Research Methods in Nursing By: Gli / F. A.

Ahmed
College of Nursing
University of Kirkuk
2019-2020, Lecture 5

Selecting research design

2-Designing & planning phase:

2.1. Selecting research design.

2.2. Identification of the population to be studied.

2.3. Specification of material & methods of research variables.

2.4. Designing the sampling plan.

2.5. Finalizing & reviewing research plan.

2.6. Pilot study.

Research design: Research design presents a structure of given scientific work by providing

systematic process and directions of the research. The researcher, first and foremost is supposed to

note the research method they choose will affect the conclusion and findings of the results.

There are 3 research designs to pick from and these include quantitative and qualitative methods

or combination of both (mixed methods).

The following table show sub-classification of research designs according to the three main types:

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Research Methods in Nursing By: Gli / F. A. Ahmed
College of Nursing
University of Kirkuk
2019-2020, Lecture 5

Selecting research design

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Research Methods in Nursing By: Gli / F. A. Ahmed
College of Nursing
University of Kirkuk
2019-2020, Lecture 5

Selecting research design

2.1 Selection of research design.

1. Research design is the overall plan to obtain answers to research question.

2. The design specifies the various types of research approaches that will adopted.

3. As to how the researcher plans to implement specific controls to enhance the

interpretability of the results.

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Research Methods in Nursing By: Gli / F. A. Ahmed
College of Nursing
University of Kirkuk
2019-2020, Lecture 5

Selecting research design

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Research Methods in Nursing By: Gli / F. A. Ahmed
College of Nursing
University of Kirkuk
2019-2020, Lecture 5

Selecting research design

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Research Methods in Nursing By: Gli / F. A. Ahmed
College of Nursing
University of Kirkuk
2019-2020, Lecture 5

Selecting research design

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Research Methods in Nursing By: Gli / F. A. Ahmed
College of Nursing
University of Kirkuk
2019-2020, Lecture 5

Selecting research design

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Research Methods in Nursing By: Gli / F. A. Ahmed
College of Nursing
University of Kirkuk
2019-2020, Lecture 5

Selecting research design

2.4 Specifying methods to measure the research variables.

1. The researcher must develop a method to observe & measure research variable as
accurately as possible.

2. A variety of quantitative data collection approaches exist, e.g.bio-physiological

measurements, self- reports, observation.

3. Data collection methods vary depending on the research question & methodology.

4. The task of measuring research variables & to develop data collection plan is a
complex process.

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Research Methods in Nursing By: Gli / F. A. Ahmed
College of Nursing
University of Kirkuk
2019-2020, Lecture 5

Selecting research design

2.5 Finalizing & reviewing the research plan.

1. Researchers must finalize the research plan by individuals, groups before the actual
implementation.

2. The researcher must have their research plan approved by special committees as to
ensure that the plan does not violate ethical principles.

2.6 Conducting pilot study & revision.

1. The primary focus of the pilot study is to assess the adequacy of the data collection plan.

2. The researcher needs to know the adequacy of the technical equipment.

3. The tool for data collection is validated & is termed as pre-testing.

4. Pilot study should be carried out with care as a major study.

5. The pilot study subjects should be chosen from the same population as of the main study.

Descriptive Research Design: Is the most widely-used research design as indicated by the
theses, dissertations and research reports of institutions. Its common means of obtaining
information include the use of the questionnaire, personal interviews with the aid of study guide or
interview schedule, and observation, either participatory or not. Includes studies that purport to
present facts concerning the nature and status of anything. This means that descriptive research
gives meaning to the quality and standing of facts that are going on. For instance, the information
about a group of person, a number of objects, a set of conditions, a class of events, a system of
thoughts or any other kind of phenomenon or experience which one may wish to study.

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Research Methods in Nursing By: Gli / F. A. Ahmed
College of Nursing
University of Kirkuk
2019-2020, Lecture 5

Selecting research design

The principal aims in employing descriptive research are to describe the nature of a situation

as it exists at the time of the study and to explore the causes of particular phenomena.

Six steps in conducting descriptive research:

– Identify problem
– Review literature
– Select participants and instruments
– Collect valid and reliable data
– Analyze data
– Report conclusions

Common Errors in conducting descriptive research:

Lack of participant response:
– Low response rates are common
– Difficulties interpreting the findings without the data representing non-respondents’ views

Unclear/ambiguous items:
– Researcher needs to develop recording forms that collect the data objectively and reliably.

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