The Research Design

Research Design refers to the complete sequential steps the researchers undertake in order to achieve
the goal of the study, i.e., obtaining research data that are fit for objective, descriptive and inferential
analysis. It is an intelligent plan of the researchers in pursuing the goals of the study.

Significant and Limitations of a Research Design

The research design guides the researchers in the direction they are going in the actual experimentation.
It provides them with maximum information relevant and related to the constructs of the study. It is also
allows them to make valid inferences using the appropriate statistical tools because they have been
wisely chosen.

Basic Principle of Research Design

Replication. Refers to the repetition of the basic experiment done to provide an estimate variation
among observations on units treated alike, assessing the significance of observed differences. It makes
the test possible.

One purpose of replication is to increase the volume of data through the execution of the entire
experiment more than once.

The number of replicates needed is based on the degree of precision required, degree of homogeneity
of the sample and the number of the treatment in the study.

Randomization. It is the assignment of the experimental units the treatment or vice versa by pure
chance.

Its purpose is to show that a factor among various others can best be considered as the cause of an
observed phenomenon and not the other factors. It is also assures the valid or unbiased estimate of
population parameters such as means and differences, and the valid statistical test of significance. By
randomization, the effects of the extraneous factors that cannot be controlled perfectly are eliminated.

Local Control . This refers to the balancing, grouping and blocking of experimental units that are
employed to the adopted design. In blocking of experimental units are assigned to group whose test
organisms show similar characteristics, i.e., age, gender, height, weight, etc., or test conditions, i.e., pH
gradient, salinity, amount of substance, etc.

Its purpose is to achieve homogeneity in the characteristic among test organisms that is under study.
From the very start of the experiment, the researcher is assured of the validity of the test results simply
because the very sources of test data more or less possess the same characteristics.

Components of Research Design

In whatever type of study, the research design is an ultimate importance. The design, though, depends
solely on the nature of the study and the need for answering the problem. Although there is no common
draw sheet for a research design, and regardless of whatever type of research is being conducted, the
following are the most important components of the research design:

1. The Introduction
a. Background of the Study
b. Statement of the Problem and the Hypothesis
c. Significance of the study
d. Scope and delimitation of the Study
2. The Review of Relate Literature
3. The Methodology
4. The References