an in-depth study of a particular research problem rather than a sweeping statistical survey or comprehesive comparative inquiry.
Research design and research methods
It is often used to narrow down a very broad field of research into one or a few easily researchable examples. The case study research design is also useful for testing whether a specific theory and model actually applies to phenomena in the real world. It is a useful design when not much is known about an issue or do these studies tell you? Researcher using a case study design can apply a variety of methodologies and rely on a variety of sources to investigate a research can extend experience or add strength to what is already known through previous scientists, in particular, make wide use of this research design to examine contemporary real-life situations and provide the basis for the application of concepts and theories and the extension of design can provide detailed descriptions of specific and rare these studies don't tell you? Single or small number of cases offers little basis for establishing reliability or to generalize the findings to a wider population of people, places, or e exposure to the study of a case may bias a researcher's interpretation of the does not facilitate assessment of cause and effect information may be missing, making the case hard to case may not be representative or typical of the larger problem being the criteria for selecting a case is because it represents a very unusual or unique phenomenon or problem for study, then your intepretation of the findings can only apply to that particular studies. This type of research is used to measure what impact a specific change will have on existing norms and assumptions. Research designs assist researchers in understanding why the world works the way it does through the process of proving a causal link between variables and by the process of eliminating other ation is is greater confidence the study has internal validity due to the systematic subject selection and equity of groups being these studies don't tell you? Using a quantitative framework, a cohort study makes note of statistical occurrence within a specialized subgroup, united by same or similar characteristics that are relevant to the research problem being investigated, rather than studying statistical occurrence within the general population. In open cohort studies, researchers can only calculate rate based data, such as, incidence rates and variants cohort studies [static populations, such as patients entered into a clinical trial] involve participants who enter into the study at one defining point in time and where it is presumed that no new participants can enter the cohort. Research that measures risk factors often relies upon cohort e cohort studies measure potential causes before the outcome has occurred, they can demonstrate that these “causes” preceded the outcome, thereby avoiding the debate as to which is the cause and which is the analysis is highly flexible and can provide insight into effects over time and related to a variety of different types of changes [e. Studying the effects of one group exposed to asbestos and one that has not], a researcher cannot control for all other factors that might differ between the two groups. These factors are known as confounding studies can end up taking a long time to complete if the researcher must wait for the conditions of interest to develop within the group. This also increases the chance that key variables change during the course of the study, potentially impacting the validity of the to the lack of randominization in the cohort design, its external validity is lower than that of study designs where the researcher randomly assigns p, devane d. Sectional tion and -sectional research designs have three distinctive features: no time dimension; a reliance on existing differences rather than change following intervention; and, groups are selected based on existing differences rather than random allocation. The cross-sectional design can only measure differences between or from among a variety of people, subjects, or phenomena rather than a process of change. As such, researchers using this design can only employ a relatively passive approach to making causal inferences based on do these studies tell you? Sectional studies provide a clear 'snapshot' of the outcome and the characteristics associated with it, at a specific point in an experimental design, where there is an active intervention by the researcher to produce and measure change or to create differences, cross-sectional designs focus on studying and drawing inferences from existing differences between people, subjects, or s collecting data at and concerning one point in time. While longitudinal studies involve taking multiple measures over an extended period of time, cross-sectional research is focused on finding relationships between variables at one moment in identified for study are purposely selected based upon existing differences in the sample rather than seeking random -section studies are capable of using data from a large number of subjects and, unlike observational studies, is not geographically estimate prevalence of an outcome of interest because the sample is usually taken from the whole e cross-sectional designs generally use survey techniques to gather data, they are relatively inexpensive and take up little time to these studies don't tell you? People, subjects, or phenomena to study that are very similar except in one specific variable can be s are static and time bound and, therefore, give no indication of a sequence of events or reveal historical or temporal s cannot be utilized to establish cause and effect design only provides a snapshot of analysis so there is always the possibility that a study could have differing results if another time-frame had been is no follow up to the hem, jelke.
