Research Design: Construction Management Chair

Construction Management Chair
COTM5241: Research Methods

And
Technical Report Writing
Chapter 3
Research Design
Contents
Research Design and Methodology
1. Research Design
2. Need for Research Design
3. Research Design for various types of Research
4. Developing a Research Plan
5. Elements of a Research Proposal
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1. Research Design
 The next step that follows the task of defining the
research problem is the preparation of the design of the
research project, popularly known as the “research
design”.
 Decisions regarding what, where, when, how much, by
what means concerning an inquiry or a research study
constitute a research design.
 A research design is the arrangement of conditions for
collection and analysis of data in a manner that aims to
combine relevance to the research purpose with
economy in procedure.
 In fact, the research design is the conceptual structure
within which research is conducted; it constitutes the
blueprint for the collection, measurement and analysis of
data.
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1. Research Design
 The study type may dictate certain research designs.
 More commonly, the study objectives can be achieved
through a number of alternative designs.
 The researcher has to select the most appropriate and
most feasible design.
 The type of research design chosen depends on:
 Type of problem;
 Knowledge already available about the problem; and
 Resources available for the study.
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1. Research Design
 The design includes an outline of what the researcher will
do from writing the hypothesis and its operational
implications to the final analysis of data.
 More explicitly, the design decisions happen to be in
respect of:
 What is the study about?
 Why is the study being made?
 Where will the study be carried out?
 What type of data is required?
 Where can the required data be found?
 What periods of time will the study include?
 What will be the sample design?
 What techniques of data collection will be used?
 How will the data be analyzed? and
 In what style will the report be prepared?
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2. Need for Research Design
 Research design is needed because it facilitates the
smooth sailing/as planned of the various research
operations, thereby making research as efficient as
possible yielding maximal information with minimal
expenditure of effort, time and money.
 Just as for better, economical and attractive construction
of a building, we need a blueprint, similarly we need a
research design or a plan in advance of data collection
and analysis for our research project.
 Therefore, Research design stands for advance planning
of the methods to be adopted for collecting the relevant
data and the techniques to be used in their analysis,
keeping in view the objective of the research and the
availability of staff, time and money.
 Preparation of the research design should be done with
great care as any error in it may affect the entire project.
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3. Research Design for various types of Researches
 Different research designs can be conveniently described
if we categorize them as:
 Research design in case of exploratory research
studies;
 Research design in case of descriptive and diagnostic
research studies, and
 Research design in case of hypothesis-testing research
studies.
 Each category is dealt with separately in subsequent
discussions.
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3.1 Exploratory Research Design
 The main purpose of such studies is that of formulating a
problem for more precise investigation or of developing
the working hypotheses from an operational point of
view.
 The major emphasis in such studies is on the discovery of
ideas and insights.
 The research design appropriate for such studies must be
flexible enough to provide opportunity for considering
different aspects of a problem under study.
 Inbuilt flexibility in research design is needed because
the research problem, broadly defined initially, is
transformed into one with more precise meaning in
exploratory studies, which may necessitate changes in
the research procedure for gathering relevant data.
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 Generally, the following three methods in the context of
research design for such studies can be considered.
 The survey of concerning literature;
 The experience survey; and
 The analysis of ‘insight-stimulating’ examples.
3.1.1 Literature Survey
 The survey of concerning literature happens to be the
most simple and fruitful method of formulating precisely
the research problem or developing hypothesis.
 Hypothesis stated by earlier workers may be reviewed
and their usefulness be evaluated as a basis for further
research.
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3.1.1 Literature Survey
 In this way the researcher should review and build upon
the work already done by others, but in cases where
hypotheses have not yet been formulated, his task is to
review the available material for deriving the relevant
hypothesis from it.
3.1.2 Experience Survey
 Experience survey means the survey of people who have
had practical experience with the problem to be studied.
 The object of such a survey is to obtain insight into the
relationships between variables and new ideas relating
to the research problem.
 For such a survey people who are competent and can
contribute new ideas may be carefully selected as
respondents to ensure a representation of different types
of experience. 10
