1. RESEARCH DESIGN

2. RESEARCH DESIGN Decisions regarding what, where, when, how much
A research design
the arrangement of conditions for collection and analysis of data in a manner that aims to combine relevance to the research purpose with economy in procedure.

3. The designing decisions happen to be in respect of:
What is the study about?
Why is the study being made?
Where will the study be 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 analyzed?
In what style will the report be prepared?

4. Research design refers to the blue print/road map for the collection, measurement & analysis of data

5. Split the overall research design into the following parts:
(a) sampling design
the method of selecting items to be observed;
(b) observational design
the conditions under which the observations are to be made;
(c) statistical design
how the information and data gathered are to be analyzed;
(d) operational design
the techniques

6. The important features of a research design
(i) a plan
specifies the sources & types of information relevant to the research problem
(ii) a strategy
which approach will be used for gathering and analyzing the data.
(iii) the time and cost budgets
most studies are done under these two constraints

7. Need for Research Design:
It facilitates the smooth sailing of the various research operations
Makes research as efficient as possible
Yielding maximum information with minimal expenditure of effort, time and money
Increases reliability of the results

8. Important Concepts relating to research:
Variables:
A concept which can take on different quantitative values
Qualitative phenomena (or the attributes) are also quantified
Eg: Weight, height and income…

9. Important concepts Cont’d
Continuous variable
Variable expressed using Decimal points
Discrete (non-continuous) variable
Variable Expressed using integer variables

10. Important concepts Cont’d
Dependent variable
Is a variable which depends upon or is a consequence of the other variable
Independent variable
Antecedent to the dependent variable
Eg: compressive strength of concrete
flexural strength of RC beam

11. Important concepts Cont’d
Extraneous variable:
Independent variables that are not related to the purpose of the study, but may affect the dependent variable
Eg: Effect of w/c on fck
Whatever effect is noticed on dependent variable as a result of extraneous variable(s) is technically described as an ‘experimental error’.

12. Important concepts Cont’d
Control:
design to minimize the influence or effect of extraneous variable(s).
Confounded relationship:
When the dependent variable is not free from the influence of extraneous variable(s)
the relationship between the dependent and independent variables is said to be confounded/confused by an extraneous variable(s).

13. Important concepts Cont’d
Research Hypothesis:
Predictive statement
Relates the independent variable to a dependent variable
Relationship that are assumed but not to be tested, are not termed research hypothesis

14. Important concepts Cont’d
Experimental and non-experimental hypothesis-testing research:
Experimental: a research where the independent variable is manipulated

15. Important concepts Cont’d
Experimental and control group
Control group: exposed to usual condition
Experimental group: exposed some novel or special condition
Eg:CJ

16. Important concepts Cont’d
Treatment:
The different conditions under which experimental and control groups are put
Usual condition
Special condition

17. DIFFERENT RESEARCH DESIGNS
Research design in case of exploratory research studies
Research design in case of descriptive and diagnostic research studies
Research design in case of hypothesis testing

19. Basic principles of Experimental designs
The principle of replication
The principle of randomization
The principle of local control

20. Repeated more than once To increase statistical accuracy
Replication
Repeated more than once
To increase statistical accuracy

21. Randomization
Provides protection against the effect of extraneous factors

22. Local control
Extraneous factor is made to vary deliberately over as wide a range as necessary
The variability it causes can be measured and hence eliminated from the experimental error
Total variability…attributed(treatment + extraneous + experimental error)

23. Important Experimental Designs:
Informal experimental design
Formal Experimental design

24. Informal Experimental Design:
Use less sophisticated form of analysis based on differences in magnitudes.
Types:
Before-and-after without control design.
After-only with control design.
Before-and-after with control design.

25. Formal Experimental Design:
More control
Uses precise statistical procedures for analysis
Types:
Completely randomized design (C.R. Design).
Randomized block design (R.B. Design).
Latin square design (L.S. Design).
Factorial designs.