UNIT 3MEANING OF RESEARCH DESIGN

The formidable problem that follows the task of defining the research problem is the preparation of the design ofthe research project, popularly known as the “research design”. Decisions regarding what, where, when, how much, by what means concerning an inquiry or a research study constitute a research design. “A research design is 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.”1In fact, the research design is the conceptual structure within which research is conducted; it constitutes the blueprint for the collection, measurement and analysis of data. As such the design includes an outline of what the researcher will do from writing the hypothesis and its operational implications to the final analysis of data. More explicitly, the design decisions happen to be in respect of:(i) What is the study about?(ii) Why is the study being made?(iii) Where will the study be carried out?(iv) What type of data is required?(v) Where can the required data be found?(vi) What periods of time will the study include?(vii) What will be the sample design?(viii) What techniques of data collection will be used?(ix) How will the data be analyzed?(x) In what style will the report be prepared?

THE RESEARCH DESIGN CAN BE SPLIT INTO FOLLOWING GROUPS OF ACTIVITIES.

— here in step 1 we select the no: of possible ways/methods to find the problem called sample design

— in step 2 we identify the conditions under which observation are made called observational design

— here in step 1 we select the no: of possible ways/methods to find the problem called sample design

— Step 3 gathering the date ,knowing source of data and analyzed what We gathered called statistical design

— in step 4 identified the techniques for carrying out the proceeding state called operational design

NEED OF RESEARCH DESIGN

— To ensure smooth function of research operations

— As we observed in all above steps. All the steps are necessary and helping how to get result

— So every step/RD helps to achieve better results

— A good RD should be flexible, appropriate, efficient, and economy.

FEATURES OF A GOOD DESIGN:

— the design which minimises bias and maximises the reliability of the data collected and analysed is considered a good design

— One single design cannot serve the purpose of all types of research problems

RESEARCH DESIGN USUALLY INVOLVES CONSIDERING THE FOLLOWING FACTORS:

the means of obtaining information;

availability and skills of the researcher;

objective of the problem;

nature of the problem; and

availability of time and money for the research work

If the research study happens to be an exploratory or a formulative one, wherein the major emphasis is on discovery of ideas and insights

if the purpose of a study is accurate description of a situation or of an association between variables, accuracy becomes a major consideration

Research Design – Checklist

What is the study about Why is the study being made Where will it be carried out What type of data required to be collected Where can the data be found What is the time frame What will be the sample design What techniques of data collection to be used How will the data be analysed How will the report be prepared or presented

Principles of Experimental Design

Principle of Replication: A study or experiment is repeated a number of times to increase the precision of the study.

Principles of Replication – example

• Suppose we are conducting a research to examine the effect of 2 varieties of rice. How to apply Replication?

• Instead of dividing the field into two parts and grow the two varieties of rice, we divide the field into several parts and grow one variety in half of these parts and the other variety in the other half.

• We collect the data of yield of two varieties and compare.

• The experiment can be repeated in the same fashion in different fields, in the same manner.

• This is the application of principle of replication

Principle of Randomization: Is done to eliminate bias and ensure that the variations caused by extraneous factors can all be combined under the heading “chance”.

Principles of Randomisation – example

• Suppose in the previous experiment, we grow one variety in the first half and another in second half, it is possible that the fertility in one half is different from the other. So fertility is an extraneous variable, that influences the yield. But we are not taking up fertility for our research. The result of soil fertility is called the experimental error.

• We therefore assign the varieties of rice to different parts on the basis of principle of randomization. We then have a better estimate of the experimental error.

Principle of Local Control: This is done to separate variability due to extraneous factors from the experimental error (caused by extraneous variables).

Principles of Local Control – example

• Suppose that the soil fertility is not the same in all the parts of the field.

• We divide the field into several homogeneous parts, called blocks. Each block is divided into parts equal to the number of treatments, viz., the varieties of rice.

• The treatments are then assigned randomly to the different blocks.

• Thus blocks are the levels at which we hold an extraneous factor fixed.

• The results are then analysed through ANOVA, 2 way or 3 way as the case be.

Different types Research Design

1. Research design for exploratory or formulative studies.

In this type of design, a vague problem is selected and understood and is then followed by an exploratory research to find a new hypothesis and then carrying out conclusion research decisions to finally get new ideas.

Aims at finding a new hypothesis.

Individual surveys, referring to secondary sources of data etc. play an important role in such research designs.

