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OVERVIEW OF
RESEARCH DESIGN &
RESEARCH PROCESS
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research Design

It is the logical and systematic

planning and directing a piece of
research, results from
translating a general scientific
model into varied research
procedures. It gives an outline of
the structure and process of the
research program.
Types of Research design

 Descriptive vs. Analytical

 Applied vs. Fundamental

 Quantitative vs. Qualitative

 Conceptual vs. Empirical

Exploratory Research
It is an initial research conducted to clarify and
define the nature of problem. Exploratory study
provides information to use in analysing a
situation.
Exploratory Research Methods
 Literature Method

 Experience Method

 Focus Group

 Analysis of Selected Cases

Descriptive research
 Descriptive research, also known as
statistical research, describes data and
characteristics about the population or
phenomenon being studied. Descriptive
research answers the question who, what,
where, when and how.
Descriptive Research Methods
 Case Studies

 Observational Research

 Survey Research

 Archival Research
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
Definition:
“Systematic observation of phenomena for
the purpose of learning new facts or
testing the application of theories to
known facts is known as experimental
research”
 STAGES OF CONDUCTING AN
EXPERIMENT
 Specify the sample groups
 Divide the sample group

1 Control group
2 Test group
 Determine time scale & frequency of
sampling.
 Performing the experiment
 Gather data
TYPES OF ERRORS AFFECTING
RESEARCH DESIGN
Definition
“The total error is the variation between the
true mean value of the population and the
observed mean value obtained in the
research”
 Non Sampling error
1:Non-Response error
2:Response error
 Response error
1:Research error
a) Surrogate information error
b) Measurement error
c) Population definition error
d) Sampling frame error
e) Data analysis error
2: Interview error
 Respondent error
 Questioning error
 Recording error
 Cheating error

3: Respondents error
 Inability error
 Unwillingness error
 RESEARCH PROCESS
Research Methodology
 Research methodology is a method to solve the
research problem systematically. It involves
gathering data, use of statistical techniques,
interpretations and drawing conclusions about the
research data. It is a blueprint, which is followed
to complete the study. It is similar to builders’
blueprint for building a house.
Difference between Management
and Research Problem

 Management problem involves “what needs

to be done?” Research problem essentially
involves determining “what information
needs to be provided and how can the
information be obtained?”
MANAGEMENT PROBLEM

 Develop the package for a new product

 To select a media for product advertising
 Increase the amount of repurchase behaviour of
the customer
 introduce new product
RESEARCH PROBLEM
 Evaluate the effectiveness of alternative package design
 We should conduct an investigation to determine suitable
media. Evaluate theImpact of the media in terms of reach
 Assess current amount of repeat purchase behaviour
 Design a test market through which the likely acceptance of
new product can be gauged
Difference between a Manager and a
Researcher
 Position in the organization
 Responsible
 Activity involved
 Involvement
 Training
 Knowledge
Research Design / Plan
 Research design is one of the important steps in
marketing research. It helps in establishing the
manner researchers go about to achieve the
objective of the study. The preparation of a
research design involves a careful consideration
of the following questions and making appropriate
decisions about them:
How to Design a Research Plan? Steps
Involved In Designing a Research
 Formulate the problem
 Evaluate the cost of research
 Prepare the list of information
 Research design decision
 Data collection
 Select the sample type
 Determine the sample size
 Organize the field work
 Analyse the data and report preparation
TYPES OF BUSINESS
RESEARCH
 Exploratory Studies
 Descriptive Research
 Casual Research
 Experimental Research
 RESEARCH PROBLEM FORMULATION
RESEARCH PROJECT VERSUS
RESEARCH PROGRAM
 Business research process began with the
assumption that the research investigator
wished to gather information to achieve a
specific objective.
 Business research is not a one-shot
approach. Research is a continuous process.

 Research project is conducted for every
aspect of a program.
 A research program refers to a firm’s overall
strategy for utilizing business research. This
program is a planning activity that places
each research project into the company’s
strategic plan.
STEPS IN THE RESEARCH
PROCESS
 Defining the Research Problem
 Formulation of the Problem
 Formulation of Hypothesis
 Developing the Research Plan
 Collecting Data
 Analyzing Data
 Preparation of Report
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Research problem refers to
some difficulties which a researcher
experiences in the context of both a
theoretical or practical situation
and wants to obtain a solution for
the same.
COMPONENTS OF
RESEARCH
PROBLEM
 There must be an individual or a group
which has some difficulty or the
problem.
 There must be some objectives to be
attained at.
 There must be alternative means (or
the course of action) for obtaining the
objectives one wishes to attain.
 There must remain some doubt in the
mind of researcher with regard to the
selection of alternatives.
 There must be some environments to
which the difficulty pertains.
FORMULATION OF THE
PROBLEM
Formulation of the problem
means defining the problem
precisely. In other words, a
problem well defined is
half solved.
STEPS INVOLVED IN
DEFINING RESEARCH
PROBLEM
1. Statement of the problem in a general way.
2. Understanding the nature of the problem.
3. Surveying the available literature.
4. Developing the idea through discussions.
5. Rephrasing the research problem into a working
proposition.
SIMPLE STEPS TO SOLVE
THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
1. Identify what is KNOWN.
2. Identify what is UNKNOWN.
3. Do the KNOWNS tell us anything about the
UNKNOWNS? (Make a list).
4. COMBINE the KNOWNS with UNKOWNS.
5. Identify its parts and wholes.
6.Trace its history and changes.
7.Identify its categories and
characteristics
8.Determine its value [to you as well].
9.Review and rearrange your answers.
ORIGINS OF THE PROBLEM

Origins of the problems are

nothing but how the problem
creates while research, this can
also be the sources, how the
problem is created.
PROBLEMS ARE
ORIGINATED BY
1. PRIMARY DATA
2. FORMULATIG OF THE PROBLEM
3. SAMPLES SELECTED FOR RESEARCH
4. RESEARCH DESIGN
5. CALCULATION ERROR
6.RESEARCHER FAILS TO UNDERSTAND
THE OBJECTIVE.
7.IF THE FEASIBILITY OF THE DATA IS
NOT EVALUATED
QUESTIONS WHICH
RESEARCHERS MAY ASK
THEMSELVES WHILE DEFINING
THE PROBLEM

1. Subject which is overdone should not be

normally chosen, for it will be a difficult
task to throw any light in such a case.
2. Controversial subject should not become
the choice of an average researcher.
3. Too narrow or too vague problems
should be avoided.
4.The selection of a problem must be
preceded by a preliminary study.
5.The subject selected for research
should be familiar and feasible.
6.The costs involved, the time factor are
few other criteria that must also be
considered in selecting a problem.
7.Related questions such as,
• Whether he is well-equipped in terms of his
background to carry out the research?
• Whether the study falls within the budget
he can afford?
• Whether the necessary cooperation can
obtained from those who must participate in
research as subjects?
We may conclude by saying that the task of
defining the research problem, very often,
follows a sequential pattern- the problem is
stated in a general way, the ambiguities are
resolved, thinking and rethinking process
helps to formulate & solve the problem so
that it may be a realistic one in terms of the
available data and resources and is also
analytically meaningful.
 THANK
YOU