SPECIFIC RESEARCH DESIGN

Research design
– A blueprint for
conducting the business
research project.
– It details the procedures
necessary for obtaining
the information needed
to structure or solve
business research
problems.
 RESEARCH DESIGN
• The design is the structure of any scientific
work. It gives direction and systematizes
the research. There are various designs which
are used in research, all with specific
advantages and disadvantages. Which one the
scientist uses, depends on the aims of the
study and the nature of the phenomenon:
 RESEARCH DESIGN
• A schema that maps out the sources of data,
the type of data to be collected, how the data
will be collected, and the methods to be used
in data analysis

• A research design may be classified in terms of

the purpose of the study, timeframe, scope of
the problem, data requirement and method of
data collection
RESEARCH DESIGN
❖Descriptive research
Aim: To observe and
describe
➢ Conducted to illustrate
and determine patterns
or characteristics of
variables in particular
instances or events
➢ Appropriate Words to
Use:Describe, determine
Analyze, explain, define
and illustrate
 RESEARCH DESIGN
❖Correlational research
Aim: To predict
➢ Conducted to establish
the fact that the
outcome of certain
patterns of relationships
occur together in a
specified manner
without suggesting that
one variable causes
another variable to
change.
 RESEARCH DESIGN
❖Causal/explanatory
research
➢ Carried out to ascertain
that the occurrence of,
or change in, the
independent variables
leads to changes in the
dependent variables
 RESEARCH DESIGN
❖Exploratory Research
➢ Undertaken to gather
initial data patterns or
characteristics of
variables in a situation
where studies have not
been done or minimal
data are available to
establish significant
patterns or relationships
of variables in a
specified scope
 RESEARCH DESIGN
❖ Comparative Research
➢ Undertaken to confirm if
two or more variables
reveal similar or different
patterns of characteristics
when compared, using a
set of variables as standard
bases

➢ Appropriate Words to use:

Compare, Determine
similarities, Find out
differences, Contrast
 RESEARCH DESIGN
❖ Experimental Research
Aim: To determine causes
➢ Undertaken to determine the
possible cause and effect
relationship through
experimental and control groups
➢ Usually done in a simulated
environment
➢ Experimental group: exposed to
treatment conditions or
manipulations
➢ Control group: not exposed to
treatment conditions or
manipulations
➢ Appropriate Words to Use:
Determine the effects, Examine
the differences, Compare the
results, Analyze the influence
 RESEARCH DESIGN
❖Evaluative Research
➢ Conducted to assess
performance outcome or
impact of a set of variables
on another
➢ Considers an adequate time
span to pinpoint the effects
accurately
➢ Could also be a longitudinal
study

➢ Appropriate Words to Use:

Evaluate, Assess, Appraise,
Measure and Quantify
 RESEARCH DESIGN
❖ Action Research
➢ Conducted to develop or
recommend fresh
approaches, policies,
programs, strategies, or
skills to solve problems in
an actual setting
➢ Feasibility studies,
Corporate strategy papers,
Industry studies, Policy-
oriented researches

➢ Appropriate Words:
Develop, Propose, Suggest,
Recommend, Determine
Alternative Approaches,
Identify Solutions,
Formulate Policies
 RESEARCH DESIGN
Descriptive Design
❖ Aim: Observe and Describe
• Descriptive Research
• Case Study
• Naturalistic Observation
Correlational Studies
❖ Aim: Predict
• Case Control Study
• Observational Study
• Cohort Study
• Longitudinal Study
• Cross Sectional Study
• Correlational Studies in
general
•
 RESEARCH DESIGN

Semi-Experimental Designs Experimental Designs

• Aim: Determine Causes • Aim: Determine Causes
• Field Experiment • True Experimental
• Quasi-Experimental Design
Design • Double-Blind
• Twin Studies Experiment
• Causal Design
 RESEARCH DESIGN
Test Study Before Conducting a
Reviewing Other Research Full-Scale Study

❖Aim: Explain ❖Aim: Does the Design

• Literature Review Work?
• Meta-analysis • Pilot Study
• Systematic Reviews
• Confirmatory
• Historical
 RESEARCH DESIGN

SIMPLE EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUES COMPLEX EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS

• Pretest-Posttest Design • Factorial Design

• Control Group • Solomon Four-Group
Design
• Randomization
• Repeated Measures
• Randomized Controlled
Design
Trials
• Counterbalanced
• Between Subjects Measures Design
Design • Matched Subjects Design
• Within Subject Design • Bayesian Probability
 WHAT DESIGN TO CHOOSE?
• What design you choose depends on different
factors.
• What information do you want?
• The aims of the study.
• The nature of the phenomenon - Is it feasible to
collect the data, and if so, would it be valid/reliable?
• How reliable should the information be?
• Is it ethical to conduct the study?
• The cost of the design
• Is there little or much current scientific theory and
literature on the topic?