RESEARCH DESIGNSRESEARCH DESIGNSA research design is an arrangement A research design is an arrangement of conditions for collection & analysis of conditions for collection & analysis of data in the manner that aims to of data in the manner that aims to combine relevance to the research combine relevance to the research purpose with economy in procedure.purpose with economy in procedure.It is the conceptual structure within It is the conceptual structure within which research is conducted.which research is conducted.

Important concepts relating to Important concepts relating to research designsresearch designs

1.Dependent & independent variable:1.Dependent & independent variable:A concept that can take different A concept that can take different

quantitative values is called a variable. quantitative values is called a variable. e.g. weight, height.e.g. weight, height.

Phenomenon which can take on different Phenomenon which can take on different quantitative values even in decimals are quantitative values even in decimals are known as ‘continuous variables’ e.g. age known as ‘continuous variables’ e.g. age

If variables can only be expressed in integer If variables can only be expressed in integer values they are known as ‘Discrete values they are known as ‘Discrete variables’ e.g. No. of childrenvariables’ e.g. No. of children

If one variable depends upon or is a If one variable depends upon or is a consequence of the other variable is consequence of the other variable is termed as ‘Dependent variable’termed as ‘Dependent variable’

Opposite to this is ‘independent Opposite to this is ‘independent variable’ variable’

e.g. if height depends upon age then e.g. if height depends upon age then height is a dependent variable & height is a dependent variable & age is independent variableage is independent variable

2.Extraneous variable2.Extraneous variableIndependent variables that are not related to Independent variables that are not related to

the purpose of the study, but may effect the the purpose of the study, but may effect the dependent variable. e.g. to test the dependent variable. e.g. to test the hypothesis there is relationship between hypothesis there is relationship between children’s gain in social studies (dependent children’s gain in social studies (dependent variable) & self concept (independent variable) & self concept (independent variable). However intelligence may also variable). However intelligence may also affect the achievement affect the achievement

Whatever effect is noticed upon the dependent Whatever effect is noticed upon the dependent variable as a result of extraneous variable is variable as a result of extraneous variable is technically termed as technically termed as Experimental errorExperimental error

3. Control :3. Control :The technical term control is used when The technical term control is used when

we design the study minimizing the we design the study minimizing the effect of extraneous variableeffect of extraneous variable

It is used to refer to the restrain It is used to refer to the restrain experimental conditionsexperimental conditions

4.4. Research hypothesis : Research hypothesis :It is a predictive statement that relates It is a predictive statement that relates

an independent to a dependent an independent to a dependent variables which is to be objectively variables which is to be objectively verified or the relationships assumed verified or the relationships assumed are to be tested are to be tested

6.Experimental & non experimental 6.Experimental & non experimental hypothesis testing research:hypothesis testing research:

When the purpose of research is to test When the purpose of research is to test a research hypothesis it is termed as a research hypothesis it is termed as hypothesis testing research hypothesis testing research

Research in which the independent Research in which the independent variable is manipulated is termed as variable is manipulated is termed as experimental hypothesis testing experimental hypothesis testing researchresearch

Opposite to this is non experimental Opposite to this is non experimental hypothesis testing research.hypothesis testing research.

7. Experimental & control group:7. Experimental & control group:In experimental hypothesis when a group is In experimental hypothesis when a group is

exposed to usual conditions it is termed as exposed to usual conditions it is termed as ‘control group’‘control group’

When the group is exposed to some special When the group is exposed to some special conditions it is known as conditions it is known as ‘experimental ‘experimental group’group’

8.Treatments:8.Treatments:The different conditions under which The different conditions under which

experimental &control groups are put are experimental &control groups are put are usually referred to as usually referred to as treatmentstreatments

9. Experiments:9. Experiments:The process of examining the truth of The process of examining the truth of

a hypothesis relating to some a hypothesis relating to some research problemresearch problem

10.Experimental units:10.Experimental units:The predetermined plots or The predetermined plots or

blocks ,where treatments are used blocks ,where treatments are used are known as experimental unitsare known as experimental units

