1. Johan Mouton & Cornel Hart 2006 & 2007
RESEARCH DESIGN
Johan Mouton & Cornel Hart
2006 & 2007

2. Research Design & Maximising Validity
Good research is well-designed research
Researchers often confuse research design (which is a matter of the logic of evidence) and research Methodology (which is a matter of HOW on gathers and analyses evidence
……… The ProDEC framework

3. Distinction between “research design” & research methodology
Research design LINKS the RESEARCH QUESTION to RESEARCH EVIDENCE in a logical way
Designing research is about:
Asking research questions in such a way that it is clear what KIND of evidence WILL answer that question adequately
Understanding how RESEARCH DESIGN Types differ from each in i.t.o. their different DESIGN LOGICS.
The methodology of science: Principles of the construction of the most valid evidence: How to collect analyse & interpret evidence as dictated by the design

4. RESEARCH PROBLEM/ QUESTION
The ProDEC Framework
IDEA
RESEARCH PROBLEM/ QUESTION
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research conclusion
RESEARCH PROCESS
Methodology

5. Designing research
Decision to undertake study Research & funding context Rationale/motivation for research
Define research problem Identify unit of analysis Define research aims & objectives
Select appropriate design Use research design map: Surveys, case studies, life histories, etc.
Implement design Sampling, instrumentation, data collection, analysis, reporting

6. Designing for maximal validity
Formulate research question
Select design type which is appropriate / most likely to answer the research question
Identify most common sources of error inherent to the design type
Apply appropriate methodological strategies to minimize error
Execute design

7. The Logic of Scientific Inquiry
A research study is about constructing an (extended) argument
The aim is to argue for a particular point of view/position
The reader is persuaded of the soundness of the argument if the following conditions are met:
The premises on which the conclusions are based (the evidence) is judged to be the best available evidence (the evidence is robust)
The conclusions are supported strongly by the evidence
The conclusions address a clearly articulated and (theoretically) relevant research question

8. Empirical & Non-Empirical Studies
WORLD 2: WORLD OF SCIENCE
Non-empirical
Body of knowledge/ scholarship
Empirical studies
WORLD 1: EVERYDAY LIFE
Social world: Individual human beings; action & events, organisations, institutions, interventions, collectives & social objects Physical world: plans, animals, atomic and subatomic particles

9. Research Designs Explanation Low control High control Description
Laboratory experiments
Field experiments
Modelling & simulation studies
Surveys
Low control
High control
Programme evaluation studies
Ethnographic studies
Participatory action research
Laboratory experiments
Description