Research design Definition : the research design is a master plan specifying the methods and procedures for collecting

and analysing the needed information. Functions Conceptualise an operational plan to undertake various procedures and task required to complete your study. Ensure that these procedures are adequate to obtain valid objective and accurate answers to research questions. Study design Quantitative study design:-specific,well structured,have been tested for their validity and reliability, and can be explicitly defined and recognisied. Qualitative study design:-they are just reverse of quantitative.

Study design in quantitative study design

Based on number of contact, reference period, nature of investigation

Based in number of contact:

Cross sectional : This is also known as one shot or status studies.this design is best suited to studies aimed at finding out the prevalence of the phenomenon, situation, problem, attitude or issue,by taking a cross section of population. For example:-health needs of a community, extent of unemployment in the city. Before and after: This is also known as pre-test/post-test design. it measures the change in the situation, phenomenon, issue, problem or attitude. It can be described as two sets of cross sectional data collection points on the same population to find out the change in the phenomenon or variables between two points in time. Example Consider our example of training. Suppose a group had been given a test of Knowledge in the morning and scored 50%, and Following a day of training, the group repeated The same test and scored 80%. [we illustrate this In the above figure by each o representing a Measurement (in this case, the test), and the x Representing the introduction of the intervention (training).] In this situation, the evidence would be strong that the training caused the increase in test score. Another way of saying this is that the evidence of causality would be strong. Besides the training, little else over the course of the day could have caused the observed increase in knowledge (provided of course that we do not use an identical test on the two occasions and give the group the answers in the meantime). Longitudnal studies To determine the pattern of change in relation to time,longitudinal design is used. in this design ,the study population is visited a number of times at regular intervals usually over a long period to collect the required information. For example:-when you wish to study the proportion of people adopting a programme over a period.

Based on Reference Period

Retrospective It investigates a phenomenon, situation, problem or issue that has happened in the past. For example:-the relationship between levels of unemployment and street crime. Prospective It refers to the likely prevalence of a phenomenon ,situation,problem,attitude or outcome in the future.

For ex:-to find out the effect of parental involvement on the level of academic achievement of their children. Retrospective-prospective Focus on the past trends in a phenomenon and study it into future. For ex:-the effect of advertisment on the sales product.

Based on Nature of Investigation

Experimental If the relationship is studied in the way, starting from the cause to establish the effects .An experimental study can be carried out in either a controlled or a natural enviornment. In controlled , the researcher introduces the intervention or stimulus to study its effects.In controlled situation we consider a room.for an experiment in a natural enviornment , it is exposed to an intervention in its own enviornment. Quasi experimental A quasi experimental or semi-experimental study has the properties of both experimental and non experimental studies . An experimental design that does not meet All requirements necessary for controlling Influences of extraneous variables. often, random assignment of participants Not possible example, control group time series design Non-experimental Staring from the effects to trace the cause. describes existing phenomena without manipulating conditions to affect subjects responses no manipulation of an independent variable no cause/effect investigates current status of something (the way things are or were) Crossover comparative experimental design These designs are used where a number of experimental subjects are exposed to treatments under study applied sequentially over a number of time periods . For ex:- learning experimements . Replicated cross sectional design In practice one usually examines programmes already in existence and ones in which clients are at different stage of an intervention. Evaluating the effectiveness of such programmes within a conventional experimental design is impossible. So that is why replicated design is used In brief The design is based on assumptions that the participants at different stages of a programme are similar in terms of their socioeconomic-demographic characterstics and the problem for which they are seeking intervention. Assesment of the effectiveness of an intervention is done by taking a sample of clients at different stages of intervention. Action research As the name suggests ,action research comprises of two components action and research.

Research is a means to action,either to improve your practice or to take action to deal with a problem or a issue. It is carried out to identify the areas of concern,develop and test alternatives and experiment with the new approaches. Explanation of action research An existing programme or intervention is studied in order to identify possible areas of improvement in terms of enhanced efficiency. Analysis of data to draw conclusions. Appropriate suggestions to be provided for concurrent changes. Actions to be carried out for accessing these changes. Examples of action research Action research is used in real situation rather than in experimental studies,since its primary focus is on solving real problem. Used by social scientistsfor pilot research,especially when the situation is too ambiguous to frame a precise research question.