Reviewing related literature, following or surveying people having practical experience in the problem related field act as very important and most commonly used methods by an exploratory researcher

2. Research design in case of descriptive and diagnostic research studies

the research design for the descriptive studies and is further divided as follows –

a. Case Study method Finds extensive use in commerce and industry.Very respectable method of teaching and research management.Helps greatly in knowing the causes and the results of the incident of the phenomenon.

b. Statistical method

Also trying to find its place in commerce and industry. Act as method of correlation and regressions, analysis,chi square etc.

Has been made very rigorous and sophisticated by coming up of the computers.

3. Research design for experimental studies

Explains the structure of an experiment. Involve plans for the testing of the causal hypothesis. Decides the number of observations to be taken and also the order in which experiments are to be

carried out. Which randomization method to be used. Which mathematical model to be used for explaining the experiment

DEVELOPING A RESEARCH PLAN

A good research plan contains the following:

Clear statement of research objective Clear and explicit statement of the research problem Major concepts which are to be measured and test ed should be defined in operational terms, in

the context of the research project Guideline on the approach and methods to be used in solving the problem – statistical and non-

quantitative if any should be clearly mentioned Clear mention as to the data collection methods; nature of the interview procedure; Nature of the

instruments used and conditions under which they are to be administered Clear mention of the population sampling plan; methods of identifying the samples etc., Guidelines on how to analyze the data Results of pilot study. Time and cost budgets. Of great importance if the research is to be funded by external agencies.

DESIGN OF EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP:

Many research studies involve development of an experimental set-up to meet the specific needs. experimental set-up may vary depending upon the objective of the research study. flow chart for “product design process” gives an idea of design of experimental set-up.

1.conceptual phase

2.substantive phase &

3.detail phase

During conceptual phase , we think of all the different ways, evaluate each approach, select the feasible one and move to the next phase.

In substantive phase, concepts are converted into physical structures or simulated structures. the final phase is a detailed planning phase. after evaluating each alternative, the most feasible one is adapted in the study.

USE OF STANDARDS AND CODES:

Research is a challenging task as it deals with unsolved problems. Codes and standards are important source of documents to help the researcher in the design. Standards organizations ensure co-ordination and preparation of standards and codes.

USA - ANSI, INDIA - BIS, UK - BS.

Professional associations also involve in the preparation of specifications and standards. American society for testing materials (ASTM) prepares annual book of standards. Other professional bodies whose publications are worth referring.

Society of automotive engineers (SAE), IEEE and so on. The material and information available in the organizations provide researcher adequate information depending on their need

Important Concepts Relating to Research Design:

1. Dependent and Independent Variables.

tttask

Clarify task and develop specification

Develop alternative concepts

Preliminary layout

Optimize and complete design

Definitive layout

Finalize details and complete definitive layout

Document

Set-up

Update and improve

Conceptual phase

Substantive phase

Detail phase

2. Extraneous Variable3. Control4. Confounded Relationship5. Research hypothesis6. Experimental & Non Experimental Hypothesis Testing Research7. Experimental & Control Groups8. Treatments Experiment9. Experimental Units

UNIT 5--------RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Research Proposal

Definition:

It is a document written by a researcher that provides a detailed description of the proposed program.

It is like an outline of the entire research process that gives a reader a summary of the information discussed in a project.

Research proposals are written for various reasons:

Budget request for the research

Certification requirements for research - an institutional review board committee

Before performing research for a dissertation

For employment at a research institution (which usually requires sponsor-approved research proposals).

RESEARCH PROPOSALS ARE WRITTEN IN FUTURE TENSE AND HAVE DIFFERENT POINTS OF EMPHASIS.

Like scientific articles, research proposals have sections describing the

Research background,

Significance,

Methods and

References

Instead of a section describing the results, research proposals have a section describing the hypotheses or the expected results.

A typical research proposal includes an extensive but focused literature review.

Research sponsors publish calls for research proposals, specifying the topics into which they fund research and their detailed format requirements.

Those sponsors may be governmental, nonprofit or business research foundations.

Government funding agencies include

DST

MHRD

AICTE

UGC

CSIR

DRDO etc.

How to write a research proposal:

Most students and beginning researchers do not fully understand what a research proposal means, nor do they understand its importance.

An ill-conceived proposal dooms the project even if it somehow gets through the Thesis Supervisory Committee.

A research proposal is intended to convince others that you have a worthwhile research project and that you have the competence and the work-plan to complete it.

Generally, a research proposal should contain all the key elements involved in the research process and include sufficient information for the readers to evaluate the proposed study.

