Research Design

Definition / Meaning
A Research Design is the arrangement of
conditions for corrections and analysis of data
in a manner that aims to combine relevance to
the research purpose with economy in
procedure.

Factors affecting Research Design

Availability of scientific information
Availability of sufficient data
Availability of time
Proper exposure to the source of data
Availability of money
Availability of manpower
Effect of various internal and external variables
on the research project
Impact of controllable and uncontrollable
variables on the Research Project
Proper exposure to the sources of data
Top Managements attitude and approach to

Advantages

Time Saving
Direction
Schedule
Resources Planning
Procurement
Better documentation
Satisfaction

Steps

The Problem
Objective of the study
Nature of Study
Sources of Data
Techniques of Data Collection
Social Cultural Context
Geographical Limit
Basis of Selection
Limitations and Scope of Study

Contents
Research Study

About what subject it is?

Reason for this selection
Scope for this study
Objective of this study

Hypothesis
What is to be tested?

Data Collection

What
What
What
What

kind?
different series?
methods of collection?
tools for collection

 Universe and Sample

What universe to be studied?
What type of sampling to be used?
What is the sample size?

Data Analysis
Choice of techniques for analysis
Methods of analysis
Results of analysis and conclusions

Report Writing

Stress on domain of validity

Reference period
Reference and Significance of Study
Identifying areas for further research
Bibliography

Data Collection and

Measurement

 Data consists of facts, figures, any relevant

material that serves for basic study and
analysis.
Without data, no question can be answered.
It is a base for analysis.
Information: Analysis of data

Data Sources
Primary Sources
Observation
Interview
Mailed Questionnaire

Secondary Sources
Internal Source
Private Documents

Bibliography
Camera
Directories
Encyclopedias
Films

Indexes
Journals
Magazines
News Papers
Public Speeches
Radio
TV
Tape recorder
Use of Mechanical Devices
Year Books

External Sources
Unpublished Records Not available to People
in Published form.

Secondary Data
Advantages

Most economic
Available Quickly
Widens Database
Verification of findings

Disadvantages

Not meet the needs

Unreliable data
Inaccurate data
Obsolete data
Limited data

 Characteristics for Evaluating Secondary Data

Data Relation
Quality
Reliability
Originality
Completeness
Unbiasness

Factors influencing the choice for Data

Collection

Type of Information needed

Nature of Research study
Unit of Enquiry
Education
Skilled and Trained Persons
Sample Size

Methods for Primary Data Collection

Observation
Questionnaire
Structured Questionnaire
Non Structured Questionnaire

Experimentation
Interview
Projective Technique

Advantages
Sr.
No
.

Personal
Interview with
Questionnaire

Mailed Questionnaire

Telephone Interview

Most flexible method Wider and more

of obtaining data
representative coverage
possible at the same
cost

Wider and more

representative
coverage possible at
the same cost.

Identity of
Respondent known

No field Staff is required

No field Staff is
required

Very Low/non
response

Cost per questionnaire

relatively low

Cost of response low

Supervision and
Control Possible

No bias for interviewers

Quick way of obtaining

data

Respondents can answer

question directly.

Disadvantages
Sr.
No.

Personal Interview
with Questionnaire

Mailed Questionnaire

Most expensive
method of data
collection

Average number of non

response

Considerable
Probing questions
supervision necessary cannot be asked

Interview period is
short

Bias of the
investigators present
in the responses

Questions which
require probing
cannot be asked.

Assumes that the

respondent is
educated

Slowest of all methods

of data collection

Telephone
Interview
Non telephone
owners and those
with unlisted
numbers cannot be
reached

Preferred Data Collection Method

Sr.
No

Funds

Time

Type of
Data

Personal
Interview

Mail

Inadequa
te

Restrict
ed

Few Items

Inadequa
te

Restrict
ed

Much
Information

Inadequa
te

Ample

Few Items

Restricte
d

Ample

Much
Information

Ample

Restrict
ed

Few Items

Ample

Restrict
ed

Much
Information

Ample

Ample

Few Items

Ample

Ample

Much

Telepho
ne

Observation

Features of Observation

Eye Observation
Aim
Planning
Recording
Physical and mental Activity
Purposive and Selective
Exactness
Cause and Effect relationships
Direct Study

Types of Observation

Direct Observation
Indirect Observation
Participant Observation
Non Participant Observation
Structured Observation
Unstructured Observation

Advantages
Direct means of data collection e.g., Human
Behavior
More accurate and reliable
Less bias involved than questioning
Can be done continuously to increase reliability
and accuracy

Disadvantages
Not useful all the time especially to study the
past problem.
Opinions and attitudes cannot be studied by
observations.
Time involved is more
Difference between observer and event to
occur.
Sampling theory gets ruled out.

The Interview Method

Objectives
To exchange ideas and experience
To elicit (collect) information.

Types of Interview
Formality
Formal
Information

Number
Personal
Group

Purpose

Diagnostic
Treatment
Research
Fulfill Curiosity

 Period of Contact
Short Contact
Prolonged Contact

Subject Matter
Qualitative
Quantitative
Mixed

Role
Non-directive/free/Unstructured
Focused
Repeated

Problems in Interview
Inadequate Response
Non Response
Interviewers bias

Advantages

More Appropriate Technique

Easy to avoid misinterpretations
High percentage of returns
Yield Perfect sample
Information secured is more accurate
Greater number of returns

Disadvantages
Involves high cost
Involves huge time
High degree of skill

Process for Interview Method

Introduction
Object of the Interview
Interview
Free Atmosphere
Help
Research Questions
Encouragement
Direction
Note-Taking
Concluding
Report

The Questionnaire Method

 Purpose
To collect information from the respondents who
are scattered in a vast area
To achieve success in collecting reliable and
dependable data

Types

Structured/Standardized
Non-Structured
Open Ended
Close-Ended
Mixed Questionnaire
Pictorial Questionnaire

Guidelines for Questionnaire Items

Information to be obtained
Type of Questionnaire to be used
Writing a first draft
Re-examining and revising question
Pre-testing and editing the questionnaire
Specify procedure for its use.

Advantages

Less Skill and training

Economical
Standardization
Anonymity
Less Pressure

Disadvantages

Limited Response
Low Returns
Lack of Checking on replies
Limited Success
Limited Flexibility
Lac of Personal Contact
Possibility of Wrong Answers
Illegibility

Thank
YOU