3.1.2 Experience Survey
 Thus, an experience survey may enable the researcher to
define the problem more concisely and help in the
formulation of the research hypothesis.
3.1.3 Analysis of Insight-stimulating Examples
 Analysis of ‘insight-stimulating’ examples is also a
fruitful method for suggesting hypotheses for research. It
is particularly suitable in areas where there is little
experience to serve as a guide.
 This method consists of the intensive study of selected
instances of the phenomenon in which one is interested.
 For this purpose the existing records, if any, may be
examined, the unstructured interviewing may take place,
or some other approach may be adopted.
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3.2 Descriptive and Diagnostic Research Design
 Descriptive research studies are those studies which are
concerned with describing the characteristics of a
particular individual, or of a group, whereas diagnostic
research studies determine the frequency with which
something occurs or its association with something else.
 The studies concerning whether certain variables are
associated are examples of diagnostic research studies.
 In descriptive as well as in diagnostic studies, the
researcher must be able to define clearly, what he wants
to measure and must find adequate methods for
measuring it along with a clear cut definition of
‘population’ he wants to study.
 Since the aim is to obtain complete and accurate
information in the said studies, the procedure to be used
must be carefully planned.
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 The research design must make enough provision for
protection against bias and must maximize reliability
with due concern for economical completion of the
research study.
 The design in such studies must be rigid and not flexible
and must focus attention on the following:
 Formulating the objective of the study (what the study is
about and why is it being made?);
 Designing the sources and methods of data collection (what
techniques of gathering data will be adopted?);
 Selecting the sample (how much material will be needed?);
 Collecting the data (where can the required data be found
and with what time period should the data be related?);
 Processing and analyzing the data; and
 Reporting the findings.
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 In a descriptive/diagnostic study the first step is to specify
the objectives with sufficient precision to ensure that the
data collected are relevant. If this is not done carefully,
the study may not provide the desired information.
 Then comes the question of selecting the methods by
which the data are to be obtained. In other words,
techniques for collecting the information must be
devised.
 Several methods (such as observation, questionnaires,
interviewing, examination of records, etc.), with their
merits and limitations, are available for the purpose and
the researcher may use one or more of these methods
which have been discussed in detail in previous sub
topics.
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 In most of the descriptive/diagnostic studies the
researcher takes out sample(s) and then wishes to make
statements about the population on the basis of the
sample analysis.
 To obtain data free from errors introduced by those
responsible for collecting them, it is necessary to
supervise closely the staff of field workers as they collect
and record information. Checks may be set up to ensure
that the data collecting staff perform their duty honestly
and without prejudice.
 As data are collected, they should be examined for
completeness, comprehensibility, consistency and
reliability.
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 The data collected must be processed and analyzed. This
includes steps like coding the interview replies,
observations, etc.; tabulating the data; and performing
several statistical computations.
 To the extent possible, the processing and analyzing
procedure should be planned in detail before actual work
is started.
 Finally, statistical computations such as averages,
percentages and various coefficients must be worked out.
Probability and sampling analysis may as well be used.
 The appropriate statistical operations, along with the use
of appropriate tests of significance should be carried out
to safeguard the drawing of conclusions concerning the
study.
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 Last of all comes the question of reporting the findings.
This is the task of communicating the findings to others
and the researcher must do it in an efficient manner.
 The layout of the report needs to be well planned so that
all things relating to the research study may be well
presented in simple and effective style.
 Thus, the research design in case of descriptive and
diagnostic studies is a comparative design throwing light
on all points narrated above and must be prepared
keeping in view the objective(s) of the study and the
resources available.
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3.3 Hypothesis-testing Research Design
Definition:
 A hypothesis is a tentative statement about the
relationship between two or more variables.
 A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction about what
you expect to happen in your study.
 For example, a study designed to look at the relationship
between sleep deficiency and test performance might
have a hypothesis that states,
 "This study is designed to assess the hypothesis that sleep
deprived people will perform worse on a test than
individuals who are not sleep deprived.
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 Hypothesis-testing research studies (generally known

