1. What is a Research Design?
A research design is a plan or strategy that guides how a researcher intends to conduct a study. It provides a roadmap for the entire research process, including the selection of participants, the collection and analysis of data, and the interpretation of results.
A well-designed research study is essential for ensuring the results are valid, reliable, and generalizable to a broader population.
The choice of research design will depend on the research question, the nature of the phenomenon being investigated, and the available resources.
Common types of research designs include experimental, pre-experimental, quasi-experimental, correlational, ex-post facto, and descriptive designs.
Research designs in quantitative research can be categorized based on the methods used for data collection and analysis. Some standard research designs in quantitative research include:
Experimental Research Design: This design involves the manipulation of an independent variable to observe its effects on a dependent variable while controlling for extraneous variables. It often includes the use of control groups and the random assignment of participants to different conditions.
Quasi-Experimental Research Design: Similar to experimental design but lacking random assignment of participants to groups, making it suitable for situations where random assignment is not feasible. This design is often used when an experiment is not ethically or practically feasible.
Descriptive Research Design: This design aims to describe the characteristics of a population or phenomenon. It is often used to answer questions about who what, when, where, and how and can involve surveys, interviews, or observations.
Correlational Research Design: This design examines the relationships between two or more variables without manipulating them. It is used to identify and understand the relationships and associations between variables.
Ex Post Facto Research Design: In this design, the researcher looks at relationships between variables that cannot be manipulated due to ethical or practical reasons, such as age, gender, or pre-existing medical conditions.
Longitudinal Research Design: This design involves collecting data from the same subjects at multiple points in time to track changes, developments, or trends over time.