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Chapter 6
Research Design:
An Overview
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Research Design
• Research design refers to the overall strategy
or blueprint that a researcher uses to integrate
different components of a study in a clear and
logical way.
• It outlines the framework for collecting data,
measuring it, and planning of data analysis to
effectively address the research problem or
hypothesis.
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Pg
126,
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Key Components of Research Design
(Content from outside,
not text book)
Purpose of the Study Descriptive/ Causal/ Experimental
Research Approach & Type Qualitative/ Quantitively /Mixed
Longitudinal or Cross-Sectional Design
Sampling Strategy random sampling, stratified sampling, convenience
sampling,
Data Collection Methods surveys, interviews, observations, Annual report
*Depends on the nature of the research approach
and type
Data Analysis Plan Statistical techniques for quantitative data / Thematic
analysis for qualitative data.
Validity and Reliability: Ensures the design leads to accurate, consistent, and
credible results.
*Validity refers to whether the study measures what it
claims to measure, and *reliability refers to the
consistency of the results when the study is repeated.
Tips: Clarity, Logical Structure, Minimizes Bias, Maximizes
Validity
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Research Design
Research Design is the detail elaboration (e.g. plan/structure) of the process,
particularly the methodology, to investigate the research question/hypothesis
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Research Design Diagram
Primary or Secondary Qualitative or Quantitative
Data? Approaches?
Exploratory, Causal?
Observation, In-Depth
Generalization or Case Interview, Survey,
Study? Experimentation?
There can be multiple ways to reach to the answer. But the appropriate way depends on
the purpose of the research and the nature of the investigative question/hypothesis
Design the research accordingly
Note: For qualitative studies there would be no hypothesis.
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Degree to Structure of
Research Question
• Exploratory: Conducted when little is known about a topic
or problem. The aim is to explore, gather insights, and
develop a better understanding of the issue.
• A formal study refers to a structured and well-defined
research process designed to test specific hypotheses or
answer clearly stated research questions using a rigorous
methodology.
• In comparison, Exploratory studies which are more open-ended
and flexible, whereas Formal studies involve a more systematic
approach with clear objectives, defined variables, and detailed
data collection and analysis methods .
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Example of Research Questions that may
be addressed with exploratory research
approach
• How does Covid-19 impacting on the
psychological state of mind of the people?
• What does it mean to be living in a “New
Normal” era?
• Investigating how consumers use new
technology without any prior knowledge.
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Example of Research Questions that can be
addressed with formal research approach
• Does the rise in bad management behavior lead to
employee turnover in an organization?
• What are the factors influence firms in deciding their
capital structure?
• Identify the factors that are crucial for sustainability
of the banking sector of Bangladesh?
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Degree to Structure of
Research Question
EXPLORATORY STUDY FORMAL STUDY
Loosely Defined Crystalized
Objective is to enhance Established Hypothesis
understanding
Clear Objective
Procedure??
(Mostly Qualitative) Precise Procedure
(Mostly Quantitative)
Research Technique is
challenging Defined Data Sources
Generalization is not Clear Data Analysis
the objective Technique
Tentative Conclusion Usually Generalizable
Leads to Hypothesis
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Method of Data Collection
Monitoring
No Human Interaction
Data Collected from Observation, Remote Mode
(e.g. CCTV), Machine generated, Archive
Example:
Traffic count in an intersection
Performance analysis based on investigating data
generated by systematic process
(e.g. productivity, accounting performance)
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Method of Data Collection
Communication
Human contact is essential
Example:
Interview or telephone conversation
Self administered survey questionnaire
sent through email or post
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The power of the researcher to
produce effects in the variables
under study
Researcher has control over the
Experiment variable(s)
Study involving the manipulation or
control of one or more variables to
determine the effect on another
variable.
Example:
Influence of Study Environment (IV) on
Concentration (DV)
Teachers tanning (IV) on Student
Performance(DV)
Effect of Marketing Strategies (IV) on
Sales(DV)
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The power of the researcher to
produce effects in the variables
under study
Experiment
Can be manipulated
by the researcher
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The power of the researcher to
produce effects in the variables
under study
Ex-Post Facto Study:
Researcher cannot control the Researcher has no control over the
variables directly. This study variable(s)
is valuable for investigating
cause-and-effect relationships Researcher can only report what
when experimentation is not has happened or happening
possible.
Example of Uncontrollable Variables
Gender and Leadership Styles
Political condition of a host country and MNC performance
Economic Condition and firm value
Effect of Parental Education on Student Academic Performance
Impact of Smoking on Lung Cancer
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The purpose of the study
Statistical illustration of data e.g. Crime Report: Number
for deeper understanding of crime per person
or comparison
Discover the answers to the e.g. Crime Report: type of
questions who, what, when, crime, where it happened,
where, or how much by whom, how often it
happens etc.
e.g. Research on Crime:
Attempt to reveal a causal Why does a person crime?
relationship between Find out the factors behind
variables. a person inclined to crime
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The Time Dimension
Carried out once and Repeated over an extended
represent a snapshot of one period. This study can track
point in time. changes over time.
