Research design is the framework of research methods and techniques chosen by a researcher to conduct a study.

1. Research Design
Dr Vandana Gaur
Associate Professor
Department of Psychology

2. “Research is one percent inspiration and the balance is
dedicated hard work for contributing to existing
Knowledge”.
• Introduction
Research is gods given opportunity to a person to
grow academically with the help of modern knowledge by
following new methods. It is a rare providential privilege
offered to find truth and add to existing knowledge.
Research makes a person a perfect individual to enable to
contribute to the development of knowledge and society.

3. What is Research
Redman and Mory define research as a “Systematized effort gain new
knowledge”. Research is an original contribution to the present known
knowledge helping for its advancement. In broad term the research refers to
systematic method involving explanation of the problem, formulating a
hypothesis, collecting the facts or data, analyzing the facts and arriving at
certain conclusions either in the form of solution as relating to the problem
studied or in some generalizations for some theoretical formulation. Design and
plan leads to unknown difficulties and failure in the task assigned or taken up.
In research the student should have a plan of his own guided by the learned
supervisor. A blueprint for the collection, measurement and analysis of data.

4. II Forms of design
1. The sampling design
2. The observational design
3. The statistical design
4. The operational design
The design should contain a clean statement of the
problem of research, procedures and techniques. Without
proper research design (project), the entire research exercise
will be futile. The proper design helps the researcher to
complete work overcoming cost and budget constraints usually
encountered by a scholar. A good design minimizes bias and
maximizes the reliability of data collected and analyzed.

5. Good design depends upon the objective of
research problem and also the nature of the problem
studied.
a) Means of collecting information
b) The skills of the researcher
c) The objective of the problem studied
d) The nature of the problem studied and
e) The availability of time and budget

6. III Some relevant concepts
In the context of research design, some relevant concepts
have been popularized.
a) Dependent and Independent Variables:
A concept or an item which can take or be given
quantitative values is called a variable. For eg. Concepts like
weight, height, income are termed as variables. If one variable
depends upon or is a consequence of other variable it is called
a dependent variable and the variable that is antecedent to the
dependent variable is termed as an independent variable; eg,
height dependent upon age, here height is dependent and age
is an independent variable.

7. b) Extraneous Variables:
Independent variables not related to the purpose of the
study, but may affect dependent variable are called extraneous
variables eg, intelligence may affect the social studies
achievement, but it is not related to the purpose of the study of the
research scholar.
c) Control:
It refers to the ways to minimize the effects of extraneous
variable.
d) Confound Relationship:
When the dependent variable is not free from the influence
of extraneous variable.

8. e) Research Hypothesis:
If a researcher wants to test the prediction or a
hypothetical relationship through scientific methods it is
called as research hypothesis.
f) Experimental and Non-Experimental Hypothesis
Testing:
It is the purpose of the research to test the hypothesis.
g) Experimental and Control Groups:
Control group is exposed to usual conditions,
experimental groups are exposed to special conditions.

9. h) Treatments:
The different conditions under which experimental and
control groups are put are called as treatments eg,
fertilizers on the yields of wheat.
i) Experiment:
The method of examining the truth of a statistical
hypothesis, formulated in these is called as an experiment.
j) Experimental Units:
The predetermined plots or the blocks where different
treatments are used, then it is called as experimental
units.

10. IV Types of Research Designs:
1. Exploratory Research Studies
2. Descriptive and Diagnostic Research Studies and
3. Hypothesis Testing Research Studies.
Such studies emphasize on discovery of ideas and insights.
a. Survey of Concerning Literature
b. Experience Survey and
c. The Analysis of Insight – Stimulating
Descriptive studies emphasis on the description of Characteristics of a
particular person or of a group, but diagnostic research studies relate to
fixing the frequency. These are called experimental studies to reduce bias
and increase reliability. Eg, agricultural operations like treatment, yield, plot,
block etc.

11. V Research Plan
The researcher to obtain the desired results, must prepare a research
plan which is a frame-work for the research work / study being undertaken.
1. Objective
2. The problem
3. Concepts
4. Assumptions
5. Defects of techniques
6. Population to be studied
7. Processing the data
8. Presentation of thesis

12. Research Linkage with Quality Output:
Higher the quality of research in our institution, higher is the regard
reputation and recognition given to it and vice-versa. It also depends on
teaching, consultancy and research. According to Dr. Manmohan Singh,
Indians are shining and prospering well in foreign lands as giant steel –
manufacturers (Lakshmi Mittal, Tatas) and outstanding entrepreneurs
(Swaraj Paul), but they fail to do their best in India which needed to be
studied and solutions found in making India a great Nation by 2020 in the
World. China has made concerted efforts to upgrade its elite Institutions
to World Class Centers of Excellence. For eg. Beijing University Ranked
14th in the World and Tsinghua 28th. Globalisation is also an opportunity
to make the quality of research in the Universities reach a very high
standard for the benefit of India’s economy and its’ people.

13. VI Conclusion:
Research in general leads to finding truth. Hence the research
in such sciences is more of perspiration (99%) and less of
inspiration (one percent). Research was undertaken by persons
with committed zeal and dedication, but now it is undertaken as a
chance and as a last resort, with least commitment through with the
aim to obtain immediate benefit.
Research Scholar who plunges into research should take all
risks, difficulties into his / her stride and come out successful with
the research degree whose findings be useful to society in solving
the problems of society, particularly poverty, unemployment,
injustice, imbalances, besides contributing to growth trajectory of a
Nation.