Chap.6 Res. Design

Chapter 6STUDY DESIGN *RESEARCH SKILLS DR. FAWZI ISHTAIWA

RESEARCH SKILLS DR. FAWZI ISHTAIWA

Definition Study design refers to the methodology that is used to investigate a particular phenomenon or a situation. Is a plan that outlines how a research project will be conducted in order to get the most legitimate results from the study.

All study designs provide meaningful information when used appropriately and their strengths and limitations are understood.

*RESEARCH SKILLS DR. FAWZI ISHTAIWA


Types of Study DesignThere are different approaches to research, and different study designs are used to answer different questions. Study designs in quantitative researchStudy designs in qualitative research*RESEARCH SKILLS DR. FAWZI ISHTAIWA


Study designs in quantitative researchDesigns based on the number of contactsDesigns based on the reference period Designs based on the nature of the investigation *RESEARCH SKILLS DR. FAWZI ISHTAIWA


1. Designs Based on the Number of ContactsCross-sectional study design Before-and after study design Longitudinal study design *RESEARCH SKILLS DR. FAWZI ISHTAIWA


i. Cross-sectional Design

Involves observations of a sample, or cross- section of a population or phenomenon that are made at one point in time.

In this design you decide what you want to find out, identify the study population, select a sample, and contact your respondents to find out the required information.



Examples :

a. The attitudes of students towards the facilities available in the library

b. The quality assurance of a service provided by an organization

c. The relationship between the home environment and the academic performance of student



ii. Before-and-after DesignAppropriate for measuring the impact or effectiveness of a program or services. Examples: The effect of advertisement on the sale of a product The impact of increased funding on the quality of teaching in universities The effectiveness of a marriage counseling on marital life.



Advantages & Disadvantages of Before and after Design

The main advantage is the ability to measure change in a phenomenon or to assess the impact of an intervention. Some of the disadvantages are: Expensive & time consuming Attrition or changes in the study population Unable to ascertain whether independent or extraneous variables are responsible for bringing the change in the dependent variable. Unable to quantify the contribution of independent and extraneous variables separately



Maturation effect (e.g. young children)

Regression effect . This is in a situation where the participants change their attitude at the time of the post-test period.



iii. Longitudinal Study Design

Is a design that helps us to determine the pattern of change in relation to time. Is useful when: You wish to study a group of population adopting a program in relation to timeYou need to collect factual information on a continuing basisIn longitudinal studies: The study population is visited a number of times at regular intervalThe information gathered each time is identicalCollected data may not be from the same respondents



Advantages & Disadvantages of Longitudinal Study DesignThe main advantage: It allows the researcher to measure the pattern of change and obtain factual information, requiring collection on a regular or continuing basis. The design has the same disadvantages as before-and after design, in addition to: Conditioning effect: this is a situation where, if the same respondents are contacted frequently, they begin to know what is expected of them and may respond to questions without thought, or they may lose interest in the study.



2. Study Designs Based on the Reference Period 1. Retrospective Studies Investigate a phenomenon, situation, problem or issue that has happened in the past. They are usually conducted either on the basis of the data available for that period or on the basis of respondents recall of the situation. Examples: The utilization of land before World War II in the UAEA historical analysis of migration in the US



2. Prospective Studies Refers to the likely frequency of a phenomenon, situation, problem, attitude or outcome in the future. Such studies attempt to establish the outcome of an event or what is likely to happen. Examples: To establish the effects of a counseling service on marital problems To find out the effect of parental involvement on the level of academic achievement of their children



3. Retrospective-Prospective Studies Focus on past trends in a phenomenon and relate it with the future. Research study can be classified under this category if it measures the impact of an intervention without a control group. Therefore before-and-after studies without control group will be classified as retrospective-prospective studies. Examples: The impact of incentives on the performance of workersThe impact of maternal health services on the infant mortality rate



3. Study design based on the Nature of InvestigationExperimental StudyNon- experimental studyQuasi- or semi- experimental study*RESEARCH SKILLS DR. FAWZI ISHTAIWA


3. Study design based on the Nature of InvestigationExperimental Study: is a study where a researcher use an experiment to investigates a relationship by starting from the cause to determine the effects. Let us look at an objective of this study: To find-out the relationship between watching violent movies and violent behavior among children

Violent Movies Violent Behavior

Cause (Starting point) Effect (Ending point) *RESEARCH SKILLS DR. FAWZI ISHTAIWA


Some issues to understand about Experimental Design:

