The Research design it is the framework with which a researcher plans his research. It includes the type of research, its objective, techniques, population, data analysis and the procedure to carry out the study.
In other words, the research design sets the parameters for any research. Determines what is included and what is not, and defines the criteria by which the results will be evaluated.
The reliability and validity of any study will depend on how the data collected is collected, measured, analyzed, and interpreted. That is why a good research design is essential for any research proposal, be it a thesis or a scientific study..
The research design establishes the structure of the research, as well as its nature. Likewise, both the variables and the tools to be used to study these variables and what technique will be used are specified..
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The research must be free of personal opinions, and its results must be free from ideological biases or of any other type. It must be objective.
Reliability refers to the probability that similar results will be obtained with similar methods.
In this sense, it is necessary to indicate how the information will be collected and in what way it will be analyzed, to ensure a reliable model: so the experiment can be repeated over and over again..
Research that uses appropriate measurement techniques and tools will be valid, according to which the researcher can measure the results according to the objective studied..
Validity and reliability are the foundations for all research design.
The result of the research may be applicable to larger groups, to the entire population, and not only to the restricted segment on which the study was carried out..
The research design includes several elements:
Let's take a closer look at the elements:
The reason why you want to investigate a certain problem and why it is important is established; it usually starts from a social and practical need. The relevance of the problem to society, who it affects and how is explained.
The objectives respond to questions such as "what is intended?", "To what extent?", "Where?", "How will the intended be achieved?", "For what?".
These objectives, which will range from the general to the most particular, must be stated as clearly as possible, with simple and direct language..
Research can be classified into quantitative (there are numerical values) and qualitative (something is studied that cannot be measured numerically).
Once you have decided what type of general research is going to be carried out (quantitative or qualitative), depending on the objective there may be several subtypes:
Hypotheses are the explanations or solutions that are tentatively given to a phenomenon. They are stated in the form of propositions - affirmative or negative - and involve the variables.
A hypothesis must be clear and precise, specific, capable of verification and be supported empirically or theoretically. Here the samples taken, the affected population, the variables and the links established between them will be important..
The population is the broad group from which data will be collected, experimented with, or investigated. The sample is the specific subgroup within the population.
For example, in an investigation on obesity in the population of Mexico, the population would be all Mexicans. The sample could be 100,000 inhabitants of Mexico City.
Techniques are the specific ways in which data about the object of study will be collected. They may be:
Research design also includes data analysis. The data can be analyzed qualitatively (the subjectivity and reasoning of the researcher is used) or quantitatively (quantitative data are measured with statistical programs).
The procedure is the specific steps that will be carried out in the investigation. That is, it explains in detail how the samples are selected, how data will be collected, how they will be analyzed, the places used and other aspects that depend on each particular investigation..
Now that we know the characteristics and elements of the research design, we can go on to explain how to do one step by step. For this we will use an example of an investigation on COVID-19.
In the first step, the researcher selects what to investigate specifically.
The general objective and the specific ones are specifically detailed.
In the type of research we will explain if it is quantitative or qualitative and within these which subtype.
Not all investigations establish a hypothesis. For example, in a qualitative investigation that describes how a species of whale behaves, a hypothesis is not established.
It is also necessary to explain which data collection technique will be used.
In the research design it is important to explain how we will analyze the data we have obtained.
In another case of qualitative research, as in an observation, it would be explained that the data will be analyzed qualitatively, taking into account the subjectivity of the researcher.
The procedure explains the specific steps that will be taken to conduct the investigation..
Below is a simplified example of a research design on a traffic gas pollution investigation in Mexico City.
Pollution levels in Mexico City have continued to rise, due to population growth and the higher emission of pollutants released by cars. To know the real situation, it is necessary to measure the objective amount of gases released by the city's cars. (Definition of the problem).
Our overall goal is to determine the amount of gases released by cars. (Research objective).
For our objective we will quantitatively measure the amount of gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), released by automobiles, placing a measuring device on them. With this we will try to describe the exact amount of gases released each day. (Type of research, in this case quantitative and descriptive).
In this case, there is no specific hypothesis, we simply want to know the amount of polluting gases released into the atmosphere in Mexico City. (Hypothesis).
To carry out our research we will take a sample of 3000 cars from Mexico City in which a CO₂, CO and NOx measuring device will be placed. (Population and data collection technique).
We will wait a month and once the gas measurement devices have been collected, we will analyze the data with the SPSS statistical program. (Analysis of data).
The procedure to carry out the investigation will begin with the purchase of the devices for measuring and observing their correct operation. Once we are sure they are working well, we will continue our search for volunteers. Appointments will then be made with each volunteer to place the measuring device in the car and explain how it works. They will wait 30 days for the data collection, during which a telephone line will be established to solve doubts and problems for the volunteers. Finally, the devices will be collected and the data will be analyzed. (Process).
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