RESEARCH DESIGN

Dr. Joydeep Chakraborty

Director, School of Science
RK University, Rajkot, Gujarat
Email : [email protected]
www.jchakraborty.weebly.com
 Research

• Search for knowledge

• A scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic

• Art of scientific investigation

• To discover answers to questions through the application of scientific

procedures
 Objectives

Research discovers solutions to problems by applying the procedures of science.

An important objective is to discover the hidden truth. Distinct studies of research
have distinct objectives but a few common objectives are as follows:

• The foremost objective is to achieve thorough knowledge and also

understanding with an observed circumstance
• To define the frequency of distinct things
• To test a statement which is assumed to be genuine and that statement is
about the casual relationship between variables
• To accurately describe the characteristics of a specific individual or a group or
a situation
 Types

• Descriptive vs. Analytical

• Applied vs. Fundamental

• Quantitative vs. Qualitative

• Conceptual vs. Empirical

• Few other types of research

 The Definition

Purpose Settings
Research Design is the is the statement

combination of plan, structure and

Techniques Timeline
Elements of
strategies for specifying the research
Design
methods and procedures for Methodology Measurement
collecting and analyzing the needed
information. Objections Analyze
 The Definition

• Decisions regarding what, why, when, how much, by what means concerning an
inquiry or a research study constitute a research design

• Research design have following parts

o Sampling design
o Observational design
o Statistical design
o Operational design
 Features

A research design should be appropriate for a particular research problem, and usually
involves the following features -
● The means of obtaining information
● The availability and skills of the researcher and his/her staff, if any
● The objective of the problem to be studied
● The nature of the problem to be studied
● The availability of time and money for the research work
 Classification

Association
techniques

Disguised Projective
techniques Completion
Qualitative techniques
Research
Exploratory
research Focus Construction
Secondary Non- groups techniques
Research Research disguised
design Depth Expressive
Causal interviews techniques
Research
Conclusive Longitudinal
design Single cross sectional
research design
Descriptive
research Cross-sectional
design Multiple cross sectional
design
 Identification of Gaps in Research

A research gap is defined as a topic or area for which missing or insufficient

information limits the ability to reach a conclusion for a question. A research need is
defined as a gap that limits the ability of decision-makers (policy-makers, patients,
practitioners) from making decisions.
Identify the Broad Area GAP
Methods of Identification

Feasibility of Research Gap

Key steps to bridge gap
Selection of Research Gap Current State Desired State
Action Plan
Expected Outcomes
 Research Problem

• A Research Problem is a perceived gap between what is and what should be

• Research problem arise from :

 Evolution of theories
 Peers and supervisiors
 Published research (Literature review)
 Day to Day experience

• Research problem is like an identification of destination before undertaking research

journey.
 Steps in Formulating Research Problem

7
6 Double
5 Check
Raise
4 Formulate
Questions
3 objective
Assess
2 Objective
Select
1 interested
Dissect to
sub areas
sub areas
Identify
broad
field
 Research Pyramid

Identify broad field: Life sciences

Dissect to sub areas: Microbiology
Select interested sub areas:
Environmental microbiology
Assess Objective:
Recalcitrant pollutants
Formulate objective: Biodegradation
Raise Questions ?
Double Check √
Research Onion
 Characteristics of Research Problem

1. Research ability
2. Theoretically / Practical Significance
3. Originality
4. Relevance
5. Feasibility
6. Narrow Down Problem
7. Interrogative Form
8. Ethical Consideration
 Characteristics of Research Problem

Formulating of a Research Problem should reflect the quality of SMART;

 S – Specific
 M – Measurable
 A – Attainable / Achievable
 R – Realistic
 T – Time Bounded
 Defining Research Objectives

 A Research objective is a clear,

concise, declarative statement
which provides direction to
investigate the variables under the
study.
 Generally research objective focus
on the ways to measure the
variable such as to identify or
describe them.
 Defining Research Objectives

Research Objectives need to be

clearly defined:
 Types of Research Objectives

 There are two types of Research objectives:

1) General Objective: states the main purpose of
the research, It should derive directly from the
research problem statement.
2) Specific Objectives: A set or list of sub-
objectives, each of which contributes to
achieving the general objectives.
 Sample Design

Define the population

Determine the sampling frame

The
Sampling Select sampling techniques
Design
Process Determine the sample size

Execute the sampling process

 Sampling Techniques

Cross-sectional Study Longitudinal Study

One point in the time Several point in the time

Different samples Same sample

Snapshot of a given point of time , Change at the individual level
change at a societal level.

Attitude survey of employee, Brand Financial performance measurement,

awareness. Effectiveness of training, advertising
 Sampling Techniques

Sampling Techniques
Data Collection Methods
 Questionnaire Design

 Questionnaire design is the process of designing the format and

questions in the survey instrument that will be used to collect data
about a particular phenomenon.

 A Questionnaire is a measuring device used to query a

population/sample in order to obtain information for analysis.
Questionnaire Design
 Hypothesis

• Hypothesis testing was introduced by Ronald Fisher, Jerzy Neyman, Karl Pearson and
Egon Pearson.
• Hypothesis testing is a statistical method that is used in making statistical decisions
using experimental data.
• It is basically an assumption that we make about the population parameter.
 Key Concepts & Terms

• Null hypothesis: Null hypothesis is a statistical hypothesis that assumes that the
observation is due to a chance factor. Null hypothesis is denoted by H0, which shows
that there is no difference between the two population means
• Alternative hypothesis: Contrary to the null hypothesis, the alternative hypothesis
shows that observations are the result of a real effect. It is denoted by H1 or HA
• Level of significance: Refers to the degree of significance in which we accept or reject
the null-hypothesis. 100% accuracy is not possible for accepting or rejecting a
hypothesis, so we therefore select a level of significance that is usually 5%
 Key Concepts & Terms

 Power: Usually known as the probability of correctly accepting the null

hypothesis. 1-beta is called power of the analysis
 One-tailed test: When the given statistical hypothesis is one value like H0: μ1 = μ2,
it is called the one-tailed test.
 Two-tailed test: When the given statistics hypothesis assumes a less than or
greater than value, it is called the two-tailed test.
 Type I & Type II Error

• Type I error: When we reject the null hypothesis, although that hypothesis was
true. Type I error is denoted by alpha. In hypothesis testing, the normal curve that
shows the critical region is called the alpha region.

• Type II errors: When we accept the null hypothesis but it is false. Type II errors are
denoted by beta. In Hypothesis testing, the normal curve that shows the acceptance
region is called the beta region.
Type I & Type II Error
 Steps Involved in Hypothesis

Formulate H0 and H1
Select Appropriate Test
Choose Level of Significance
Collect Data and Calculate Test Statistic

Determine Probability Determine Critical Value of Test

Associated with Test Statistic Statistic TSCR

Compare with Level of Determine if TSCAL falls into

Significance,  (Non) Rejection Region

Reject or Do not Reject H0

Draw Research Conclusion
 Assignment

1. Prepare your research onion and submit

2. Identify research gaps from your research area and discuss
3. Draw Your research pyramid
4. Design your research plan and submit within the time frame.