PROFESSORS ADDA:
🔶PREPARING RESEARCH DESIGN
The research design is prepared after the hypothesis has been formulated and before the process of data collection is started. It is the blueprint of the complete process of the research based on its objectives and outlays the overall framework of the procedures to be followed to answer the research questions. It describes the scope of the study and states the approach/strategy as well as the type (experimental, survey, correlation, semi-experimental, review, etc.) of research. It lists the objectives of the research as well as the benefits it will have. It gives the framework of correlation between the variables and specifies what sampling methods and sample size would be used; what types of data would be collected, from what sources or using what instruments/tools; and, what statistics and technique(s) of data analysis would be employed. At the same time, it explains why all of these specifics have been chosen over the others. It also briefs about the time available and the costs involved for each stage of the research. The name of a research design usually corresponds with the kind of research undertaken.

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🔶Purpose of a research design
-To provide answers to the research questions To provide methods
-to control the external, extraneous and error variance of the research

Essential components of a research design. problem
i. Statements of research objectives which declare why the research project has been undertaken
ii. Description of type of data needed for the study
iii. Definition of population to be studied/observed/
investigated
iv. Description of sampling procedures to be followed
v. List and description of instruments and methods to be used for collection of data
vi. List and description of tools/methods to be used for data analysis
vii. Prediction of output or research outcomes (expected) and suggestion of possible actions to be taken based on those outcomes
viii. Mention of time and costs involved
ix. Specification of responsibility owed
X. Description of ethical issues involved as well as measures to be adopted to eliminate/overcome those

Types of Research Design
I. Based on reference period
i. Retrospective research design:
It outlines the research framework to trace the occurrence of a situation/phenomenon/outcome that has already happened before the study design is prepared. The research basically involves study and review of existing/available data from various sources. It looks backwards and examines exposures to suspected risk or protection factors in relation to an outcome that is already established at the start of the study.
Most sources of error-producing bias are present in retrospective studies. So, the outcome of interest is uncommon and hence, the numbers are too large for obtaining the odds ratio which provides an estimate of relative risk. [Odds ratio (OR) is defined as the ratio of the odds of A in the presence of B and the odds of A in the absence of B; OR the ratio of the odds of B in the presence of A and the odds of B in the absence of A]. Hence, all sources of bias must be eliminated.

ii. Prospective research design:
It outlines research process that seeks to attain outcomes predicted in the beginning and is interventional or observational in nature. It usually involves recruiting a sample/cohort of subjects to study the development of their condition situation over a period of time so as to relate that to other variables/factors such as risk. protection, etc. The outcome of interest should be common, so that, the number of outcomes observed is substantial enough to enable a statistical analysis.
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i. Experimental or Causal research design:
It frames the plan outlay for determining cause and effect relationship of the chosen variables, of which the independent variable (or predictor variable) is manipulated to observe/measure its impact/effect on the dependent variable. Experimental research