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EXPLANATION AND DISCUSSION OF RESEARCH DESIGNS

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Design of Research

Qualitative research analysis explores data that cannot be quantified thus focuses more on

the particular attributes and objects of the research for a deeper understanding of the ‘why’ in

research. Quantitative analysis on the other hand collects, classifies and computes numerical data

using statistical methods making it objective in understanding and describing occurrences

(Pritchard, 2015). Qualitative methods therefore include in-depth interviews, focused groups, and

documents reviews whereas quantitative methods include structured interviews and observations,

surveys, and document review for numeric information. Qualitative research methods therefore

uses inductive processes primarily which help in designing hypotheses and theories that the

entire research is supposed to be guided by (Pritchard, 2015). In contrast, quantitative research

methods are deductive in that the processes that are to be used in exploring a theory are pre-

specified concepts which design the construct and hypothesis guiding the entire research.

In this regard, quantitative research methods are objective in that the researchers interpret

the observed numerical outcomes of a problem or program whereas qualitative methods are more

of subjective (PMI, 2017). The participants are the ones that describe the problem from their

various points of view since they are the ones experiencing the situation being examined. For

example, experiment conducted by Milgram to understand human behavior and responses to

situations were subjective. Since there are no statistical tests being done, qualitative research

methods results can still be valid and reliable that is why Milgram experiments are still being

used to explain certain phenomenon because the method largely depends on the researcher’s skill

and rigor in obtaining results (Nyumba et al., 2018). Contrary to this, quantitative research

methods are broad as statistical tests are used for analyzing the wide range of information
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gathered. Since it largely depends on the gathered data measurement, the results can be reliable

and valid but with fixed response options because it has to focus primarily on the data analyzed.

Interview is the most common qualitative research design used by researchers. This

design allows the researcher to plan and organize data based on the research theme so that during

exploration of data, the theme pattern can emerge from the ideas collected from the interview.

Surveys and observation are other designs used in qualitative research as they help in analyzing

the participant responses by tagging codes of data through a system that can transcribe whatever

information that was gathered (PMI, 2017). The overarching aspect of these two designs is that

the themes are cohesively aligned so that the open-ended questions encountered in the field can

be captured and interpreted in their original forms. Focused groups have also been used when

deriving information from a group of people. This design is mostly used in ethnographic

explorations whereby the researcher not only wants to observe field notes, survey a theme and

conduct interviews but also experience the perspective in a greater detail (Pritchard, 2015).

Descriptive design is the most common quantitative research design employed by

researchers. The design links the relationship between and within variables in order to correlate

them mathematically so that the impact of one on the other can be determined. In descriptive

design, subjects are usually measured once for an association between variables to be established

(PMI, 2017). In this case, structured research instruments are used to gather information so that

replications can be done and reliability increased. Experimental design is another one used in

comparative cause-effect analysis whereby the dependent and independent variables in the

research are observed. As such, how the various variables interact and change under various

influences irrespective of relation they have between and within each other is an outcome that

the design seeks (PMI, 2017). In this experimental design, theories are either disproving or
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proving statements verified or refuted by the data analysis results making data collection method

very essential and crucial.

Determining which research design is suitable for the theme being explored is essential

thus guided by the research question. This means that the type of problem that the research tends

to explore and the impact that the research is supposed to have increase the need for accuracy

(Nyumba et al., 2018). In this regard, figuring out the research question or problem that the study

aims to address is the first step. Once these are identified, the type of data and evidence that

should be presented is also explored meaning that resources will be explored depending on the

final data that the researchers hopes to present to the readers. Ease of access and procurement of

information to back up the claim and research questions is also essential and a good way to set

pace for the literature review (Nyumba et al., 2018). Understanding the different research

methods and what they can explore with the data collected, response rate and participation is also

a consideration in determining research design.

Since variables can be controlled or manipulated, existing data is a good source for

developing the inclusion or exclusion criteria for a given type of research design whether

qualitative or quantitative. How the data will be prepared is another key factor that understands

analysis discourse of content and themes giving the researcher an aspect regarding the type of

approach that one would like to explore (PMI, 2017). For example, quantitative analysis and

designs can be used when tests are to be confirmed or explored as hypotheses whereas

qualitative designs work better when thoughts, concepts and experiences are to be understood or

explored. Whether an inductive or deductive approach is taken, time, money and data availability

will actually determine whether the research design will be experimental, descriptive or

correlational in nature.
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References

Nyumba, T., Wilson, K., Christina, J., & Mukherjee, N. (2018). The use of focus group

discussion methodology: Insights from two decades of application in conservation.

https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.12860.

Pritchard, C. L. (2015). Risk management: Concepts and guidance (5th Ed.). Boca Raton FL:

CRC Press.

Project Management Institute. (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge

(PMBOK® Guide) — Sixth Edition and Agile Practice Guide (ENGLISH). Newtown

Square, PA: Project Management Institute.