Regardless of your research area and the methodology you choose, all research proposals must address the following questions:

What you plan to accomplish?

Why you want to do it? and

How you are going to do it?

Contents

Title:

It should be concise and descriptive. However, if possible, think of an informative but catchy title.

An effective title not only pricks the reader's interest, but also predisposes him/her favorably towards the proposal.

Abstract:

It is a brief summary of approximately 300 words.

It should include the research question, the rationale for the study, the hypothesis (if any), the method and the main findings.

Descriptions of the method may include the design, procedures, the sample and any instruments that will be used.

Introduction:

The main purpose of the introduction is to provide the necessary background or context for your research problem.

How to frame the research problem is perhaps the biggest problem in proposal writing.

Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast rules on how to frame your research question just as there is no prescription on how to write an interesting and informative opening paragraph.

A lot depends on your creativity, your ability to think clearly and the depth of your understanding of problem areas.

The introduction generally covers the following elements

State the research problem, which is often referred to as the purpose of the study.

Provide the context and set the stage for your research question in such a way as to show its necessity and importance.

Present the rationale of your proposed study and clearly indicate why it is worth doing.

Briefly describe the major issues and sub-problems to be addressed by your research.

Identify the key independent and dependent variables of your experiment. Alternatively, specify the phenomenon you want to study.

State your hypothesis or theory, if any. For exploratory or phenomenological research, you may not have any hypotheses.

Set the delimitation or boundaries of your proposed research in order to provide a clear focus.

Provide definitions of key concepts. (This is optional.)

Literature Review:

Sometimes the literature review is incorporated into the introduction section.

However, most professors prefer a separate section, which allows a more thorough review of the literature.

The literature review serves several important functions:

Shows your ability to critically evaluate relevant literature information.

Indicates your ability to integrate and synthesize the existing literature.

Provides new theoretical insights or develops a new model as the conceptual framework for your research.

Convinces your reader that your proposed research will make a significant and substantial contribution to the literature (i.e., resolving an important theoretical issue or filling a major gap in the literature).

Methods:

The Method section is very important because it tells your Research Committee how you plan to tackle your research problem.

It will provide your work plan and describe the activities necessary for the completion of your project.

For quantitative studies, the method section typically consists of the following sections:

Design-Is it a questionnaire study or a laboratory experiment? What kind of design do you choose?

Subjects or participants-Who will take part in your study ? What kind of sampling procedure do you use?

Instruments - What kind of measuring instruments or questionnaires do you use? Why do you choose them? Are they valid and reliable?

Procedure - How do you plan to carry out your study? What activities are involved? How long does it take?

Results:

Obviously you do not have results at the proposal stage.

However, you need to have some idea about what kind of data you will be collecting, and what statistical procedures will be used in order to answer your research question or test you hypothesis.

Discussion:

It is important to convince your reader of the potential impact of your proposed research.

You need to communicate a sense of enthusiasm and confidence without exaggerating the merits of your proposal.

You also need to mention the limitations and weaknesses of the proposed research, which may be justified by time and financial constraints as well as by the early developmental stage of your research area.

What are the Common Mistakes in Proposal Writing?

1. Failure to provide the proper context to frame the research question.

2. Failure to delimit the boundary conditions for your research.

3. Failure to cite landmark studies.

4. Failure to accurately present the theoretical and empirical contributions by other researchers.

5. Failure to stay focused on the research question.

6. Failure to develop a coherent and persuasive argument for the proposed research.

7. Too much detail on minor issues, but not enough detail on major issues.

8. Too much rambling -- going "all over the map" without a clear sense of direction. (The best proposals move forward with ease and grace like a seamless river.)

9. Too many citation lapses and incorrect references.

10. Too long or too short.

11. Failing to follow the APA style.

12. Sloppy writing.

Format of Research grant proposal

The proposal should provide the following information.

General Information:

a. Name of Institution / Univ. Department:

b. Address:

c. Phone No:

d. Type of Institution: Govt / Govt.aided / Self-financing

Section A:

a. Title of the Project:

b. Major Area:--------List given

c. Project Details: GROUPS IN WHICH PRESENTATIONS CAN BE

MADEGROUP Departments/Disciplines/Subjects Group 1 Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering

Group 2 Architecture & Town Planning, Civil Engineering, Fine Arts & Crafts

Group 3 Electrical, Electronics, Electronics & Communication and related subjects

Group 4 Computer Science/Technology/Engineering Group 5 Mechanical Engineering Group 6 Pharmacy Group 7 Management Group 8 Materials and Metallurgy

Group 9 Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Textiles, and Others

TYPE OF THE INSTITUTION

University Department

Deemed University

Govt. Engg. College

Govt Aided Engg. College

Govt. Polytechnic

Govt Aided Polytechnic

Self-financing Engg. College

Self-financing Polytechnic

Self-financing Non-accredited 5 Years Old Institutions From J&k And North Eastern States.

