TAXONOMY OF RESEARCH DESIGNS

Research Types of Type of Non- Types of Purpose Purpose Research Design

Approach Quantitative Experimental Descriptive Sub-categories based on Number
Research Research Research of Contacts with
Study Population
To examine the
Correlation relationship between
Research two variables Cross-Sectional
including its direction Design
and magnitude.
To describe the developmental changes brought
about in the population as a function of time and Cross-sectional or
Growth Study age. Longitudinal Design
To describe the status of the development of the
Follow-up subjects going through a particular treatment. Cross-sectional or
Study Longitudinal Design
Quantitative Non-experimental Descriptive To describe the To describe the significant visible trends
Research Research Research Developmental pattern of the Trend Study regarding the development of a particular Longitudinal Design
Research development of a phenomenon.
given population To describe the changes in a population having
across the varying Cohort Study common characteristics over a period of time. Cross-sectional or
ages or life periods. Longitudinal Design
To describe the changes of the same population
Panel Study over a period of time. Longitudinal Design
To describe a Explanatory To explain the cause underlying a phenomenon
Case Study particular individual Case Study or behavior. Case Study Design
unit through in-depth Descriptive To provide a description, or document and Case Study Design
and intensive study. Case Study classify a situation, event or phenomenon.
To describe the Cross-sectional
Survey Study characteristics of the Design
population by using a
survey method.
 Purpose Types of Sub-categories based Purpose & Research Design Characteristics
Experimental on design
Research
Purpose: To attempt to explain a consequent by an 1. Only one group
One-shot Case Study antecedent. 2. No randomization
3. No pretest
Group 1Ex: --- X >> O1 4. Only posttest

Comment: Least reliable of all experimental designs

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of a variable. 1. Only one group
To establish the One Group Pre-test- 2. No randomization
Experimental possible causal Pre- posttest pre- Group 1Ex: O1 >> X >> O2 3. Pretesting
Research relationship Experimental experimental 4. Experimental manipulation (X)
between Research or Comments: Provides a measure of change but can 5. Post-test
variables Within-Subject provide no conclusive results. 6. Note the difference between
through Designs scores (O1-O2)
systematic Purpose: To measure the effect of a treatment over 1. Only one group
observations time. Beneficial for longitudinal studies. 2. Pretest (O1)
carried out in Repeated Measures 3. Repeated measures of posttest
controlled Group 1Ex: O1 X O2 X O3 X O4 X O5 (O2, O3, O4, O5)
conditions. 4. Experimental manipulation of X
at different levels (X1, X2, X3, X4)
5. Note the difference between
scores (O1-O2, O2-O3, O3-O4)
Purpose: To determine the influence of a variable 1. Two groups
Static Group on one group and not on another. 2. Non-equivalent groups
Comparison 3. No pretest
Group 1Ex: -- X >> O1 4. Experimental manipulation of X
Group 2Co: -- -- >> O2

Posttest Only Purpose: To evaluate a situation that cannot be 1. Randomized groups

Equivalent Group pretested. 2. Equivalent groups
Design 3. Different treatments (X1, X2)
Group 1Ex: -- X1 >> O1 4. No pretesting
Group 2Co: -- X2 >> O2 5. Comparison of posttest scores
True Pretest-posttest Purpose: To study the effect of an influence on a 1. Randomized groups
Experiment Equivalent Group carefully controlled sample. 2. Equivalent groups
Research or Design 3. Different treatments (X1, X2)
Between- Group 1Ex: O1 >> X1 >> O2 4. Pretesting
 Subject Group 2Co: O3 >> X2 >> O4 5. Comparison of pretest and
Design posttest scores
Solomon Three or Purpose: To minimize the effect of pretesting. 1. Randomized groups
Four Equivalent 2. Four groups
Groups Design Group 1Ex: O1 >> X1 >> O2 3. Two groups: Pretest-Posttest
Group 2Co: O3 >> X2 >> O4 4. Two groups: posttest only
Group 3Ex: -- X1 >> O5 5. Equivalent groups
Group 4Co: -- X2 >> O6

Posttest Only Non- Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of an 1. Non-equivalent groups

equivalent Groups already introduced practice/programme. 2. May not be randomized
Designs 3. No pretesting
Group 1Ex: -- X >> O1 4. Two groups
Group 2Co: -- -- >> O2 5. Post-test scores only
6. Effectiveness is measured by
Comment: Testing is done only once. comparing posttest scores
Experimental To establish the Pretest-posttest Non- Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of a 1. Non-equivalent groups
Research possible causal Quasi- equivalent Groups treatment or intervention. 2. May not be randomized
relationship Experimental Design 3. Two groups
between Research Group 1Ex: O1 >> X1 >> O2 5. Both groups measured twice
variables Group 2Co: O3 >> -- >> O4 6. Effectiveness is measured by
through comparing pretest-posttest scores
systematic Purpose: To determine the influence of a variable 1. Series of repeated observations
observations Time Series Design introduced only after a series of initial observations 2. Pretest observations may reveal
carried out in and only where one group is available. existing trend or fluctuations in
controlled the data.
conditions. Group 1Ex: O1 > O2 > O3 > X > O4 > O5 > O6 3. Posttest observations may
reveal the presence or absence of
any post treatment trend or
fluctuations.
Causal or Co- Purpose: To find relation and association between
relational Research two events, factors or conditions occurring at the
Design same time.

Ex-post Facto Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Research X Y
Causal-Comparative Group1Ex: IV DV
Design X Y1
 Group1Co: -- Y2
Single Subject ABAB Design Purpose: To establish a causal relationship between A – Baseline measurement
Research the variables of the study and/or to evaluate the B – Intervention measurement
effectiveness on the introduced programme to a A – Withdrawal measurement
single study. B – Intervention measurement