Show your acquaintance with the research procedure. Also elaborate: “The research design is the conceptual structure within which research is conducted.” Discuss various parts of the research design with suitable examples.
Research refers to the scientific method of investigation. It is the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. It is a careful and detailed study into a specific problem, concern, or issue using a scientific method. Research can be defined as the search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, with an open mind, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories.
A research procedure consists of series of actions or steps necessary to effectively carry out research and the desired sequencing of these steps. The research procedure has the purpose to produce new knowledge, or to offer a new manner of understanding present knowledge. Basically, there are 8 steps of scientific research procedure which are mentioned as follows:
1. Define the research Problem
2. Review of Literature
3. Formulation of Hypothesis or Research Question
4. Preparing the Research Design
5. Data Collection
6. Data Analysis
7. Presenting Findings / Conclusions
8. Replication
“The research design is the conceptual structure within which research is conducted.” Research design is a framework or plan for conducting the research study. It lay the foundation for conducting a research. 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. The function of research design is to provide for the collection of relevant evidence with minimal expenditure of effort, time and money. It is very essential for any research to have a foundation to conduct every research process. Research design is that foundation and therefore, the research design is the conceptual structure within which research is conducted.
Research design involves the following 4 designs:
1. Sampling design: Sampling design deals with the methods of selecting items to be observed for the study. It is planned with regard to the sample of the population. This design is very accurate, reliable, economical in nature, and very reliable. It is further divided into two types:
Ø Probability sampling: Probability sampling is a sampling technique where the samples are gathered in a process that gives all the entities in the population equal chances of being selected. For example: to make a report of average age of students in a class, every student’s age is recorded.
Ø Non-probability sampling: Non-probability sampling is a sampling technique where the samples are gathered in a process that does not give all the entities in the population equal chances of being selected. For example: You would like to know what percent of the student population use Colgate and Close-up as their toothpaste. You decide to study 20% of the student population and ask them only, instead of studying all the 100%. So you go from the selected desired students and ask them the toothpaste that they use until you complete the sample.
2. Observational design: Observational design deals with techniques which relates to the condition under which the observation are to be created. It focuses on how to get the data for the research. For example: visiting the site, contacting the person, watching the field, questioning people, etc.
3. Statistical design: Statistical design deals with techniques which concern the question of how the information and data gathered are to be analyzed. It focuses on how to use the statistics on certain subject. For example: data collection, data analysis, test of significance of data, etc.
4. Operational design: Operational design deals with techniques by which the procedures are satisfied in sampling. It deals with the entire plan/ design of the research design.
