Research Designs

Game Plans for Data-Driven Decisions

Research designs are the game plans used to investigate the problem of interest. You must clearly define the problem and purpose of the study--be crystal clear about what you need to know so that you can make data-driven decisions. Choose the design that will answer the research questions or test hypotheses. Thinking ahead, the statistical analysis must match your design.

Descriptive studies simply describe "what is". They are often used in studies that concern opinions, perceptions, knowledge, and the like. Surveys, qualitative studies, case studies, and trend studies fall into this category. Example: General education teachers' perceptions of the effectiveness of No Child Left Behind in Sullivan County, TN.

Correlational studies describe the extent of relationships or associations between variables, but the relationships noncausal. For example, The relationship between customer satisfaction and help desk response time at Company XYZ.

Experimental studies show causal relationships between two or more variables. The effect of two different training programs on employee productivity is an example. It would allow researchers to test the null hypotheses, there is no significant difference between the two methods.

Causal comparative, or ex post facto (after the fact) research compares the effects of two or more attribute (qualities that do not change) variables on dependent variables. For example, the effect of gender on science achievement.

Methods can be combined, although one is usually chosen as primary. For example, a survey (descriptive design) of golfers' attitudes about warm up could be used to draw associations (correlational design) between attitudes and injury.

It can be confusing when trying to decide which method and analysis will best attack your problem. Whether for your business, organization, or graduate study, Research Assessment Adviser can help you design your research to find the answers you seek.

Related pages:

Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research

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