2. Definition
“Experimental design is the blueprint of
the procedures that enable the researcher
to test hypotheses by reaching valid
conclusions about relationships between
independent and dependent variables” –
John W Best & James V Kahn (2003)
3. Research design –Nature &
Purpose
Research design is the detailed plan of investigation; the
blueprint of the detailed procedures of testing the
hypotheses and analyzing the obtained results.
Any research plan is deliberately and specifically conceived
and carried out to give empirical evidence to the problem
under investigation.
Any research design sets up the framework for adequate
tests of the relations among variables.
It is from a design, the researcher can infer what
observations need to be made upon the variables, how to
make them, and how to analyze the quantitative data
gathered about the variables and observations, how to
interpret the findings, and what conclusions to draw.
4. Purpose
The purpose is to provide maximum amount of
information relevant to the problem under
investigation
The basic purpose of research design is to
Maximize experimental variance
Control extraneous variance
Minimize error variance, and therefore
Provide unambiguous results and avoid
confounding
5. FUNCTION
A good research design will answer research
questions as objectively, validly, accurately,
and economically as possible.
It will suggests the researcher the manner in
which to collect data, control variables,
manner of manipulation, use of right
statistical analysis based on the context of the
study.
Controls,v0riables: a good design also acts as
a control mechanism and enables the
researcher to control unwanted variances.
