Prelims 3

Research study design

It refers to the framework and methods used to gather and analyze the data related to specific variables in a research problem.

Research design

Acts as a structured plan for achieving research goals.

Follows a step-by-step plan for research activities

Focuses directly on the research question

Helps in choosing sources for data collection

Establishes a framework to identify how variables in the study interact

Characteristics of Research design

Sampling strategy

Data collection method

Measurement tools

Research designs tasks

Sampling design

The focus is on identifying any missing information sources not found during the initial exploration.

Concentrates on the investigative questions.

Data collection design

Encompasses decisions on how, when, and where data will be collected.

Reporting (who, what, when, where, how—in the past)

It provides a summation of data, often reformatting it for deeper understanding or to generate comparative statistics.

(ex: tally the number of employee theft in malls vs. stores)

Descriptive (who, what, where, when, how—now)

Collects new data, which may be combined with existing data and can range from simple to complex.

(ex: types of theft)

Explanatory (causal) (why, how—now)

It seeks to explain relationships among variables, determining how one variable causes changes in another.

(ex: crime rate between mall A and mall B)

Predictive (causal) (what, why, in future)

It predicts the effect on a dependent variable by manipulating an independent variable while keeping all other variables constant.

(ex: installing video surveillance cameras on the stockrooms to reduce employee theft)

Experimental (ability to manipulate)

The researcher has control over manipulating variables which enables them to change or maintain in a way that supports the study's hypothesis of caution.

(ex: banks - ATM access hours)

Ex post facto (no ability to manipulate)

Researchers cannot manipulate variables, instead, they compare results between participants exposed to the independent variable and those who are not.

(ex: savings acc holders living near a branch vs those not)

Statistical study (significant breadth, some depth)

It aims to infer a population’s characteristics by analyzing a sample.

Focuses on breadth, collecting the same data from multiple cases, and rest hypotheses quantitatively.

(ex: records study and survey of saving acc holders)

Case study (little breadth, significant depth)

Emphasizes comprehensive contextual analysis of one or a few events and their interrelationships.

Provides valuable insight for problem-solving by offering detailed info from multiple sources, allowing evidence verification and minimizing missing data.

(ex: surveillance camera footage)

Qualitative (emphasis on measures of meaning)

Uses interpretative techniques to describe, decode, translate, and understand the meaning of certain phenomena.

Quantitative (emphasis on measures of frequency)

Focuses on a phenomenon’s quantity, frequency, or magnitude and forms the basis of statistical studies.

Single methodology

Employs only one method, such as survey.

Multiple methodologies

Might include personal interviews, focus groups, and surveys.

Two-stage design (from quality = understand the problem to quanti = collect the data)

Common approach of multiple methodologies

Monitoring

The researcher observes and records activities without attempting to elicit responses from anyone.

(ex: traffic counts at intersections, recording license plates, searching a library collection, observing decision-makers actions, and studying accident records)

Communication study

The researcher gathers data by questioning participants and collecting their responses.

(ex: interviews)

Broader than surveys

Field setting

Occurs under actual environment conditions. It is assumed that when data is collected using field conditions, participants are less likely to alter their actual behavior.

Laboratory research

It occurs under staged or manipulated conditions.

(ex: a taste test of a new menu item for Wendy’s)

Simulation

(ex: performance of an airplane engine design to deflect birds)

(ex: virtual reality, role-playing)

Mystery shoppers - where a researcher poses as a potential customer to record and evaluate the salesperson's knowledge, customer service approach, and procedural skills.

Example of a behavioral role-play simulation

Cross-sectional (one measurement at one point in time)

Provides a snapshot of data at a single point in time, offering advantages like speed.

It can reveal past attitudes, history, and future expectations.

(bank study's survey phase)

Longitudinal (many measurements in a specified period)

Involve repeated measures of the same variable over a specified period, allowing researchers to track changes or engage participants in various activities.

It can follow the same people over time or use different participants for each measurement.

Design the measurement instruments

During this phase, the focus shifts to designing and crafting the measurement instruments.

(ex: survey questionnaires, interview guides, group discussion guides, or observation checklist)

Survey

Most effective tool for assessing market demand and customer preferences for a new product or service.