Quantitative case study research design and methods
Tion and ptive research designs help provide answers to the questions of who, what, when, where, and how associated with a particular research problem; a descriptive study cannot conclusively ascertain answers to why. Descriptive research is used to obtain information concerning the current status of the phenomena and to describe "what exists" with respect to variables or conditions in a do these studies tell you? Research is often used as a pre-cursor to more quantitative research designs with the general overview giving some valuable pointers as to what variables are worth testing the limitations are understood, they can be a useful tool in developing a more focused ptive studies can yield rich data that lead to important recommendations in h collects a large amount of data for detailed these studies don't tell you? Results from a descriptive research cannot be used to discover a definitive answer or to disprove a e descriptive designs often utilize observational methods [as opposed to quantitative methods], the results cannot be descriptive function of research is heavily dependent on instrumentation for measurement and tion and purpose. Blueprint of the procedure that enables the researcher to maintain control over all factors that may affect the result of an experiment. Experimental research is often used where 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. In so doing, it allows researchers to answer the question, “what causes something to occur? The researcher to identify cause and effect relationships between variables and to distinguish placebo effects from treatment mental research designs support the ability to limit alternative explanations and to infer direct causal relationships in the ch provides the highest level of evidence for single these studies don't tell you? Design is artificial, and results may not generalize well to the real artificial settings of experiments may alter the behaviors or responses of mental designs can be costly if special equipment or facilities are research problems cannot be studied using an experiment because of ethical or technical ult to apply ethnographic and other qualitative methods to experimentally designed s, jeane w. Slideshare tion and exploratory design is conducted about a research problem when there are few or no earlier studies to refer to or rely upon to predict an outcome. The focus is on gaining insights and familiarity for later investigation or undertaken when research problems are in a preliminary stage of investigation. Exploratory designs are often used to establish an understanding of how best to proceed in studying an issue or what methodology would effectively apply to gathering information about the goals of exploratory research are intended to produce the following possible insights:Familiarity with basic details, settings, and grounded picture of the situation being tion of new ideas and pment of tentative theories or ination about whether a study is feasible in the get refined for more systematic investigation and formulation of new research ion for future research and techniques get do these studies tell you? Is a useful approach for gaining background information on a particular atory research is flexible and can address research questions of all types (what, why, how). An opportunity to define new terms and clarify existing atory research is often used to generate formal hypotheses and develop more precise research the policy arena or applied to practice, exploratory studies help establish research priorities and where resources should be these studies don't tell you? Research generally utilizes small sample sizes and, thus, findings are typically not generalizable to the population at exploratory nature of the research inhibits an ability to make definitive conclusions about the findings. They provide insight but not definitive research process underpinning exploratory studies is flexible but often unstructured, leading to only tentative results that have limited value to lacks rigorous standards applied to methods of data gathering and analysis because one of the areas for exploration could be to determine what method or methodologies could best fit the research l, michael. Tion and purpose of a historical research design is to collect, verify, and synthesize evidence from the past to establish facts that defend or refute a hypothesis. Historical research design is unobtrusive; the act of research does not affect the results of the historical approach is well suited for trend ical records can add important contextual background required to more fully understand and interpret a research is often no possibility of researcher-subject interaction that could affect the ical sources can be used over and over to study different research problems or to replicate a previous these studies don't tell you? Ability to fulfill the aims of your research are directly related to the amount and quality of documentation available to understand the research historical research relies on data from the past, there is no way to manipulate it to control for contemporary reting historical sources can be very time sources of historical materials must be archived consistently to ensure access.