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The Time Dimension
• Cross-sectional study collects data at a single point in time.
Understanding the current state or relationships between variables at
a particular moment.
Example: Relationship between student GPA (IV) and study habits(DV)
in Summer 2024.
Design: A researcher surveys a group of students during the same
semester, asking about their GPA and how many hours per week
they study. Data is collected at this one point in time and analyzed for
patterns or correlations.
Another eg, Employee Salaries in Different Companies in 2023
Longitudinal study collects data from the same subjects over an
extended period of time. Understanding causal relationships or the
impact of variables over time.
Example: To study Relationship between student GPA (IV) and study
habits(DV) over a period of four years .
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Panel Study: Data is collected from the same group at multiple
time points.
Balanced panel study is one in which data is collected from the same subjects at
every time point.
Eg: 100 participants at three different points in time (Year 1, Year 2, Year 3)
Unbalanced panel study occurs when some subjects do not provide data for all time
points.
Eg: 70 participants provide data at Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3 and
30 participants drop out after Year 1 due to missing data or else.
Cohort Study: Data is collected from a specific cohort (group with a
shared characteristic, such as birth year) across different periods.
Eg: Impact of childhood nutrition on adult health.
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The topical scope—Breadth and
Depth—of the study
• Depth • Breadth
• Detail • Quantitative
• Qualitative • Generalizable
• Multiple findings/Popu
sources of lation
information
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The Research
Environment
Field conditions
(Actual Condition)
Lab conditions
(Staged Condition)
Simulations
(Replicated Condition)
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Research Approaches
Explained in chapter 2
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Qualitative Vs.
Quantitative
Qualitative Quantitative
•Nature of something •Quantity of Something
•What •Measurement
•Meaning/Definition •How and Why
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Exploratory Studies
Unclear
Idea/Concept/P Give direction
roblem for further
research design
Exploration
Tentative
Conclusion/ Depending
Hypothesis on the
importance
Develop
Establish Operational
Clearer Definition
Concepts Test
Hypothesis
through Formal
Study
Exploratory study depends heavily on qualitative
research approach.
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Exploratory Studies:
Two-Stage Design
Stage 1: Clearly Define
the Problem
Unclear
Idea/Concept/P Exploration
roblem Starts
Stage 2: Develop a
research design keeping
in mind the fund
restrictions.
Scope of the study
depends on the fund
availability.
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Qualitative Approaches
Primary Data Secondary Data
•In-Depth-Interviewing •Photographs
•Participant observation •Documentary Films
•Elite or expert •Document/Archive
interviewing/Experience analysis
Survey
•Focus Group Discussion
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Causal Studies
NOTE: People without scientific training may
think that a correlation is causation. However,
just because two things change together does
not imply a cause-and-effect relationship.
The essential element of causation is that A
“produces” B or A “forces” B to occur
» Lets look at few examples that not causal…
•Study Hours and GPA
•Use of Highlighters and Exam Scores
•Attendance & Time Spent on Social Media and Grades
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Examples of cause-and-
effect relationships:
• Higher Interest Rates and Reduced
Borrowing
• Improved Employee Training and
Enhanced Productivity
• Increased Advertising and Sales Growth
• Stricter Environmental Regulations and
Reduced Pollution
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Types of Relationships
Symmetrical/
Symmetrical/ Reciprocal
Correlational Reciprocal
Correlational
Asymmetrical/
Asymmetrical/
Causal
Causal
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Symmetrical / Correlational
A symmetrical/correlational
Symmetrical/
Symmetrical/ relationship is one in which two
Correlational variables vary together but we assume
Correlational
the changes in neither variables are due
to changes in the other.
Active participation in
Low class attendance
various student clubs
Life style preference
Actual Cause
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Reciprocal
A reciprocal relationship exists
Reciprocal
Reciprocal when two variables mutually
influence or reinforce each other.
Influences people to
buy a product The use of a brand
Reading of an advertisement
of product
Sensitizes people more to notice and
follow the advertisement of that brand
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Reciprocal relationship
example
Student motivation and academic performance
over several semesters.
Hypothesis: Higher motivation may initially lead to
improved academic performance. However, as
academic performance improves, it may further
increase a student’s motivation to study and
perform well, creating a reinforcing cycle.
Conversely, if a student’s performance declines,
their motivation might decrease.
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Asymmetrical/Causal
With asymmetrical relationships,
Asymmetrical/
Asymmetrical/ we postulate that changes in one
Causal
Causal variable (independent variable) are
responsible for changes in another
(dependent variable).
Promotion Sales
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