Quantitative Study - Design and Planning Phase

Identifying which step

selecting a research design

• overall plan for obtaining answers to the research questions

• tend to be structured and controlled with the goal of minimizing bias

• the research design is the architectural backbone of the study

developing protocols

• intervention protocol of the study must be developed, specifying what the intervention will entail and what the comparative condition will be

identifying the population

• specifying what characteristics study participants should possess

• with common and defining characteristics

designing the sampling plan

• collecting data from a sample

• specifies how the sample will be selected and how many participants there will be

• goal is to have a sample that adequately reflects the population’s traits

specifying methods to measure research variables

• researchers must find methods to measure their research variables accurately

• the primary methods are:

  • self reports

  • observations

  • biophysiological measures

developing methods to safeguard human / animal rights

• procedure needs to be developed to ensure that the study adheres to ethical principles

reviewing and finalizing the research plan

• before collecting data, researchers must undertake assessments to ensure that procedures will work smoothly