This document discusses research design and provides an overview of different types of research designs including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods designs. It defines key aspects of research design such as causality, validity, and bias. It also explains different categories of designs like experimental, quasi-experimental, descriptive, correlational, and qualitative designs as well as features of each. The document provides examples of specific designs like randomized control trials, time series, case studies and tips for choosing an appropriate research design.

1. RESEARCH DESIGNS: A
Major tool in Research
Method
Dr.Sasikumar.S. M.Phil (N) PhD(N)
Professor
Yenepoya Nursing College
Yenepoya Deemed to be University
Mangalore

2. Learning Objectives
• Define research design
• Understand the Characteristics of
good design
• Know the common terminology
• Choose most appropriate design
• Identify and explain the different
categories and sub-categories of
research design

3. RESEARCH
Research is a scientific and
systematic process to discover the
new facts and establishes the
relationship between two or more
facts

4. What is a research design?
Overall plan
Testing the research hypotheses.
The blueprint/ roadmap

5. Characteristics of good design
• Appropriateness to the research question.
• Lack of bias.
• Precision.
• Power.

6. Common terminology
Inference
Reliability
Validity
Bias
Randomization
Manipulation
Control
Causality

7. Common terminology
Credibility
Transfereability
Confirmability
Dependability Trustworthiness
Authenticity
Reflexivity

8. Threats to Internal and External
validity
History
Testing
Instrumentation
Selection
Mortality
Hawthorne effect
Novelty
Setting

9. Types of research design
QUANTITATIVE QUALITATIVE MIXED
METHOD
Experimental Non-
Experimental
Phenomenological
Ethnographic
Grounded
Case study
Action research
Historical
Triangulation
Embedded
Explanatory
Exploratory
True experimental
Quasi-
experimental
Pre experimental
Descriptive
Correlational
Cross sectional
Cohort
Case control
Other types
Meta-analysis Evaluation
research
Outcome research
Secondary data
analysis
Implementation
research
Survey research

10. Ask yourself before choosing
the design
Any intervention should be tested?
What are all the methods to control
confounding variables?
Is blinding required?
Timing needed for data collection?
Comparisons required?
Where should I collect the data?

11. Key features of Quantitative
design
Causality
Extraneous variable
Control
Internal and external validity
Research hypothesis
Probability sampling
Generalization

12. Key features of Qualitative
design
Understand wholistic view of issues
Non probability sampling
Data collection in natural settings
Individualistic phenomenon

13. Key features of Mixed method
Confirm the facts
Practicality
Enhanced validity

14. EXERIMENTAL DESIGN
Suitable for testing cause-and-effect
relationship
Characteristics
Manipulation
Control
Randomization

15. Types of true experimental design
Basic true experimental design
Before after design or pretest –posttest cont.
group design
(R-O1 X O2)
(R-O1 – O2)
Chair, S.Y., Taylor-piliae, R.E., Lam, G.
(2003). Effects of positioning on back pain
after coronary angiography. Journal of
advanced nursing, 42(5):470-478.

16. Solomon four group design
Group Date collection
Before After
Experimental –
with pretest
X X
Experimental –
without pretest
- X
Control-with
pretest
X X
Control-without
pretest
- X
Cousineau T., Green T., Corsini E. (2008). Online psycho
educational support for infertile women: a randomized controlled
trial. Human Reproduction, 2008 Mar; 23(3):554-66.

17. Factorial design
Types of stimulation Auditing tactile
A1 A2
Ko C., Koh CK.(2007).The influence of abuse situation and
respondent background characteristics on Korean nurses'
perceptions of child sexual abuse. International journal of
nursing study, 44(7):1165-76.
A1 B1 A2 B1
A1 B2 A2 B2
A1 B3 A2 B3
15min B1
Daily exposures
45m B3
30min B2

18. Repeated measures design/
cross over design
Tested for multiple conditions over time or under
different conditions
Koong,S.(1997).The comparison of continuous
versus intermittent sucking in very low birth
infants. Journal of Gynecology and Neonatal
Nursing, 26: 313-319.

