The document outlines the definition and importance of research design, describing it as the arrangement of conditions for data collection and analysis. It categorizes research design into sampling, observational, statistical, and operational designs and distinguishes three main types: exploratory, descriptive, and causal research. Additionally, it highlights essential features of good research designs and key concepts such as variables and hypothesis-testing.

1. RESEARCH DESIGN
KUSHAL KUMAR
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
DEPT. OF PHARMACOLOGY
ISF COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
WEBSITE: - WWW.ISFCP.ORG
EMAIL:KUSHAL1KUMAR@GMAIL.COM
ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga
Ghal Kalan, GT Road, Moga- 142001, Punjab, INDIA
Internal Quality Assurance Cell - (IQAC)

2. Research Design: Definition
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 with economy in procedure.
It is a conceptual structure within which research is conducted; it constitutes the blueprint for the collection,
measurement and analysis of data.
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Research Design: Definition
It contains the information regarding:
What is the study about?
Why is the study being made?
Where will the study being 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 analysed?
In what style will the report be prepared?

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Research Design: Categories
Overall, there may be four categories:
 The sampling design – method of selecting items to be observed
for the given study.
 The observational design – relates to conditions under which
the observations are to be made.
 The statistical design – concerns with the analysis of gathered
data.
 The operational design – deals with the techniques to carry out
above three steps.

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Features of a Good Research Design
 Flexible
 Appropriate
 Efficient
 Accurate
 Economical
 Minimises the biasness
 Maximises the reliability of the result

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Types of Research Design
• Three traditional categories:
– Exploratory
– Descriptive
– Causal
• The choice of the most appropriate design depends largely on the objectives of the research and how much
is known about the problem and research objectives.

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Basic Research Objectives and Research Design
Research Objective Appropriate Design
 To gain background information, Exploratory
to define terms, to clarify
problems and hypotheses, to
establish research priorities
 To describe and measure a Descriptive
phenomena at a point in time
 To determine causality, Causal
to make “if-then” statements

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1. Exploratory Research Design
 Exploratory research is most commonly unstructured, informal research that is undertaken to gain background
information about the general nature of the research problem.
 By unstructured, we mean there is no formal set of objectives, sample plan, or questionnaire.
 It is usually conducted when the researcher does not know much about the problems.
 Exploratory research is usually conducted at the outset of research projects.
 The major emphasis is on the discovery of ideas and insights.

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Exploratory Research Design
 Uses
Gain Background Information
Define Terms
Clarify Problems and Hypothesis (refine research objectives)
Establish Research Priorities
 Generally, following three methods are used in this case:
a) Survey of concerning literature
b) Experience Survey
c) Analysis of insight-stimulating examples

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Continue…
a) The survey of concerning literature:
 simple method of developing hypothesis
 hypothesis stated by earlier researchers may be reviewed
 if the hypotheses have not been formulated yet then the task would be to review the literature and
formulate relevant hypotheses
b) The Experience Survey:
 means the survey of people who have had practical experience with the problem to be studied
 the respondents should also be allowed to raise issues and questions
 time taking process, so it would be better if a copy of questions to be discussed with the respondents is
sent to him well in advance

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Continue…
c) Analysis of “insight-stimulating” examples:
 suitable for relatively unexplored area of study
 no clear cut answer for what sort of examples should be selected
 in general, cases that provide sharp contrasts or having
striking features are considered

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2. Descriptive/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 is associated with something else.
 Descriptive research is undertaken to describe answers to questions of who, what, where, when, and how.
 Descriptive research is desirable when we wish to project a study’s findings to a larger population, if the
study’s sample is representative.

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 Cross-sectional studies
 Longitudinal studies
 Panel Studies
a) Cross-sectional studies measure units from a sample of the population at only one point in time.
 Sample surveys: are cross-sectional studies whose samples are drawn in such a way as to be representative
of a specific population.
 These studies are usually presented with a margin of error.
 Cross-sectional studies take “snapshots” of the population at a point in time.
Three basic classifications:

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b) Longitudinal studies repeatedly measure the same sample units of a population over time.
 Longitudinal studies often make use of a panel which represents sample units who have agreed to
answer questions at periodic intervals.
 Many large research firms maintain panels of consumers.
Continue…

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Difference between Exploratory and Descriptive
Research Design
Research Design Exploratory/Formulative Descriptive/Diagnostic
Overall Design Flexible – provide opportunity
for considering diff aspects of
the problem
Rigid – enough provision for
protection against biasness,
must maximise reliability
Sampling Design Non-probability sampling design Probability sampling design
(random)
Statistical Design No pre-planned design Pre-planned design
Observational Design Unstructured instruments for
collection of data
Structured instruments for
collection of data
Operational Design No fixed decision about the
operational procedures
Advanced decision about
operational procedures

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Important Concepts Related to Research Design
 Dependent and independent variables
 Extraneous variables
 Control
 Confound relationship
 Research hypothesis
 Experimental and non-experimental hypothesis-testing research
 Experimental and control group
 Treatments
 Experiments
 Experimental units

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3. Hypothesis-Testing Research Design
Also known as Experimental studies.
 Researcher tests the hypotheses of causal relationship between variables.
 Well laid-down procedures has to be followed.
 The concept was developed by R. A. Fisher based on his research on agriculture.

18. Thank you
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