Research design for college/university students

The primary function of having a research design is to ensure evidence obtained can help you address the research problem effectively and unambiguously. Obtaining evidence in social science research related to the problem, which involves specifying the evidence type to test the theory. However, students can start their investigations early before they have the information to answer their study’s research question.

Different types of research design

The best design is unbiased and provides accurate information. Therefore, it is important to have a design that fits all the main characteristics of a good one: reliability, validity, neutrality, and generalization.
Therefore, students will have several types of design to choose from to fit their research needs. Similar to your research, research designs are broadly categorised into two classes: qualitative and quantitative. However, you can break down further these designs into smaller categories, including:

Descriptive research design

In this type of design, the student is only interested in case or situation description under the research study. It is a method based on the theory developed by analysing, gathering, and presenting already collected data. Therefore, it helps a student offer how and why insight into the research.

Experimental research design

This design tries to create a relationship between the effect and cause of the situation. Experimental design is casual in that the student needs to observe the independent variable impacts on the dependent variable. For example, the research can monitor price (independent variable) on brand loyalty or customer satisfaction (dependent variable).

The fact that it helps solve at-hand problems makes it a highly practical design for students. It is mostly used to analyse the behaviour of two groups in social science research.

Correlational research design

It is a non-experimental design technique that will help students establish a relationship between closely related variables. Correlation design requires the use of two different groups. There should be no assumption when evaluating the two different variables’ relationship. The student will use statistical analysis to calculate any relations between the groups.

A correlation coefficient is used to determine the relationship between the two variables between +1 and -1. A correlation coefficient leaning toward +1 means it is a positive relationship, and -1 indicates a negative relationship.

Explanatory research design

This design will tend to use student’s thoughts and ideas on the topic to further explore the theory in play. The student will explain all the unexplored aspects of the topic and explain how, why, and what of the research questions.

Diagnostic

In this design, the student aims to evaluate the phenomenon or specific topic’s underlying causes. The diagnostic design will help the student to learn more about troublesome creating factors in a certain situation. The three parts involved include:

• Issue inception
• Issue diagnosis
• Solution

How to create a research design

Creating a design means that you decide on many things, including sources, participants, data type you need, and research location. To have a perfect design, you need to follow some simple and effective steps.

Considering your practicalities and priorities

There is more than one design to choose from in most research problems. A student’s choice will entirely depend on priorities and trade-offs in the research – a design can be strong in one area but weak in another.

Determining the data type you need.

Since you already have the research type you want to do considering your research questions and problem statement, you only have two choices you can use to start: primary and secondary data and qualitative and quantitative data.

Choosing a data collection method

You need to know where, when, and how to collect data once you have the data to use. Therefore, the student needs to determine the methods that include procedures, techniques, specific tools, and materials. Also, you need to decide the criteria to select sources and participants.

Deciding how to analyse data

Data analysis is important to answer your research questions. Therefore, you can choose between quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques for an effective problem-solving process.

Writing your research proposal

Design is an important part of your thesis proposal or dissertation. It helps to show your supervisor that the project can answer the research questions and it is practically feasible. The research proposal simply describes how you plan to do the project and what you are planning to do.

Examples

A good example of research design is how researchers are working to find the cure for HIV/AIDS. Also, the research design in the information that university students research for their final project report forms a good example.