This may especially challenging for digital or online-only al authors bring their own perspectives and biases to the interpretation of past events and these biases are more difficult to ascertain in historical to the lack of control over external variables, historical research is very weak with regard to the demands of internal is rare that the entirety of historical documentation needed to fully address a research problem is available for interpretation, therefore, gaps need to be , martha c. For example, with longitudinal surveys, the same group of people is interviewed at regular intervals, enabling researchers to track changes over time and to relate them to variables that might explain why the changes occur. Longitudinal research designs describe patterns of change and help establish the direction and magnitude of causal relationships. Data facilitate the analysis of the duration of a particular s survey researchers to get close to the kinds of causal explanations usually attainable only with design permits the measurement of differences or change in a variable from one period to another [i. Data collection method may change over ining the integrity of the original sample can be difficult over an extended period of can be difficult to show more than one variable at a design often needs qualitative research data to explain fluctuations in the results. Longitudinal research design assumes present trends will continue can take a long period of time to gather is a need to have a large sample size and accurate sampling to reach s, jeane w. Tion and -analysis is an analytical methodology designed to systematically evaluate and summarize the results from a number of individual studies, thereby, increasing the overall sample size and the ability of the researcher to study effects of interest. The purpose is to not simply summarize existing knowledge, but to develop a new understanding of a research problem using synoptic reasoning. A well-designed meta-analysis depends upon strict adherence to the criteria used for selecting studies and the availability of information in each study to properly analyze their findings. And explicit acknowledgment of any researcher bias in the identification and selection of those studies;. Be an effective strategy for determining gaps in the es a means of reviewing research published about a particular topic over an extended period of time and from a variety of useful in clarifying what policy or programmatic actions can be justified on the basis of analyzing research results from multiple es a method for overcoming small sample sizes in individual studies that previously may have had little relationship to each be used to generate new hypotheses or highlight research problems for future these studies don't tell you? Lack of uniformity regarding, for example, the type of literature reviewed, how methods are applied, and how findings are measured within the sample of studies you are analyzing, can make the process of synthesis difficult to ing on the sample size, the process of reviewing and synthesizing multiple studies can be very time , lewis w. Cleveland clinic journal of medicine 75 (june 2008): tion and methods research represents more of an approach to examining a research problem than a methodology. Mixed method is characterized by a focus on research problems that require, 1) an examination of real-life contextual understandings, multi-level perspectives, and cultural influences; 2) an intentional application of rigorous quantitative research assessing magnitude and frequency of constructs and rigorous qualitative research exploring the meaning and understanding of the constructs; and, 3) an objective of drawing on the strengths of quantitative and qualitative data gathering techniques to formulate a holistic interpretive framework for generating possible solutions or new understandings of the problem. Tashakkori and creswell (2007) and other proponents of mixed methods argue that the design encompasses more than simply combining qualitative and quantitative methods but, rather, reflects a new "third way" epistemological paradigm that occupies the conceptual space between positivism and do these studies tell you? Broader, more complex research problem can be investigated because the researcher is not constrained by using only one strengths of one method can be used to overcome the inherent weaknesses of another provide stronger, more robust evidence to support a conclusion or set of generate new knowledge new insights or uncover hidden insights, patterns, or relationships that a single methodological approach might not es more complete knowledge and understanding of the research problem that can be used to increase the generalizability of findings applied to theory or these studies don't tell you? Researcher must be proficient in understanding how to apply multiple methods to investigating a research problem as well as be proficient in optimizing how to design a study that coherently melds them increase the likelihood of conflicting results or ambiguous findings that inhibit drawing a valid conclusion or setting forth a recommended course of action [e. The research design can be very complex, reporting the findings requires a well-organized narrative, clear writing style, and precise word invites collaboration among experts. However, merging different investigative approaches and writing styles requires more attention to the overall research process than studies conducted using only one methodological rent merging of quantitative and qualitative research requires greater attention to having adequate sample sizes, using comparable samples, and applying a consistent unit of analysis.
