Research Design

Definition / Meaning
A Research Design is the arrangement of conditions for corrections and analysis of data in a manner that aims to combine relevance to the research purpose with economy in procedure.

Factors affecting Research Design

Availability of scientific information Availability of sufficient data Availability of time Proper exposure to the source of data Availability of money Availability of manpower Effect of various internal and external variables on the research project Impact of controllable and uncontrollable variables on the Research Project Proper exposure to the sources of data

Advantages
Time Saving Direction Schedule Resources Planning Procurement Better documentation Satisfaction

Steps
The Problem Objective of the study Nature of Study Sources of Data Techniques of Data Collection Social Cultural Context Geographical Limit Basis of Selection Limitations and Scope of Study

Contents
Research Study
About what subject it is? Reason for this selection Scope for this study Objective of this study

Hypothesis
What is to be tested?

Data Collection
What kind? What different series? What methods of collection? What tools for collection

 Universe and Sample

What universe to be studied? What type of sampling to be used? What is the sample size?

Data Analysis
Choice of techniques for analysis Methods of analysis Results of analysis and conclusions

Report Writing
Stress on domain of validity Reference period Reference and Significance of Study Identifying areas for further research Bibliography

Data Collection and Measurement

 Data consists of facts, figures, any relevant material that serves for basic study and analysis. Without data, no question can be answered. It is a base for analysis. Information: Analysis of data

Data Sources
Primary Sources
Observation Interview Mailed Questionnaire

Secondary Sources
Internal Source Private Documents
Bibliography Camera Directories Encyclopedias Films

Indexes Journals Magazines News Papers Public Speeches Radio TV Tape recorder Use of Mechanical Devices Year Books

External Sources Unpublished Records Not available to People in Published form.

Secondary Data
Advantages
Most economic Available Quickly Widens Database Verification of findings Not meet the needs Unreliable data Inaccurate data Obsolete data Limited data

Disadvantages

 Characteristics for Evaluating Secondary Data

Data Relation Quality Reliability Originality Completeness Unbiasness

Type of Information needed Nature of Research study Unit of Enquiry Education Skilled and Trained Persons Sample Size

Factors influencing the choice for Data Collection

Methods for Primary Data Collection

Observation Questionnaire
Structured Questionnaire Non Structured Questionnaire

Experimentation Interview Projective Technique

Advantages
Sr. No. 1 Personal Interview with Questionnaire Most flexible method of obtaining data Identity of Respondent known Very Low/non response Supervision and Control Possible Mailed Questionnaire Wider and more representative coverage possible at the same cost No field Staff is required Cost per questionnaire relatively low No bias for interviewers Respondents can answer question directly. Telephone Interview Wider and more representative coverage possible at the same cost. No field Staff is required Cost of response low Quick way of obtaining data

2 3 4 5

Disadvantages
Sr. No. 1 Personal Interview with Questionnaire Most expensive method of data collection Mailed Questionnaire Average number of non response Telephone Interview Non telephone owners and those with unlisted numbers cannot be reached Interview period is short Questions which require probing cannot be asked.

2 3 4

Considerable supervision necessary Bias of the investigators present in the responses Assumes that the respondent is educated

Probing questions cannot be asked Slowest of all methods of data collection

Preferred Data Collection Method

Sr. No 1 Funds Inadequate Time Type of Data Personal Interview Mail Telephone Restricted Few Items

2
3 4 5 6 7 8

Inadequate
Inadequate Restricted Ample Ample Ample Ample

Restricted Much Information

Ample Ample Few Items Much Information

Restricted Few Items Restricted Much Information Ample Ample Few Items Much Information

X X X X X X X X

X X X X

Sampling & Sampling Technique

Sampling Population Universe Sampling Method Sample Continuous Variable Discrete Variable Census Survey Sample Survey

Advantage of Sampling over Census

Less Expensive Less Time Consuming Greater Accuracy Destructive Enumeration

Sampling Technique
Characteristics
Economy Intensive and elaborate study Reliability Scientific Nature Suitability Size of the Sample Homogeneity of the Sample Representativeness of the sample. Similar Sample

Reliability

 Importance of Sampling
Concentrated study of selected items Representatives units studied Large Area Scrutiny of available information Sufficiency of results Collecting of the information

 Advantages
Accuracy Administrative Suitability Advantage over Census Less Cost Saving in Time Chances for bias Difficulty of accuracy Difficulty of obtaining a representative sample Lack of trained manpower Non-availability of informants Possibility for error in sampling Inadequacy of samples

Disadvantages

 Sampling Errors Non Sampling Errors

Incorrect concept of a Population Samples drawn lagging complete randomness Irrelevant, wrong, exaggerated replies to questionnaires Wrong interviewing methods Inadequate response received

Sampling Frame Perfect Frame Incomplete Frame Inaccurate Frame Inadequate Frame

Methods of sampling
Probability Sampling
Simple Random Sampling Stratified Random Sampling Systematic Random Sampling Multi-Stage Sapling Cluster Sampling

No n-Probability Sampling
Convenience Sampling Purposive Sapling (or judgment) Quota Sampling

 Sampling Design
Type of Population Sampling Unit Type of Sample

Sample Size

Observation

Features of Observation
Eye Observation Aim Planning Recording Physical and mental Activity Purposive and Selective Exactness Cause and Effect relationships Direct Study

Types of Observation
Direct Observation Indirect Observation Participant Observation Non Participant Observation Structured Observation Unstructured Observation

Advantages
Direct means of data collection e.g., Human Behavior More accurate and reliable Less bias involved than questioning Can be done continuously to increase reliability and accuracy

Disadvantages
Not useful all the time especially to study the past problem. Opinions and attitudes cannot be studied by observations. Time involved is more Difference between observer and event to occur. Sampling theory gets ruled out.

The Interview Method

Objectives
To exchange ideas and experience To elicit (collect) information.

Types of Interview
Formality
Formal Informal

Number
Personal Group

Purpose
Diagnostic Treatment Research Fulfill Curiosity

 Period of Contact
Short Contact Prolonged Contact

Subject Matter
Qualitative Quantitative Mixed

Role
Non-directive/free/Unstructured Focused Repeated

Problems in Interview
Inadequate Response Non Response Interviewers bias

Advantages
More Appropriate Technique Easy to avoid misinterpretations High percentage of returns Yield Perfect sample Information secured is more accurate Greater number of returns

Disadvantages
Involves high cost Involves huge time High degree of skill

Process for Interview Method

Introduction Object of the Interview Interview Free Atmosphere Help Research Questions Encouragement Direction Note-Taking Concluding Report

The Questionnaire Method

 Purpose
To collect information from the respondents who are scattered in a vast area To achieve success in collecting reliable and dependable data

Types
Structured/Standardized Non-Structured Open Ended Close-Ended Mixed Questionnaire Pictorial Questionnaire

Guidelines for Questionnaire Items

Information to be obtained Type of Questionnaire to be used Writing a first draft Re-examining and revising question Pre-testing and editing the questionnaire Specify procedure for its use.

Advantages
Less Skill and training Economical Standardization Anonymity Less Pressure

Disadvantages
Limited Response Low Returns Lack of Checking on replies Limited Success Limited Flexibility Lac of Personal Contact Possibility of Wrong Answers Illegibility

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