Research design

 

Research design

Research design is a planning of detailed outline of whole research work containing steps and process to be followed in the research which include how data is to be collected, what instruments will be employed, how the instruments will be used and the intended means for analyzing data collected. Research design provides a direction to researcher so that he can precede the research work in a planned and systematic manner.

According to nature :  Research Design is understood as a planning as to the method and technology to be used in research. According to distinct nature, object and purpose of every research their design may vary from one to another. It is a mandatory step to be designed properly in order to undergo any research work.  Research design has linkages with research problem, objectives of research and purposes thereof. Researcher must have a clear picture about research problem, objective and purpose so that he can plan an appropriate and effective design to proceed with research. Whether, design is proper and efficient in achieving objectives of research would come to know after acting accordingly.

 Meaning & Nature of Research Design:

Research design denotes the research planning. A blue print of whole research work is designed by the researcher. If man makes planning to perform any task whether picnic, party, travelling, future planning, business planning or building construction. Before initiating the task he plans or designs certain strategy to complete the task from beginning till last. It includes certain steps, methods, tools and techniques required for successful completion of such task. Similarly, research planning is required before every research work.

A research design is a general plan or strategy for conducting a research study to examine specific testable research questions of interest. The nature of the research questions and hypotheses, the variables involved, the sample of participants, the research settings, the data collection methods, and the data analysis methods are factors that contribute to the selection of the appropriate research design. Thus, a research design is the structure, or the blueprint, of research that guides the process of research from the formulation of the research questions and hypotheses to reporting the research findings.

In designing any research study, the researcher should be familiar with the basic steps of the research process:

1. Identify the research problem clearly and justify its selection, particularly in relation to any valid alternative designs that could have been used,

 2. Review and synthesize previously published literature associated with the problem,

3. Clearly and explicitly specify hypotheses [i.e., research questions] central to the research problem,

 4. Effectively describe the data which will be necessary for an adequate test of the hypotheses and explain how such data will be obtained, and

5. Describe the methods of analysis which will be applied to the data in determining whether or not the hypotheses are true or false.

Classification of Research Design: Research design can be classified into two phases as:

1. Substantive design.

 2. Procedural design

Substantive Research Design: The initial level of designing that verify comes into shape on the basis of nature of problem, objectives and purposes of research. According to nature of the problem i.e., descriptive, diagnostic, remedial, comparative or experimental research.

Procedural design:

After completion of first stage, under second stage of design their procedure is opted in the light of purposes, resources and limitation of research. Limitations may be as to time, fund and human resource etc. Research procedures are not conclusively binding upon the researcher to follow a particular method and procedure in his work. He has full freedom to choose his own procedure suitable and convenient to him but should also be tested in the light of object and purpose of research study. Saul Kripke said as “There is no rule for how to apply a rule.”After selection of problem and objectives have been drawn properly, the researcher has to decide how to deal with the facts, selection of research method, method of data collection, which statistical test to be used, how to select sample size, selection of tools and technology of data collection; he has to make a methodological value judgment. His subjective interference plays a vital role because selection of particular procedure depends on the purposes of research, skill of researcher, availability of resources and limitations of research. While taking decision in this respect he has to be attentive towards the objectives of research.

Object and purpose of Research Design: Research design keeps their importance in research with certain objectives as-

1. It provides the basic shape to every research work, which reflects the nature of problem and objectives thereof. On the basis of nature of research problem certain research design is prepared. Sometimes, merely by looking into the designing, certain anticipations can be made as to the research problem and their objectives. i.e. Qualitative Research or quantitative research design.

2. Certain directions are given to the researcher that what procedure, techniques and tools will be followed by him while data collection and their analysis. It avoids the situation of confusion or fix for taking appropriate decision under research work. In the absence of clear research planning whole research may be chaotic. It would result in loss and wastage of resources.

3. It provides procedural alternative choices to researcher to be selected according to purpose and limitations of research.

4. Research is designed after keeping the nature of data into consideration. What method and tools would be appropriate and reliable in the matter shall be decided according to nature of data, qualitative or quantitative.

5. It works as guiding principle and provide direction to opt certain tools and method on every stage of research.

 6. It provides order of research steps. This helps to researcher to complete study in proper, systematic and orderly manner.

6. Steps of Research Process: There are certain common steps to be followed in every research work. Therefore, every research design contain the planning of all steps such as under –

Steps

i.                     Selection of Subject for Research

ii.                  Formulation of Problems for Research

iii.                Review of Literature

iv.                Preparation of Working  hypothesis

v.                  Selection of methods study

vi.                Preparation of Research design

vii.              Collection of data

viii.            Execution of research design

ix.                Analysis of collected research data

x.                  Testing of Hypothesis

xi.                Interpretation and genaralisation of data

xii.              Preparation of writing research report

xiii.            Annexure of Law report

xiv.            Index Authors

xv.              Foot noting , abbreviations, citations with research report.

Kinds of Research design:

(i)                 Qualitative & Quantitative Research.

( ii.)       Doctrinal & Empirical Research.