For sequential designs where one phase of qualitative research builds on the quantitative phase or vice versa, decisions about what results from the first phase to use in the next phase, the choice of samples and estimating reasonable sample sizes for both phases, and the interpretation of results from both phases can be to multiple forms of data being collected and analyzed, this design requires extensive time and resources to carry out the multiple steps involved in data gathering and , patricia and carolyn j. Bethesda, md: office of behavioral and social sciences research, national institutes of health, 2010creswell, john w. International journal of multiple research approaches 8 (2014): tion and type of research design draws a conclusion by comparing subjects against a control group, in cases where the researcher has no control over the experiment. An observational study allows a useful insight into a phenomenon and avoids the ethical and practical difficulties of setting up a large and cumbersome research do these studies tell you? Researcher is able to collect in-depth information about a particular reveal interrelationships among multifaceted dimensions of group can generalize your results to real life ational research is useful for discovering what variables may be important before applying other methods like ation research designs account for the complexity of group these studies don't tell you? Of data is low because seeing behaviors occur over and over again may be a time consuming task and are difficult to observational research, findings may only reflect a unique sample population and, thus, cannot be generalized to other can be problems with bias as the researcher may only "see what they want to see. Is no possibility to determine "cause and effect" relationships since nothing is s or subjects may not all be equally group that is knowingly studied is altered to some degree by the presence of the researcher, therefore, potentially skewing any data on, paul and martyn hammersley. Tion and tood more as an broad approach to examining a research problem than a methodological design, philosophical analysis and argumentation is intended to challenge deeply embedded, often intractable, assumptions underpinning an area of study. This approach uses the tools of argumentation derived from philosophical traditions, concepts, models, and theories to critically explore and challenge, for example, the relevance of logic and evidence in academic debates, to analyze arguments about fundamental issues, or to discuss the root of existing discourse about a research problem. Metaphysics research lab, csli, stanford university, tion and tial research is that which is carried out in a deliberate, staged approach [i. After each sample is analyzed, the researcher can accept the null hypothesis, accept the alternative hypothesis, or select another pool of subjects and conduct the study once again. This means the researcher can obtain a limitless number of subjects before making a final decision whether to accept the null or alternative hypothesis. Using a quantitative framework, a sequential study generally utilizes sampling techniques to gather data and applying statistical methods to analze the data. Using a qualitative framework, sequential studies generally utilize samples of individuals or groups of individuals [cohorts] and use qualitative methods, such as interviews or observations, to gather information from each do these studies tell you? Researcher has a limitless option when it comes to sample size and the sampling to the repetitive nature of this research design, minor changes and adjustments can be done during the initial parts of the study to correct and hone the research is a useful design for exploratory is very little effort on the part of the researcher when performing this technique. This provides opportunities for continuous improvement of sampling and methods of these studies don't tell you? The only possibility of approaching representativeness is when the researcher chooses to use a very large sample size significant enough to represent a significant portion of the entire population. In this case, moving on to study a second or more specific sample can be design cannot be used to create conclusions and interpretations that pertain to an entire population because the sampling technique is not randomized. Generalizability from findings is, therefore, ult to account for and interpret variation from one sample to another over time, particularly when using qualitative methods of data ky, rebecca.
Research design is the set of methods and procedures used in collecting and analyzing measures of the variables specified in the research problem research. The design of a study defines the study type (descriptive, correlational, semi-experimental, experimental, review, meta-analytic) and sub-type (e. Descriptive-longitudinal case study), research problem, hypotheses, independent and dependent variables, experimental design, and, if applicable, data collection methods and a statistical analysis plan. Research design is the framework that has been created to find answers to research questions. Are many ways to classify research designs, but sometimes the distinction is artificial and other times different designs are combined. In some cases, these types coincide with quantitative and qualitative research designs respectively,[2] though this need not be the case. In fixed designs, the design of the study is fixed before the main stage of data collection takes place. Fixed designs are normally theory-driven; otherwise, it is impossible to know in advance which variables need to be controlled and measured. One reason for using a flexible research design can be that the variable of interest is not quantitatively measurable, such as culture. In other cases, theory might not be available before one starts the choice of how to group participants depends on the research hypothesis and on how the participants are sampled. Treatment") and one "control" condition ("no treatment"), but the appropriate method of grouping may depend on factors such as the duration of measurement phase and participant characteristics:Cross-sectional -sequential matory versus exploratory research[edit]. Research tests a priori hypotheses — outcome predictions that are made before the measurement phase begins. The advantage of confirmatory research is that the result is more meaningful, in the sense that it is much harder to claim that a certain result is generalizable beyond the data set. The reason for this is that in confirmatory research, one ideally strives to reduce the probability of falsely reporting a coincidental result as meaningful. This probability is known as α-level or the probability of a type i atory research on the other hand seeks to generate a posteriori hypotheses by examining a data-set and looking for potential relations between variables. If the researcher does not have any specific hypotheses beforehand, the study is exploratory with respect to the variables in question (although it might be confirmatory for others). The advantage of exploratory research is that it is easier to make new discoveries due to the less stringent methodological restrictions. Here, the researcher does not want to miss a potentially interesting relation and therefore aims to minimize the probability of rejecting a real effect or relation; this probability is sometimes referred to as β and the associated error is of type ii. In other words, if the researcher simply wants to see whether some measured variables could be related, he would want to increase the chances of finding a significant result by lowering the threshold of what is deemed to be mes, a researcher may conduct exploratory research but report it as if it had been confirmatory ('hypothesizing after the results are known', harking—see hypotheses suggested by the data); this is a questionable research practice bordering on problems versus process problems[edit].
