Research Design Methodologies eBook PDF

Research design is the plan, the structure and strategy of investigation conceived so as to obtain answers to research questions and to control variance, (Kerlinger, 2004). It is quite important for any researcher to have an idea what type of data he/she expects to collect and even how such information, (data) will be manipulated in order to come up with the expected finding of his research.

The research questions or problem statements will be the best guide as to the appropriateness of the research design and the methodology the researcher will follow in the study. Research designs are used to enable the researcher answer questions as validly, objectively, accurately and economically as possible. Any research plan is deliberately and specifically conceived and executed to bring about empirical evidence to bear on the research problem.

The researcher might find that instead of the study dictating only quantitative research design methodologies, some of its parts might also be calling up some qualitative design due to various techniques applied in data collection and manipulation. Or the researcher may find himself/herself using both methodologies (multi-method).