Unit - 1
Origin of the Term Research The word research is derived from the Middle French word "recherch", which means "to go about seeking", the term itself being derived from the Old French term "recerchier" a compound word from "re-" + "cerchier", or "sercher", meaning 'search'. Definition of Research According to Clifford Woody..... Research comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions; collecting, organising and evaluating data; making deductions and reaching conclusions; and at last carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis. Business research is defined as the systematic and objective process of generating information for aid in making business decisions. For example, marketers are facing decline in the sales of the product They do business research on "Impact of packaging and shelf positioning on impulse buying behaviour of consumers". This research will show that why consumers go for impulse buying and how marketers can get benefit by offering attractive packaging and locating products on front shelves. Application of Business Research The General Application of Business Research are as follows: 1. Business and Sales Research. To identify target markets, To Determine behavioural patterns and attitudes of buyers, Measures market demands, analyze and interpret sales data and market share, To study problems in conjunction with selling activities and distribution channels.

2. Marketing and Product Research. This includes all researches that have something to do with product planning and development, branding, and packing. Some practical applications are: consumer brand purchase history and quality opinions of competing brands of toothpaste, acceptability of package utility etc... 3. Media and advertising research. This classification includes all research studies dealing with the proper selection of advertising themes, copy-writing, media selection and analysis, account management, preparation of advertisements, and budgeting. 4. Corporate responsibility research. This category covers studies on subjects who are outside the commercial dimension of selling of goods and services. It deals with business firms' social responsibilities to other special public's, which are outside of the business functions and responsibilities. 5. Non-business research. This category covers the different types of problems encountered by government social, civic, and other organizations where business research techniques can be best applied Why Business Research? Should McDonalds add Italian pasta dinners to its menu? Business research told McDonalds it should not? Should Procter & Gamble add a high-priced home teeth bleaching kit to its product line? Research showed Crest White strips would sell well at a retail price of $44 Types of Business Research 1. Exploratory Research Exploratory research can be defined as an investigation into a problem or situation which provides insight to the researcher. Exploratory research, as its name suggests, aims to explore. Here researcher himself is not sufficiently knowledgeable. It is a flexible approach. For example: For example: A personal interview with experts to find out why CAs are going for MBA now a days? 2. Descriptive Research Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different kinds. It is used to study certain characteristics of population such as age, sex, educational level, income etc. The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs as it exists at present. For example, an anthropologist who wanted to study a tribe without affecting their normal behavior in any way. It is usually rigid in nature 3. Causal Research Causal Research explores the effect of one (independent) variable on another(dependent) variable.

It is used to measure what impact a specific change will have on existing norms and allows market researchers to predict hypothetical scenarios upon which a company can base its business plan. For example, if a clothing company currently sells blue denim jeans, causal research can measure the impact of the company changing the product design to the colour white. Following the research, company bosses will be able to decide whether changing the colour of the jeans to white would be profitable or not. Difference between Exploratory, Descriptive and Causal Research

4. Quantitative Research Quantitative research refers to the Systematic investigation of social phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques. The generation of models, theories and hypotheses The development of instruments and methods for measurement Experimental control and manipulation of variables Collection of empirical data Modeling and analysis of data 5. Qualitative Research To gain an understanding of underlying reasons and motivations To provide insights into the setting of a problem, generating ideas and/or hypotheses for later quantitative research To uncover prevalent trends in thought and opinion Difference between Qualitative &Quantitative Research Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount where Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e., phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind.

Quantitative research usually involves collecting and converting data into numerical form so that statistical calculations can be made and conclusions drawn, on other hand, it associated with the social constructivist paradigm which emphasises the socially constructed nature of reality. 6. Applied Research Aims at solving specific problems Aims at establishing policy programs that will help to improve social life Types of applied research are action research, social impact studies, cost-benefit analysis, evaluation research 7. Action Research It is application of fact findings to practical problem solving in a social situation with a view to improve quality of action within it, involving collaboration and cooperation of researchers, practitioners and laymen. It can be situational (diagnose a problem and attempts to solve it), collaborative, participatory (researcher take part in implementation of findings) and self-evaluation (it involves constant evaluation and adjustment of research and practice)

Difference between Action &Applied Research

Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an industrial/business organisation, whereas Applied research is mainly concerned with generalisations and with the formulation of a theory. Research concerning some natural phenomenon or relating to pure mathematics are examples of fundamental research & research aimed at certain conclusions (say, a solution) facing a concrete social or business problem is an example of applied research.