as experimental studies) are those where the researcher
tests the hypotheses of causal relationships between
variables.
 Such studies require procedures that will not only
reduce bias and increase reliability, but will permit
drawing inferences about causality.
 Usually experiments meet this requirement. Hence,
when we talk of research design in such studies, we
often mean the design of experiments.
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 Unless you are creating a study that is exploratory in

nature, your hypothesis should always explain what you
expect to happen during the course of your experiment or
research
Elements of a Good Hypothesis
When trying to come up with a good hypothesis for your own
research or experiments, ask yourself the following questions:
I. Is your hypothesis based on your research of a topic?
II. Can your hypothesis be tested?
III. Does your hypothesis include independent and dependent

variables?
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 After identifying and defining the problem as also
accomplishing the relating task, the researcher must
arrange his ideas in order and write them in the form of
an experimental plan or what can be described as
‘Research Plan’.
 This is essential specially for new researchers because of
the following:
 It helps to organize ideas in a form whereby it will be
possible to look for flaws/errors and inadequacies, if
any;
 It provides an inventory of what must be done and
which materials have to be collected as a preliminary
step; and
 It is a document that can be given to others for
comment.
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 Research plan may contain the following items:
 Research objective should be clearly stated in a line or
two which tells exactly what it is that the researcher
expects to do.
 The problem to be studied must be explicitly stated so
that one may know what information is to be obtained
for solving the problem.
 Each major concept which researcher wants to
measure should be defined in operational terms in
context of the research project.
 The plan should contain the method to be used in
solving the problem.
 The plan must also state the details of the techniques
to be adopted.
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5. Research Proposal
5.1 General
 Before an attempt is made to start with a research project,
a research proposal should be compiled.
 For the beginner researcher, this is usually among the
most difficult parts. It is, however, the most important
aspect of the research project and should be considered
carefully by the researcher.
 This does not only require subject knowledge, but also
insight into the problem that is going to be investigated,
so as to give logic and structure to the research
envisaged.
 The purpose of a proposal is to explain the type, scope,
and nature of your research. The proposal is the
foundation of the thesis.
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5.2 Title of the Proposal
 It is vital to pick a project topic that is feasible, which
means ‘do-able’ in the short time the researcher have.
 The proposal should include a working title, that is, one
that may be changed later.
 A good title mentions the most important key terms in the
beginning and uses clear, unambiguous phrasing.
 Each topic that is proposed for research has to be judged
according to certain guidelines or criteria.
 There may be several ideas to choose from. Before
deciding on a research topic, each proposed topic must be
compared with all other options.
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 The guidelines or criteria for selecting a research topic:
 Relevance/Significance;
 Avoidance of duplication;
 Urgency of data needed (timeliness);
 Feasibility of study;
 Applicability of results;
 Interest to the researcher; and
 Ethical acceptability.
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 The best projects are those where:
 The topic is of particular interest to you;
 You can easily collect information – the information is
readily available, or you can collect and analyze it
easily, and within a short time period; and
 The aim of the project is focused on a particular aspect
of a chosen topic
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5.3 Writing a Research Proposal
 Writing a proposal is the first formal step in writing the
thesis. It is important not to rush into this before clearly
defining your ideas and completing each step of the
“preparation stage” properly.
 A proposal is written in future‐tense and usually consists
of the first three chapters of the thesis: the introduction,
literature review and methodology.
 Although it is helpful to write the full chapters at this
point and not pile up the work, many people do not
actually write the full three chapters. A solid foundation
for the chapters is satisfactory.
 A good way to start writing a proposal is to read an
example of one to get an idea of what it should look like.
Your advisor should have some old proposals for you to
examine or you could find them on your own.
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5.4 What is Research Proposal?
 After proper and complete planning of a research, the
plan should be written down.
 The research proposal is the detailed plan of study.
 The term "research proposal" indicates that a specific
course of action will be followed.
 It is a document which sets out your ideas in an easily
accessible way.
 The intent of the written research proposal is to present a
focused and scholarly presentation of a research
problem and plan.
 The objective in writing a proposal is to describe what
you will do, why it should be done, how you will do it
and what you expect will result.
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 A vague, weak or fuzzy proposal can lead to a long,
painful, and often unsuccessful research writing
exercise. A clean, well thought-out, proposal forms the
backbone for the research itself.
 A good research proposal hinges on a good idea. Getting
a good idea hinges on familiarity with the topic. This
assumes a longer preparatory period of reading,
observation, discussion, and incubation.
 Read everything that you can in your area of interest.
Figure out what are the important and missing parts of
our understanding. Figure out how to build/discover those
pieces.
 Then just write the important parts as the proposal.
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 The written proposal:
 Forces the researchers to clarify their thoughts and to
think about all aspects of the study;
 It is a necessary guide if a team is working on the
research;
 It is essential if the study involves research on human
subjects or on experimental animals, in order to get the
institution’s ethical approval;
 It is an essential component submitted for funding.
 Once a proposal for a study has been developed and
approved, and the study has started and progressed, it
should be adhered to strictly and should not be changed.
 Violations of the proposal can discredit the whole study.
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 A well-thought out and well-written proposal can be
judged according to three main criteria.
 Is it adequate to answer the research question(s), and
achieve the study objective?
 Is it feasible in the particular set-up for the study?
 Does it provide enough detail that can allow another
investigator to do the study and arrive at comparable
results?
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5.5 Components of Research Proposal
 The basic components of a research proposal are the
same in many fields. However, how they are phrased and
staged may vary by discipline.
 The following components can be regarded as steps in the
writing of the research proposal. They are important and
should be followed for the actual composition of the
proposal.
 The organization of the contents of a proposal may vary
somewhat with the nature of the activity proposed.
 Generally, the basic components of a proposal are
described in this part in the order in which they most
logically appear in a proposal.
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 Title Page;
 Introduction:
 Research background;
 Problem statement;
 Significance to knowledge /Justification of the study;
 Scope/delimitation of the study;
 Research objectives (general and specific); and
 Research questions.
 Literature review:
 Previous research (others and yours);
 Interlocking findings and Unanswered questions;
 The remaining questions and inter-locking logic; and
 Rephrasing research question(s) in this context.
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 Research Methodology:
 Approach;
 Study area, design and subjects;
 Eligibility criteria (if any);
 Sample size and sampling method;
 Method of Data collection;
 Description of Variables;
 Data quality assurance;
 Operational definitions; and
 Analytic techniques (plan of data analysis) and interpreting
results.
 Work plan/Schedule;
 Budget;
 References or Bibliography; and
 Appendices/Annexes. 34
THANK YOU!
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Construction Management Chair

COTM5241: Research Methods

 Hypothesis-testing research studies (generally known

 Unless you are creating a study that is exploratory in

II. Can your hypothesis be tested?

III. Does your hypothesis include independent and dependent

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