It is a conceptual structure within which research is constituted It is a blueprint for collection, measurement and analysis of data.

Outline of what researcher will do from writing hypothesis and its operational implications to final analysis of data.

arrangement of conditions for collection and

analysis of data in a manner that aims to combine relevance to research purpose with economy in procedure.

What is the study about? Why this study is 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 it include? What will be the sample design? What techniques of data collection will be used? How data analysis be done? In what style will the report be prepared?

Sampling Design(method to select items to be observed for study) Observational Design(Conditions under which observations are to be made) Statistical Design(How many items to be observed and how information and data collected will be analysed) Operational Design(Techniques by which sampling, observational and statistical research design be carried out)


a) b) c)

EXPLORATORY RESEARCH STUDIES

Literature Survey

Experience Survey
Analysis of Insight Stimulating examples

Formulate objectives of study

Design methods of data collection

Selecting the sample

Data collection Processing & Analysing data Report findings

DIFFERENCE
RESEARCH DESIGN EXPLORATORY DESIGN DESCRIPTIVE/DIA GNOSTIC DESIGN Rigid Design(design must make enough provisions for protection against bias and must maximise reliabilty Probability sampling design(random sampling) Pre-planned design for analysis Structured or well planned instrument for data collection

OVERALL DESIGN

Flexible design(It must provide opportunity to consider different aspects of problem)

1) Sampling Design

Non - Probability sampling design(purposive or judgemental sampling)

2) Statistical Design No pre-planned design for analysis

3) Observational Design

Unstructured instruments for data collection

Operational Design

No fixed decisions about operational

Advanced decisions about operational

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