Research Design Summary

Research Design Overview

• Importance of understanding research types and designs: quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods.

• Research design supports the structure of a study, turning ideas into feasible studies.

• Ethical considerations are vital in research design; not covered in detail this week.

Research Process

• Front-end work: choosing a topic, mapping keywords helps clarify interests.

• Research type informs the knowledge desired: quantitative (numbers), qualitative (experiences), mixed methods (combination).

• Research design is the framework guiding data collection and analysis.

Components of Research Design

• Research Questions: Fundamental component; helps in forming a strong foundation.

• Independent Variables: Factors that the researcher manipulates (e.g., training type).

• Dependent Variables: Measurable outcomes affected by the independent variables (e.g., heart health indicators).

• Control Variables: Factors kept consistent to prevent interference with results (e.g., age, gender).

Validation of Research Design

• Validity: Are we measuring what we claim?

• Reliability: Will we obtain consistent results upon re-measurement?

• Ethics: Protecting participants' rights and safety (informed consent, confidentiality).

• Applicability: Do findings apply outside the study context?

Types of Research Approaches

• Quantitative Research: Uses numerical data to test hypotheses and compare groups.

  • Common Methods: Surveys, experiments, physiological testing, performance measures.

  • Designs: Experimental, quasi-experimental, correlational, cross-sectional, longitudinal.

• Qualitative Research: Uses narratives and observations to understand experiences.

  • Common Methods: Interviews, focus groups, observations, journals.

  • Designs: Phenomenological, grounded theory, case study, narrative research, ethnography.

• Mixed Methods: Combines quantitative and qualitative data to answer complex questions.

  • Common Methods: Surveys combined with interviews; experiments followed by focus groups.

  • Designs: Explanatory sequential, exploratory sequential, concurrent mixed methods.

Choosing the Right Design

• A successful design aligns with the research question and is mindful of feasibility.

• Consider constraints like time, participant access, and resources.

• Balancing depth and generalization is crucial; be clear about trade-offs in research types.

• Justify design choices based on the clarity of the question, methods, and expected outcomes.