RESEARCH DESIGN AND PLANNING PHASE

Research Design and Planning Phase is basically a broad framework that states the total pattern of conducting a research project. It specifies the study and the researchers’ objectives, data collection and analysis methods, time, costs, responsibility, probable outcomes, and actions.

But how do these aforementioned above contribute to the study?

Firstly, Objectives, the researchers’ point and goal to attain from the beginning until the end of the study and so as to answer why the research project is to be conducted.

Data Collection and Analysis Method, that starts with gathering a certain type of data that is needed and beneficial to the study; thus, with analyzing the data gathered, a problem is defined, a method is integrated and applied to use as a tool to formulate particular methodology and run a smoother study procedure.

Time, in imposing a certain deadline, planning is at handy in working with consideration to time limit, work speed and access to certain project. Time is also subjected to data gathered with specified date to account for validity in supporting the study.

Costs, while doing the study, it is best to assess and check on how the community (targeted population), the researchers and the readers (aspiring researchers) will benefit and what it costs to complete the project.

Responsibility, are tasks researchers need to follow and to commit themselves. It is dependent to the kind of project that is proposed.

Probable Outcomes, are outcomes that based regardless of how the study is anticipated to be realized and to what changes weathered needed for immediate actions.

Lastly, Actions, are measures to be taken based on the outcomes. A project is not fully realize without outcomes since actions are directed based on how the study resulted.

To start a research project, says to be crucial yet for the best to not select a research design beforehand. This is said to be a step process to secure the flow and avoidance of mixed and unnecessary data tinted by confusion. Below are the different types classified.

 Historical Research Design, The idea is to gather, validate, and synthesize evidence to establish facts which defend or oppose hypothesis.

 Case Study, It is an in-depth investigation of a specific research problem as opposed to a sweeping statistical survey.

Descriptive Research, Descriptive research includes much government backed research such as the population census, the gathering of a broad range of social indicators and economic information for example household expenditure patterns, time use studies, employment and crime statistics.

Causal Design, Causality research could be regarded as understanding a phenomenon with regards to conditional statements in the form, “If A, then B.”

Longitudinal Research Design, A longitudinal study consists of a panel, which is a fixed sample of elements.

Cross-Sectional Design, Cross-sectional research designs have 3 exclusive features: no time dimension, a reliance upon present differences rather than change following intervention; and, groups are chosen according to existing differences as opposed to random allocation.

Correlation or Prospective Research Design, It tries to discover relationships to make predictions. It uses one set of subjects with a couple of variables for each.

Cohort Design, A cohort study is a research program looking into a specific group with a certain trait, and observes over a period of time.

Observational Design, This kind of research design draws a conclusion by evaluating subjects against a control group, in situations where the researcher doesn’t have control over the experiment. There are a couple of general types of observational designs.

Experimental Research Design, This design is best suited in controlled settings for example labs.

Philosophical Design, This method makes use of the tools of argumentation based on philosophical traditions, concepts, models, and theories to critically explore and challenge, for instance, the relevance of logic and evidence in academic debates, to evaluate arguments about fundamental problems, or to discuss the cause of existing discourse about a research problem.

Notes on, there are Two Major Components of research design.

First at hand, Quantitative Designs, Quantitative Research is a formal, objective, systematic process in which numeric data are used such as measurement, hypothesis testing and data analysis. To obtain certain numeric data, traditional approaches are utilized namely experiments, questionnaires and surveys. Thus, Quantitative Research designs most often reflect a deterministic philosophy that is rooted in the post-positivist paradigm, or school of thought.

Second, Qualitative Designs, Qualitative Research is a systematic approach used to evaluate subjective life experiences and give meaning to them to give clear insights and expand understanding a phenomena from an individual’s point of view. Observation, In-depth Interviews, Case Studies, and Narrative Analyses are utilized to obtain the needed data. Thus, Qualitative Research design provides a dimension of understanding that adds to traditional quantitative methodology.

Hence, Research Design and Planning Phase plays a vital role in establishing objectives of research project which will then provide guidelines of what is need to be done (selection of design, identification of population to study, sampling plan, methods to measure research variables and finalization of research study) to realize those objectives. A wholesome directory to plan and to complete a project in avoidance to disorganization and meaningless study. In other words, Research Design and Planning Phase is a master plan for executing a research project.

 

 

Source: http://www.esourceresearch.org/Default.aspx?TabId=679

                             N Res 2 Module prepared by Grace R. Abad