Research designs such as repeated measurements and longitudinal study are needed to address process es of fixed designs[edit]. An experimental design, the researcher actively tries to change the situation, circumstances, or experience of participants (manipulation), which may lead to a change in behavior or outcomes for the participants of the study. The researcher randomly assigns participants to different conditions, measures the variables of interest and tries to control for confounding variables. Therefore, experiments are often highly fixed even before the data collection a good experimental design, a few things are of great importance. First of all, it is necessary to think of the best way to operationalize the variables that will be measured, as well as which statistical methods would be most appropriate to answer the research question. Thus, the researcher should consider what the expectations of the study are as well as how to analyse any potential results. Finally, in an experimental design the researcher must think of the practical limitations including the availability of participants as well as how representative the participants are to the target population. 3] additionally, many researchers employ power analysis before they conduct an experiment, in order to determine how large the sample must be to find an effect of a given size with a given design at the desired probability of making a type i or type ii -experimental research designs[edit]. Experimental research designs do not involve a manipulation of the situation, circumstances or experience of the participants. These designs are also called correlation studies, because correlation data are most often used in analysis. Correlational designs are helpful in identifying the relation of one variable to another, and seeing the frequency of co-occurrence in two natural groups (see correlation and dependence). These designs compare two or more groups on one or more variable, such as the effect of gender on grades. A longitudinal design examines variables such as performance exhibited by a group or groups over time. Case studies are for example the descriptions about the patients of freud, who were thoroughly analysed and (1999) states “a case study approach is particularly appropriate for individual researchers because it gives an opportunity for one aspect of a problem to be studied in some depth within a limited time scale”. Theory research is a systematic research process that works to develop "a process, and action or an interaction about a substantive topic". Upper saddle river, nj: prentice e / traffic sign aphy / type ectural lighting nmental impact y community or ape tive suspension ated box ic guitar re interface ing and raphic lens re interface interaction experience interface c / glass /set lighting ical system ated circuit r weapon ve vity ering design ility of -down and ectual l home design quality onic design t design rial design red society of and industries ational forum research an design design award (chicago). Product design philip designers rise product ts and ries: researchhidden categories: wikipedia articles needing style editing from january 2013all articles needing style logged intalkcontributionscreate accountlog pagecontentsfeatured contentcurrent eventsrandom articledonate to wikipediawikipedia out wikipediacommunity portalrecent changescontact links hererelated changesupload filespecial pagespermanent linkpage informationwikidata itemcite this a bookdownload as pdfprintable version. Take it with you wherever you research council of ibe to our rss blakstad on ptive research design - observing a tative research design - proving cause and study research design - how to conduct a case ative research design - exploring a subject in experimental design - experiments with control group blakstad 1. Different types of research designs have different advantages and article is a part of the guide:Select from one of the other courses available:Experimental ty and ical tion and psychology e projects for ophy of sance & tics beginners tical bution in er 30 more articles on this 't miss these related articles:1quantitative and qualitative research.
Most scientists are interested in getting reliable observations that can help the understanding of a are two main approaches to a research problem:Quantitative are the difference between qualitative and quantitative research?. Different research are various designs which are used in research, all with specific advantages and disadvantages. Which one the scientist uses, depends on the aims of the study and the nature of the phenomenon:Aim: observe and listic , also see our survey ational sectional ational studies in -experimental : determine -experimental : determine experimental -blind ing other study before conducting a full-scale : does the design work?