DIFFERENT RESEARCH DIFFERENT RESEARCH DESIGNSDESIGNS

Different research designs Different research designs may be categorized asmay be categorized asExploratory research designExploratory research designDescriptive research designDescriptive research designHypothesis research designHypothesis research design

1.Exploratory research design1.Exploratory research design Also termed as formulative research Also termed as formulative research

studiesstudies Major emphasis is on discovery of new Major emphasis is on discovery of new

ideas & insightsideas & insights The designs should have been an inbuilt The designs should have been an inbuilt

flexibility as many transformation will flexibility as many transformation will take place during the studytake place during the study

Generally 3 methods in context to these Generally 3 methods in context to these designs is talked of. They aredesigns is talked of. They are Survey of concerning literatureSurvey of concerning literature Experience surveyExperience survey Analysis of insight stimulating examplesAnalysis of insight stimulating examples

a.a. Survey of concerning literatureSurvey of concerning literatureHypothesis stated by earlier workers may be Hypothesis stated by earlier workers may be

reviewed & their usefulness be evaluated as a reviewed & their usefulness be evaluated as a basis of further research.basis of further research.

It may be reviewed whether already stated It may be reviewed whether already stated hypothesis suggest new hypothesishypothesis suggest new hypothesis

b.b. Experience survey Experience surveyMeans the survey of people who have had Means the survey of people who have had

practical experience with the problem to be practical experience with the problem to be studied.studied.

For such a survey people who are competent & For such a survey people who are competent & can contribute new ideas may be carefully can contribute new ideas may be carefully selected as respondents to ensure a selected as respondents to ensure a representation of different types of representation of different types of experience.experience.

The respondent may be interviewed ,an The respondent may be interviewed ,an interview schedule may be prepared interview schedule may be prepared for systematic questioning but the for systematic questioning but the interviewer must ensure flexibility in interviewer must ensure flexibility in the sense that respondent should be the sense that respondent should be allowed to raise the issues & allowed to raise the issues & questions which the questions which the

investigator had not previously investigator had not previously considered.considered.

c. Analysis of insight stimulating c. Analysis of insight stimulating examples:examples:

It is also a fruitful method & suitable in areas It is also a fruitful method & suitable in areas where there is less experience to serve as a where there is less experience to serve as a guideguide

The method consists of the intensive study of The method consists of the intensive study of selected instances of the phenomenon in selected instances of the phenomenon in which one is interestedwhich one is interested

For this past records, if any may be examined, For this past records, if any may be examined, unstructured interview may be carried out.unstructured interview may be carried out.

Attitude of the researcher, intensity of the Attitude of the researcher, intensity of the study, ability pf the researcher to draw the study, ability pf the researcher to draw the diverse information into unified diverse information into unified interpretation are main features.interpretation are main features.

2.Descriptive research design2.Descriptive research designAre those studies concerned with Are those studies concerned with

describing the characteristics of a describing the characteristics of a particular individual or of group.particular individual or of group.

The researcher must be able to define The researcher must be able to define clearly that what he wants to measure. clearly that what he wants to measure. i.e. whether diagnostic or descriptioni.e. whether diagnostic or description

The design must be rigid & not flexible. ItThe design must be rigid & not flexible. Itshould have provision against biased should have provision against biased ness ness

It must focus attention on the It must focus attention on the following:following:Formulating the objective of studyFormulating the objective of studyDesigning he methods of data collectionDesigning he methods of data collectionSelecting the sampleSelecting the sampleCollecting the dataCollecting the dataProcessing & analysis of dataProcessing & analysis of dataReporting the findingsReporting the findings

The difference between the research The difference between the research designs in the above 2 research designs in the above 2 research

studies arestudies areResearcResearch designh design

Type of studyType of studyEXPLORATORY EXPLORATORY DESCRIPTIVEDESCRIPTIVE

Overall Overall designdesign

Flexible Flexible (considers (considers various various aspects)aspects)

Rigid (works Rigid (works at minimizing at minimizing biased ness)biased ness)

Sampling Sampling Can be non Can be non probabilityprobability

Probability Probability designsdesigns

Data Data collectioncollection

Instrument can Instrument can be be unstructuredunstructured

Structured Structured instrumentsinstruments