1. Controlled or Natural EnvironmentAn experimental study can be carried out in either a controlled or a natural environment. In a controlled environment the study population is in a controlled situation such as a laboratory or special room. In the natural environment the study population is exposed to an intervention in its own environment. *RESEARCH SKILLS DR. FAWZI ISHTAIWA


2. Randomization Experimental studies can be further classified on the basis of whether or not the study population is randomly assigned to different treatment groups. In a Random Design, the experimental group or the control group is not predetermined but randomly assigned. This means each and every individual of a study population has an equal and independent chance of being assigned to an experimental or control group. *RESEARCH SKILLS DR. FAWZI ISHTAIWA


3. Study design based on the Nature of Investigation2- Non-experimental Study: is a study where a researcher starts from the effects to trace the causeLet us look at an objective of this study: To find-out the cause of having violent behavior among children

Violent Behavior Violent Movies Effect (Starting point) Cause (Ending point) *RESEARCH SKILLS DR. FAWZI ISHTAIWA


3. Study design based on the Nature of Investigation3- Quasi_ or semi- experimental studya study that has the properties of both experimental and non- experimental study.*RESEARCH SKILLS DR. FAWZI ISHTAIWA


RESEARCH SKILLS DR. FAWZI ISHTAIWA*Study Designs in Qualitative Research


Case StudyThorough analysis of individual case. The case may be a person, group, episode, process, community, society or any other unit of social life. The assumption of the approach is that the case being studied is typical of cases of a certain type so that, thorough intensive analysis, generalization may be made that will be applicable to other cases of the same type.RESEARCH SKILLS DR. FAWZI ISHTAIWA*


The Advantages of Case StudyGood source of ideas about behavior Good opportunity for innovation Good method to study rare phenomena Good method to challenge theoretical assumptions Good alternative or complement to the other approachesRESEARCH SKILLS DR. FAWZI ISHTAIWA*


The Disadvantages of Case StudyHard to draw definite cause-effect conclusions Hard to generalize from a single case Possible biases in data collection and interpretation (since single person gathers and analyzes the information)RESEARCH SKILLS DR. FAWZI ISHTAIWA*


The Findings of Case StudyThe case narrative richly and fully reports the subjects perceptions about the phenomenon being investigated . Researchers using the reflective analysis strategy try to draw their readers into the participants experiences by using emotive writings, poems, etc. RESEARCH SKILLS DR. FAWZI ISHTAIWA*


EthnographyEthnography involves the study of an intact group.It is an analytical description of social scenes and groups that recreate for the reader the shared beliefs, practices, artifacts, folk knowledge, and behaviors of those people. Great emphasis is given to the relationship between culture and behavior.The researcher is typically an observer or a participant observer

RESEARCH SKILLS DR. FAWZI ISHTAIWA*


EthnographyEthnographic research is very labor and time intensive, involving extensive fieldwork in a natural setting. Usually a general research question(s) is (are) identified. Once entry is gained and rapport (or trust) is established, the research questions are continually refined becoming more focused.



The Findings of Ethnographic ResearchFindings are reported in the form of research based assertions supported by analytical vignettes, interview quotes, and interpretative observations, All intended to present a holistic, rich description of the experiences and perceptions of participants.RESEARCH SKILLS DR. FAWZI ISHTAIWA*


Focus GroupsFocus groups are panels, facilitated by a moderator, who meet for a specified time period to exchange perspectives, knowledge, and/or opinions on a Particular topic. Groups are rarely more than a dozen members. RESEARCH SKILLS DR. FAWZI ISHTAIWA*


Focus GroupsAdvantages of focus groups: Can quickly and cheaply identify core issues of a topic. Can observe reactions to a research question or product in an open forum. Can explore new or unexpected information or reactions in subsequent focus groups. Enable subjects to respond in their own words and their emotional intensity can be measured.RESEARCH SKILLS DR. FAWZI ISHTAIWA*


Historical Research Historical research relies on records, diaries, oral histories, photographs, and other artifacts to describe, analyze, and explain past events, philosophies, etc. The artifacts and records used are driven by the particular study and its research question(s). Historical research relies significantly on inductive, logical reasoning



Historical Research The Source Materials are either primary or secondary sources: A primary source as, an original or first-hand account of the event or experience. A secondary source is any account that is not primary. Primary sources are more desirable than secondary sources.



Chap.6 Res. Design

Documents

Transcript of Chap.6 Res. Design