Research Design
Chapter 4: Assignment
What is it ?
• It is the detailed plan of an investigation.
• It is the conceptual structure within which
the research is conducted .
• It constitutes the blue print for the
collection, measurement and analysis of data.
• Answers the questions of
What – Why – Where – When etc.
Components of Research Methodology
• Purpose of the study
• Type of Investigation
• Extent of Researcher Interference
• Study setting
• Unit of Analysis
• Time Horizon
Purpose of the Study
• Exploratory Study
• Descriptive Study
• Case study analysis
Studies may be either exploratory in nature or
descriptive, or may be conducted to test
hypothesis or it can be a case study
Exploratory Study
• Preliminary study of an
unfamiliar problem
Eg.
1) Finding Mermaids
2) Preliminary market study
Descriptive Study
• A fact finding investigation
which is aimed at describing
the characteristics of
individual, situation or a
group or describing the state
of affairs as it exists at
present
Descriptive Study & Hypothesis testing
• Marketing Manager wants to
know if sales of the company
will increase if he doubles
advertising dollars
Ha: If advertising increased, then
sales will also go up
Ha: There is no relationship
between advertising and sales
Case Study Analysis
• Involves in-depth,
contextual
analysis of a given subject
• Case
studies are generally
qualitative in nature and are
sometimes used as a tool in
managerial decision making
Type of Investigation
Causal vs. Correlational
Causal study is done when
its necessary to establish a
definitive cause and effect
relationship
Type of Investigation
Causal vs. Correlational
Correlational study is when
the researcher is interested
in describing the important
variables associated with
the problem.
Extent of Researcher Interference
• Minimal Interference
• Moderate Interference
• Excessive Interference
Extent of Researcher Interference
• In causal research the researcher is likely to have
more interference
• A correlational study is conducted in the natural
environment of the organisation with minimum
interference by the researcher with the normal
flow work.
Study setting
• Contrived
• Non-contrived
Non-Contrived Study setting
• Organizational research conducted in the
natural environment where work proceeds are
normal.
• Both correlational and casual studies can be
done in Non -contrived settings .
• Correlatioanl studies are normally carried out in
non - contrived settings .
• Correlational studies done in organizations are
called “ Field Studies.”
Contrived Study setting
• Experiments done to establish cause -
and - effect relationship beyond the
possibility of the least doubt require
the creation of an artificial, contrived
environment in which all the
irrelevant factors are strictly controlled .
• These kinds of studies are called as
“Lab experiments”.
• Excessive researcher interference .
Unit of Analysis
• Individuals
• Dyads
• Groups
• Organisations
• Culture
Data Collection
• Cross-sectional
• Longitudinal studies