The document outlines the importance of research design as a blueprint for conducting research, detailing its purpose in data collection and analysis. It distinguishes between experimental and non-experimental designs, highlighting types such as true experimental, quasi-experimental, and various non-experimental approaches like descriptive and longitudinal studies. The choice of research design is influenced by factors such as research questions, available resources, and the nature of the study.
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Research Design
The document outlines the importance of research design as a blueprint for conducting research, detailing its purpose in data collection and analysis. It distinguishes between experimental and non-experimental designs, highlighting types such as true experimental, quasi-experimental, and various non-experimental approaches like descriptive and longitudinal studies. The choice of research design is influenced by factors such as research questions, available resources, and the nature of the study.
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NSC 411:
RESEARCH METHODS IN NURSING II
Dr. S.J. Ayamolowo
olowoyamolowo@yahoo.com TOPIC
THE RESEARCH DESIGN
Introduction • Research design is the blue print of the research. • It helps the researcher to collect the best evidence to support the study being conducted. • The research design is connected with how the sample will be selected and the data collected. • Some relevant questions at this stage include: o “What is the best method to get answers to my research questions?” o “What is the best method to get data to test my hypotheses?” Objectives •At the end of this unit, you should be able to: oDefine research design oIdentify the purposes of the research design oIdentify and describe the different types of research designs oExplain the differences between experimental and non experimental designs. Overview of the Research Design • A strategy to get the information the researcher wants in a study. • Overall plan for answering the research questions or testing the hypotheses. • Incorporate the data collection plan, the sampling plan and the analysis plan. • Decision of which one to use rests on the researcher and the nature of the research. • Each researcher could choose the design deemed most suitable for the specific research. Definition and Overview of the Research Design Cont’d • The research design (methodology): o qualitative when the data to be collected will be in words and o quantitative, when the data would be in numbers (numeric). • Generally grouped : experimental and non experimental • Other classifications exist. Purposes of the Research Design • Major purposes : o To enable the researcher focus on the key variables under investigation o To facilitate adequate sampling methods o To ensure that the appropriate data collection method is applied. o It enhances the data analysis plan. Choice of Research Design • Depends on: o The research question o The researcher‟s knowledge o Time available for study o Resources available o Availability and commitment of research participants, Types of Research Designs • They could be grouped into: oExperimental designs oQuasi experimental designs oEx post facto designs oNon experimental designs Experimental Designs • True experimental design maintains maximum and rigorous control over the research subjects • Uses the process of randomization and manipulation in the implementation of the study. • Randomization & manipulation constitute the characteristics of an experimental design. • Experimental design: a scientific way of determining whether or not the independent variable has any effect at all on the dependent variable. Experimental Designs Cont’d • Control implies the ability of the researcher to regulate and check all elements in the research. • Achieved through the process of randomization: • process of assigning subjects to the study on a random basis to make the groups equal, and manipulation. • Manipulation is the process by which the researcher manages the independent variable in order to study its effect on the dependent variable. • Something is done to a group of the subjects (experimental group) by the researcher, • While the other group (comparison group), does not receive anything. Steps in Experimental Design oIdentify the study population oSelect a sample from the population by simple random sampling oRandomly assign the sample to two subgroups, which you will name experimental and control groups oObserve and record the characteristics of the two groups oIntroduce the independent variable to the experimental group, but not to the control group oLater observe the dependent variable in both the experimental and control groups Steps in experimental design cont’d o Compare the changes in experimental group with those in the control group and record the difference. o Compare these values with statistically computed values to judge significance of the differences and indicate whether or not the observed difference could have occurred by chance. o If the findings are significantly greater than would be expected to occur by chance alone, a causal relationship would have been established between the independent variable and the dependent variable under study The Quasi Experimental Design • The quasi experimental design resembles the experimental design to some extent • Lacks some of the characteristics of the true experiment. • The study of intact pre existing