Research design By Dr.Ali Almesrawi asst. professor Ph.D

DEFINE – QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH  It is a formal, objective, systematic process in which numerical data is utilized to obtain information about the world  It is a method used to describe variables, examine relationships among variables, and determine cause- and-effect interaction between variables

Meaning of research design A research design is one that minimizes bias and maximizes the reliability of the data. It also yields maximum information, gives minimum experimental error, and provides different aspects of a single problem. A research design depends on the purpose and nature of the research problem. Thus, one single design cannot be used to solve all types of research problem, i.e., a particular design is suitable for a particular problem.

Involves decisions:  Will there be an intervention?  What types of comparison will be made?  What procedures will be used to control extraneous variables?  When and how many times will data be collected from study participants?  In what setting will the study occur?

Designs & Major Features: =Control over the “independent variable” (a) Experimental (b) Quasi-experimental (c) Non-experimental =Number of “data collection points” (a) Cross-sectional (b) Longitudinal

=Occurrence of “independent and dependent variable” (a) Retrospective (b) Prospective (c) Descriptive =Setting (a) Naturalistic (b) Laboratory

Features of a good research design  The means of obtaining information  The availability and skills of the researcher and his staff, if any;  The objective of the problem to be studied;  The nature of the problem; and  The availability of time and money for the research work.  It should be flexible enough to consider different aspects of the study in case of exploratory.  The design should be accurate with minimum bias in case of accurate description

Characteristics of good design Appropriateness to the research question Lack of bias Precision الدقة Power Tips on designing research Make a written list of the pros and cons ايجابيات وسلبيات of each Balance a number of considerations, such as time, cost, ethical issues and the integrity نزاهة / سلامةof the study. Anticipate alternative findings and 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 one you have made your design decisions.

Exploratory research design It is a type of research conducted for a problem, but the problem itself has not been clearly understood. In other words, exploratory research is a process of gathering facts and doing research that later allows for the team to create the best research design or data collection method available for specific subjects. This process will draw definitive conclusions only with caution due to the nature of the process. In many cases, this process leads to the understanding that no problem actually exists. Exploratory research is guided by a set of hypotheses 1) Operational definition 2) Statistical testing

Descriptive research design Descriptive research design is a type of research method that is used when one wants to get information on the current status of a person or an object. It is used to describe what is in existence in respect to conditions or variables that are found in a given situation. Any study that is not truly experimental.” Descriptive studies can involve a one-time interaction with groups of people or a study might follow individuals over time

Purpose - To observe, describe and document aspects of situation as it naturally occurs - To serve as a starting point of for hypothesis generation or theory development.

Diagnostic research design Diagnostic research studies determine the frequency of occurrence of something or its association with something else. From the research design point of view, the design of such studies should be rigid and should focus on the following: 1) Objective of the study (what the study is about and why is it being made?) 2) Methods of data collection (what techniques of data collection will be adopted?) 3) Sample selection (how much material will be needed?) 4) Data collection (where the required data can be found and with what time frequency should the data be related?) 5) Data processing and analysis 6) Reporting the findings

Experimental research design Experimental studies, also known as Hypothesis- testing research studies: an experiment is a study in which a treatment, procedure, or program is intentionally introduced and a result or outcome is observed. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines an experiment as “A test under controlled conditions that is made to demonstrate a known truth, to examine the validity of a hypothesis, or to determine the efficacy of something previously untried.”

True experiments have four elements: 1) manipulation 2) control 3) random assignment and 4) random selection. The most important of these elements are manipulation and control. Manipulation means that something is purposefully changed by the researcher in the environment. Control is used to prevent outside factors from influencing the study outcome

Characteristics of true experiments: Manipulation – Involves doing something to at least one group of subjects Control – Refers to a group of subjects without any manipulation Randomization – involves the Placement of subjects in groups on a random basis

Non Experimental Research Reasons for under taking non-experimental research in nursing oHuman characteristics are inherently not subject to experimental manipulation (eg. blood type personality etc) and the effects of these characteristics on some phenomenon of interest cannot be studied experimentally. oFor ethical reasons. oNot practical to conduct a true experiment oExperimental design is not appropriate to some research questions