Research Guides: Research Methods Guide: Research Design & Method (2024)

What is the difference between Research Design and Research Method?

Research design is a plan to answer your research question. A research method is a strategy used to implement that plan. Research design and methods are different but closely related, because good research design ensures that the data you obtain will help you answer your research question more effectively.

Which research method should I choose?

It depends on your research goal. It depends on what subjects (and who) you want to study. Let's say you are interested in studying what makes people happy, or why some students are more conscious about recycling on campus. To answer these questions, you need to make a decision about how to collect your data. Most frequently used methods include:

  1. Observation / Participant Observation
  2. Surveys
  3. Interviews
  4. Focus Groups
  5. Experiments
  6. Secondary Data Analysis / Archival Study
  7. Mixed Methods (combination of some of the above)

One particular method could be better suited to your research goal than others, because the data you collect from different methods will be different in quality and quantity. For instance, surveys are usually designed to produce relatively short answers, rather than the extensive responses expected in qualitative interviews.

What other factors should I consider when choosing one method over another?

Time for data collection and analysis is something you want to consider. An observation or interview method, so-called qualitative approach, helps you collect richer information, but it takes time. Using a survey helps you collect more data quickly, yet it may lack details. So, you will need to consider the time you have for research and the balance between strengths and weaknesses associated with each method (e.g., qualitative vs. quantitative).

Research Guides: Research Methods Guide: Research Design & Method (2024)

FAQs

What are the 4 parts of the research methodology? ›

Research methodology may vary in form from one project to another, but should always incorporate the following four elements.
  • Measurement Objectives.
  • Data Collection Processes.
  • Recommended Survey.
  • Reporting Plan.
Oct 28, 2016

What are research methods and research design? ›

Research design is a plan to answer your research question. A research method is a strategy used to implement that plan. Research design and methods are different but closely related, because good research design ensures that the data you obtain will help you answer your research question more effectively.

What are the 4 approaches to research design? ›

There are four common types of research design — descriptive, correlational, experimental, and diagnostic designs.

What is the step 4 of the research method? ›

Steps of the research process
  1. Step 1: Identify the Problem. ...
  2. Step 2: Review the Literature. ...
  3. Step 3: Clarify the Problem. ...
  4. Step 4: Clearly Define Terms and Concepts. ...
  5. Step 5: Define the Population. ...
  6. Step 6: Develop the Instrumentation Plan. ...
  7. Step 7: Collect Data. ...
  8. Step 8: Analyze the Data.

What are the four 4 contexts of research? ›

This paper explores how action research takes place within and between four contexts: adding practical value, improving institutions, developing professions, and contributing to theory.

What are the three main types of research design? ›

Depending on the overall research questions, research designs in marketing may fall into one of the following three categories:
  • Exploratory research design.
  • Descriptive research design.
  • Causal research design (experiments)

What is research design and examples? ›

A research design is a strategy for answering your research question using empirical data. Creating a research design means making decisions about: Your overall research objectives and approach. Whether you'll rely on primary research or secondary research.

What are the three approaches to research? ›

The three common approaches to conducting research are quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. The researcher anticipates the type of data needed to respond to the research question.

What are the 5 methods in qualitative research? ›

The Five Qualitative approach is a method to framing Qualitative Research, focusing on the methodologies of five of the major traditions in qualitative research: biography, ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, and case study.

What is the difference between a research design and a research method? ›

For Durrheim (2004:29), research design is a strategic framework for action that serves as a bridge between research questions and the execution, or implementation of the research strategy. Schwardt (2007:195) defines research methodology as a theory of how an inquiry should proceed.

What is the difference between methodology and research design? ›

the main difference between research methods and research design is that research design is the overall structure of the research study whereas research methodology are the various processes, procedures, and tools used to collect and analyze data.

What is the difference between methodology and method? ›

Methods are just behavior or tools used to select a research technique. Methodology is analysis of all the methods and procedures of the investigation. Methods are applied during the later stage of the research study. Methodologies are applied during the initial stage of the research process.

What is the primary research method? ›

Primary research – what is it? Primary research involves gathering data that has not been collected before. Methods to collect it can include interviews, surveys, observations or any type of research that you go out and collect yourself.

What are the four 4 major steps in developing a research problem? ›

  • Step 1 – Choose a General Research Topic. This is the starting point for your research. ...
  • Step 2 – Find Background Information. ...
  • Step 3 – Translate Your Interest into a Research Question. ...
  • Step 4 – Further Modifying Your Topic.
Feb 15, 2024

What are the key elements of research methodology? ›

The key components of research methodology include the research design, data collection methods, data analysis techniques, and ethical considerations.

What are the main points of research methodology? ›

A research methodology provides a framework and guidelines for researchers to clearly define research questions, hypotheses, and objectives. It helps researchers identify the most appropriate research design, sampling technique, and data collection and analysis methods.

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