19. Randomized clinical trials
Michael R Perkin , Kirsty Logan , Anna Tseng , Bunmi Raji , Salma
Ayis and Janet Peacock et al Randomized Trial of Introduction of
Allergenic Foods in Breast-Fed Infants. The New England journal of
Medicine. 2016 May 5;374(18):1733-43.

20. Quasi Experimental Design
some characteristic of true experiment
is lacking either control or
randomization.
• it used to test cause and effect
relationship
• it is usually exposed to the subject
contamination.

21. QUASI, EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
Non equivalent control group designs
1.Non equivalent control group pre-test post –test
design
(Quasi experimental)
O1 X O2
O1 - O2
2. Non equivalent control group post test only design
(Pre experimental)
X O
O
Chou,K., Hsin. (2002).The effects of support groups on
caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. International
Journal of Nursing Studies, 39,713-722

22. Time series designs
Types
1. Time series design (Quasi –experimental)
O1 O2 O3 O4 X O5 O6 O7 O8
2. Time series non-equivalent control group design (quasi-
experimental)
O1 O2 O3 O4 X O5 O6 O7 O8
O1 O2 O3 O4 - O5 O6 O7 O8
3. Time series with intensified treatment (quasi-
experimental)
O1 O2 X O3 O4 X+1 O5 O6 X+2 O7 O8
4. Time series with withdrawn and reinstituted treatment
(quasi-experimental)
O1 O2 X O3 O4 (–X) O5 O6 X O7 O8

23. Interrupted time series design
Chen,K.M., Chen,T. (2006). The effects of simplified tai- chi
exercise program (STEP) on the physical health of older
adults living in long term care facility. International Journal of
Nursing Studies, 45(3):501-507.
• Three pretest one month apart; four posttest at
one month, two month, three months, and six
months after intervention started.
• The fifty one older adults were recruited
through convenience sampling. The STEP was
implemented three times a week, fifty minutes per
session for six months.

24. Counter balanced design
GROUP TIME1 TIME 2 TIME 3 TIME 4
A X1 O X2 O X3 O X4 O
B X2 O X4 O X1 O X3 O
C X3 O X1 O X4 O X2 O
D X4 O X3 O X2 O X1 O

25. Pre experimental design
One group pretest post test design
O1 x O2
Warrington,D., Cholowski,K., &Peters,D.(2003).Effectiveness of home
based cardiac rehabilitation for special needs patients. Journal of
Advanced Nursing, 41 (2):121-129.
One group posttest only design
----- x O2
Swift, K., Janke, J. (2003).investigate the difference in breast symptoms
between breast binding and support bra wearing in non breast
feeding postpartum mothers in south central hospital, United States.
Journal of Gynecology and Neonatal Nursing, 32, (3):332-339.

26. NON EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
DESCRIPTIVE
No manipulation variable is involved
Some studies contain two variable, others
may include multiple variables.
Use of this design is to search for accurate
information about the characteristics of
particular subject, group, and event or
about the frequency of the phenomena.

27. Correlational design
• examine relationships between or
among two or more variables in a
single group
• doesn’t test the cause and effect
relationship
correlation between age and
knowledge

28. Qualitative study
Phenomenological- to assess the
lived experience
Ethnographic – assess the culture
Grounded- to develop the theory
based on information
Action research- collaborative
involvement by researcher and

29. Qualitative study..
Case study- In depth study about the
individual, group, event etc..,
Historical- to study about past events

30. Mixed method design
Triangulation
Embedded

31. Tips on designing research
Make a written list of the pros and cons of
each
Balance a number of considerations, such
as time, cost, ethical issues and the
integrity of the study.

32. Tips ………….
Anticipate alternative findings
consider whether design adjustments
might affect the results.
Seek the advice of research experts in
deciding the design
Write out a rationale for your choices

33. CONCLUSION
A research design is a master plan
It provides the scheme for answering
research question(s).
It maintains control to avoid bias