Research 101

Basic Concepts in
Research (Chapter 3:
Research Design)
Objective
After reading this chapter, the
learner will be able to:

• Know what is a research design,

and;
• Identify the classification of
research design;
 Research Design
• The research design serves as a master plan of the methods
and procedures that should be used to collect and analyze
the data needed by the researcher.
• The researcher must consider the type of data, the design
technique, the company methodology and procedures, the
schedule and budget.
• The function of a research design is to ensure that the
evidence obtained enables you to effectively address the
research problem
 Classification of Research Design

•Descriptive
•Exploratory
•Historical
•Causal
 Descriptive Research Design

• Uses a scientific methods and procedures to collect raw data ad create data
structures that describe the existing characteristics of a defined target population.
• Focuses at the present condition. The purposes is to find the new truth. The truth
may have different forms such as increased quantity of knowledge, a new
generalization or a new “law” an increased insight into factors operating, the
discovery of a new casual friendship, a more accurate formulation of the problem
to be solved and many others.
• Valuable in providing facts on which scientific judgements may be based. They
provide essential knowledge about the nature of objects and person.
Types of Descriptive Research Widely used by
the researchers

Content Analysis

Descriptive Feasibility Study

Survey
Research

Case Study
Survey
This used when the objectives of
the study is to see the general or
specific picture of the population
under investigation in terms of
knowledge about or behavior
towards a certain phenomenon
concerning either relatively large
population under investigation
called census or with limited scope
which covers only a portion of
population under study called
Simple Survey.
Content Analysis
This is used to describe objectively,
systematically and quantitatively
the content of documents found in
business records, minutes of the
meeting, speeches, newspapers,
journal, or magazines. It is also
known as Documentary Analysis,
Rivera, 1996.
Case Study
Used when an extensively through
and comprehensive study of a
particular individual, group or
institution, situation is involved over
a period of time.
In using a case study, the researcher
must gather and arrange relevant
facts in the order of their
importance; determine what is
good and what is detrimental;
decide what should be done to
improve situation, and present s his
conclusions effectively.
If the case does not give enough
information, the case analyst should
identify the areas which are in need
of more data.
Feasibility Study
This method is used to find the viability of a
proposed undertaking on he establishment of
certain institution, an infrastructure or a
business venture. This study involves and
extensive systematic analysis of all factors
affecting the possibility of success of a
proposed project (DAP,1998).
The preparation of a project feasibility study
covers: (1) the collection if data (through
research work); (20 an analysis of the collected
data; and, (3) he formulation of
recommendations, based on the analysis.
 Exploratory Research Design
• Focused on collecting either secondary or primary data and using the
unstructured formal or informal procedures to interpret them. Among
the types of research designs, exploratory research incorporated the
fewest characteristics or principles of the scientific method.
• It is often used simply to classify the problems or opportunities and it
is not intended to provide conclusive information from which a
particular course of action can be determined.
 Methods available for collecting data

Quantitative Research Method Qualitative Research Method

• Places heavy emphasis on using • One objective of this method is
formalized standard questions to gain preliminary insights into
and predetermined response decision problems and
option in questionnaires or opportunities.
surveys administrated to large • Focused on the collection of
number of respondents. detailed amount primary data
• These method are more directly from relatively small samples of
related to descriptive and casual subjects by asking questions or
research designs than observing behavior.
exploratory
 Historical Design
• A systematic collection and evaluation of data to past occurrence
which describe causes, effects, or trends that may explain present
events and anticipate the future.
• It follows through an event over a given period, commencing always
the past. It is chronology of events taking not of the important
milestones landmarks in the life of a social, unit or individual.
 Special Standards and Procedures in Historical
Research
Formulating the problem
• There are several motivations for undertaking a historical research.
• Another reason for historical research design may be the discovery of new source
of materials wherein the meaning of which will supply answers about past events
when making the interpretation.

Gathering the Source Materials

• It is necessary to be familiar with the different types if historical sources which can
be availed of in the collection of data.
• Historical sources may be classified as primary or secondary.
• Primary source is regarded as the source of the best evidence. Because the data
came from the testimony of individuals who will be witness to past events.
 Special Standards and Procedures in
Historical Research
Criticizing the Source of Materials
• One of the essential responsibilities of a researcher is to be able to
detect whether a document is unintentionally erroneous or
deliberately produced to misinform.
• The researcher should be very careful in thinking that a resource is
genuine unless he/she has tried it by scientific means to determine
how reliable and trustworthy.
 Casual Research Design
• Designed to collect raw data and create data structures and information
that will allow the researcher to model cause-and-effect relationships
between two or more variables.
• More appropriate when the research objectives include the need to
understand the reasons why certain phenomena happen as they do.

• Seek to discover the effect that a variable has another or why certain
outcomes are obtains.
• With Casual Hypothesis, there is an implication that existence of, or change
in, one variable causes or leads to a change in the other variable.
 Example of Casual Hypothesis
• An increase in family income (IV) leads to an increase in the
percentage of income saved (DV).
• Loyalty to a particular department store(IV) increase the probability
or purchasing the private brands (DV) sponsored by the store.
• A decrease in the price of oil (IV) leads to increase in the demand for
oil products (DV)
Activity 2 (Research Design)
Create a research design narrative for your thesis.
Example:
RESEARCH DESIGN
The research used quantitative and qualitative method to obtain the data and purpose of the study.
Quantitative research allows measurement and examination of data. This type of research is numerical. This
research design is also an excellent way of finalizing results and proving or disproving a hypothesis
(HealthResearchFunding, 2014). On the other hand, qualitative approach is guided by an emphasis of
exploration, discovery, and descriptions of a specific phenomenon (Bloomberg & Volpe 2012). This type of
approach allows open-ended questions and personal interpretation of the findings in an effort to make new
discoveries (Creswell, 2014). It is designed to provide in-depth and detailed data which allows for
understanding of a specific phenomenon or a shared lived experience (Creswell, 2014).

Specifically, descriptive quantitative research design was implemented in this study to describe the current
status of a variable. This research design was used to gather data from millennials call center employees. On
the other hand, qualitative interview approach was used to gather information from former human resource
officer, managers millennial employees to support the result of the survey.