groups randomly drawn, and assigning the whole groups into experimental and control groups. • There is loss of randomization and less control. • Does not allow the researcher to control assignments of subjects to conditions. • Weak when compared with the true experimental design The Ex Post Facto Design • This design literally means „after the fact‟ design • It lacks randomization and control. • There is no treatment either • But the researcher seeks to establish if a grouping seems to make a difference on some outcome. • Design is not applicable in cause/effect types of research questions or problem statement. • High risk of contaminating variables. The Non-Experimental Design • Involves those studies without deliberate manipulation of the variables or control over the research setting. • There may be random sampling of subjects, but the researcher does not employ randomization to assign subjects to groups. • It includes those studies with the characteristic questions of “What is/ what are/ identify”. • They include: o Descriptive studies o Historical research o Cross sectional designs o Longitudinal studies Descriptive studies • A non experimental research where the researcher may utilize self report measures that looks at many cases across a few variables • It relates one to another but does not demonstrate causality. • Most often used for research that has to do with beliefs, attitudes, or emotions. • Determining and reporting subjects or objects the way they are. • They could also take the form of exploratory studies, surveys, and case studies. Historical research • A non experimental design that describes causes, effects or trends that may help explain present events and anticipate future events. • They seek to answer why • The data sources are original correspondences, diaries, artifacts, witnesses and paper accounts of events. Cross sectional designs • The observations are taken at one time, like a snapshot of participants, especially where the aim is to determine prevalence. • Cross sectional design has the advantage of being economical in time and cost. Longitudinal studies • Longitudinal studies are the ones where one or more participants are studied at several points in time. • The sample is followed over time to see how they change. • All the variables are measured within a narrow span of time with data collected for each variable at each age level. • The aim is to describe patterns of change, the direction and magnitude of causal relationships between the variables. Prospective and Retrospective • They are non experimental designs • Prospective designs o It provide the researcher the opportunity to study a phenomenon over time as a developmental process unfolds. • Retrospective designs o Employed when an event or phenomenon in the present is linked to a previous event to determine the antecedents. Differences between Experimental and Non-Experimental Designs • Experimental designs are characterized by randomization, control and manipulation of subjects, while in non experimental designs subjects are studied as they are, with much less control, though there may be random selection of subjects. • The experimental design is able to determine a cause and effect relationship, which is not possible by the non experimental design. • Experimental design is often more expensive, since the researcher may need to create conditions that may not be possible normally for the purpose of the study. Differences between Experimental and Non-Experimental Designs Cont’d • Subject availability may be more with none experimental, but attrition rate is also higher. • Experimental designs are not suitable for researches that have to do with emotions. • Experimental studies are amenable to replication while it may not be possible with non experimental designs. • Prediction of future occurrences is possible with only experimental design. Conclusion • The research design is the blue print of research, and a crucial step in the entire research process. • The implementation of the research depends on the design • Hence, the need for every researcher to understand the different designs in order to effectively implement research. Summary • This unit shows that: oThe research design is the blue print of the research. o Major purpose of the design is to ensure that the adequate data collection method is applied. oThe experimental and non experimental designs were identified as two main types of research designs. oThe experimental design varieties were mentioned as true experimental, quasi experimental and ex post facto designs. oThe non experimental designs include the descriptive such as surveys, exploratory studies, cross sectional, longitudinal, retrospective, prospective and historical studies. Summary Cont’d • Choice of research design by researchers is determined by the nature of the research, the researcher‟s knowledge, time and resources among others. • Differences between experimental and non experimental designs involve the characteristics of control, randomization and manipulation applicable to the experimental but not the non experimental. • The experimental design is able to establish causal relationship, and is much more replicable than the non experimental design. Assignment • Define and explain the purpose of research design. • Explain the characteristics of the experimental design. • What is the major difference between cross sectional and longitudinal studies? •Read ahead of next class on: • Steps in research process