LEVEL OF THE INSTITUTION

Diploma Level

Under Graduate Level

Post Graduate Level

Ph.D Level

Type of projects (AICTE):

RPS (Research Promotion Scheme)

MODROBS (Modernization and Removal of Obsolescence )

RID (Research and Institutional Development )

Project Summary (in 50 words):

Objectives of the Proposed Project (in 50 words):

Justification of the Project with Respect to the Department/Institution Needs:

Relevance of the Project with the Academic & Research Activities:

International Development in the Area of Project:

National Status (in 50 words):

Significance of Undertaking the Project in the Context of Current Status (in 50 words):

Does the Project have any Commercial Application or Patentability? (in 50 words):

Research Report

Steps in Writing the Report

Plan the writing ……Chapterisation

Outline of the Report

Writing the Report

Editing and Rewriting the Report

Style and Tense

Outline of the ReportIt is a skeleton of the thesis to which the material is to be stuffed

It consists of :

List of Chapters and Headings.

Under the chapters, Series of Headings , Sub Headings, Su-sub-headings etc. which encompass the various sections of the report.

Figures, titles and some other notes and comments may also be included.

Tentative table of contents

Research Supervisor help is required in this regard

Format of Research grant proposal

General Information:

• Name of Institution / Univ. Department:

• Address:

• Phone No:

• Type of Institution: Govt / Govt.aided / Self-financing

Section A:

• Title of the Project:

• Major Area:--------List given

• Project Details

Type of projects

– RPS (Research Promotion Scheme)

– MODROBS (Modernization and Removal of Obsolescence )

– RID (Research and Institutional Development )

• Project Summary

• Objectives of the Proposed Project.

– Relevance of the Project with the Academic & Research Activities.

Significance of Undertaking the Project in the Context of Current Status.

Does the Project have any Commercial Application or Patentability?

BUDGET ESTIMATE

• Non- Recurring Expenditure (A)

Equipment

Note:- Proposals supported by preliminary quotations from equipment manufacturers to the extent possible, are to be submitted

• Recurring Expenditure (B)

Consumables

TA

Books and Stationary

Manpower etc.)

Total budget = A+B

Duration of ProjectTime – Activity Chart

Sl.No. Activity Block Time Required (in months) 1 Call for quotation and preparation of

comparative statements (A) 2

2 Purchase Committee and University approval (B)

1.5

3 Placing order and receiving equipment (C) 3 4 Installation and commissioning (D) 0.5 5 Training on software (E) 0.5 6 Short term course (F) 2 7 Search industrial problems (G) 1.5 8 Undertaking UG / PG projects (H) 6 9 Project outcome / Analysis (I) 4 10 Report submission (J) 3

Total Time: 24 months.

Note:- A time activity chart may also be submitted indicating time scheduled along with deliverables

Section B

• RESUMÈ OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR AND CO-PI.

• ENDORSEMENT FROM THE HEAD OF INSTITUTION.

• SUGGESTED LIST OF THRUST AREAS

SPECIFIC TO EACH DISCIPLINE.

FORMAT FOR PROPOSALS FOR R&D PROJECTS, CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE, RESEARCH FACILITIES, JOINT INSTITUTION-INDUSTRY LINKED PROJECTS

• Title of the project

• Name and address of the Project Investigator(s) and Institution.

• Objectives of the project (in one page)

• R & D work in the proposed area already accomplished by the proposer(s) with published references (2 pages)

•  Specific work plan including methodology, time schedule and deliverables (short term and long term)

• Inter-institutional or industrial links, if any.

• Facilities and infrastructure available to the team for implementing the project

• Specific research facilities required for the project with detailed justification.

• Give a statement of the funds for R&D already received from DST and other S&T agencies.

• Financial requirements for complete project duration and phasing for each year. In giving budget requirements.

• Bio-data of investigators

CONTENTS OF TECHNICAL PAPER

Title of the paper

Affiliation

Abstract: Keywords

Introduction

Literature review

Experimental procedure

Results and Discussion

Conclusions

Acknowledgements

References