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Unit 3 Research Design

Unit
3 Research Design

Learning Outcomes

After learning this unit, the learners will be able to:

◆ gain insight on the need to develop a blueprint of research study.
◆ familiarise with the various types of research designs.
◆ differentiate between exploratory research design and conclusive research
design.

Background

Before approving a construction, an architect creates a blueprint. The architect
decides how big the building will be, how many rooms it will have, how these rooms
will be approached in the architectural plan, and what building materials does he intend
to use? Perhaps he will make all decisions based solely on the purpose for which the
building will be used. Similarly, before launching an attack, an army develops a strategy.
Before putting his ideas into action, an artist creates a design. So also the researcher
makes a plan of his study before he/she undertakes research work. This will enable the
researcher to save time and resources. Such a plan of study or blueprint for study is
called a research design.

Keywords

Research design, Exploratory Research design, Descriptive Research design, Diagnostic
Research design

32 SGOU - SLM -MCom Research Methodology