Classification of Research design (3 types) Exploratory, Descriptive, casual research

Summary

This educational video delves into the classification of research designs, crucial for structuring effective research projects. It outlines three main types: Exploratory, used for undefined problems with methods like focus groups and case studies; Descriptive, detailing phenomena with cross-sectional and longitudinal designs; and Causal, determining cause-effect relationships through experiments. Each type is exemplified with practical scenarios, providing a comprehensive guide for researchers.

Takeaways

• 📚 Research design is the framework of methods and techniques chosen by a researcher to ensure effective and efficient project execution.
• 🔍 Exploratory research is conducted to understand a poorly defined problem and identify potential areas for future research.
• 👥 Focused groups, case studies, and in-depth interviews are common methods used in exploratory research to gather insights from various perspectives.
• 📊 Descriptive research provides an in-depth description of a phenomenon or population, focusing on 'what' rather than 'why'.
• 📈 Cross-sectional and longitudinal designs are used in descriptive research to collect data at a single point in time or over a period, respectively.
• 🔗 Causal research aims to establish cause and effect relationships between variables, often used to identify the reasons behind certain behaviors or outcomes.
• 🧪 One-shot case studies, before-after studies with or without controlled groups are methods used to conduct causal research and evaluate the impact of interventions.
• 🏢 Business organizations, social sciences, and health sectors are examples of areas where case study research is widely applied to analyze existing cases and draw comparisons.
• 📈 Longitudinal studies track the same individuals over time to observe changes, which can span from weeks to decades, providing a deep understanding of long-term effects.
• 📝 The script provides practical examples from various sectors, such as the juice bar owner's exploratory research and the cereal brand owner's causal research, to illustrate the application of different research designs.

Q & A

What is the definition of research design?

Research design is the framework of research methods and techniques chosen by a researcher, which lays the foundation for carrying out the project and ensures that the research is conducted effectively and efficiently.

What is exploratory research and why is it conducted?

Exploratory research is conducted to investigate a problem that is not clearly defined. It is used to gain a better understanding of the existing problem and identify issues that may be the focus of future research, typically when the problem is in a preliminary stage.

What are the three methods through which exploratory research can be conducted?

Exploratory research can be conducted through focused groups, case studies, and in-depth interviews.

How does a focused group method assist in exploratory research?

A focused group method allows a group of people with common backgrounds and experiences to express their ideas on the subject under study, helping researchers understand consumer opinions and attitudes.

What is the purpose of a case study method in research?

The case study method helps researchers analyze existing cases that have experienced a similar problem, allowing for a detailed understanding of variables and their impact on the current research.

How does an in-depth interview contribute to exploratory research?

In-depth interviews, conducted in person or by phone with open-ended questions, provide detailed and valuable information from subject matter experts that may not be available from public sources.

What is descriptive research and what does it focus on?

Descriptive research provides an in-depth description of the phenomenon or population under study, focusing more on the 'what' of the research subject rather than the 'why'.

What are the two ways to conduct descriptive research mentioned in the script?

Descriptive research can be conducted through cross-sectional design, where data is collected from different people at one time, and longitudinal design, where the same individuals are examined over a period of time.

How does a cross-sectional study differ from a longitudinal study?

A cross-sectional study collects data from a group of participants with varied characteristics at one time, while a longitudinal study examines the same individuals for changes over an extended period, which can range from weeks to decades.

What is causal research and what is its primary purpose?

Causal research is a method used to determine the cause and effect relationship between two variables, primarily used to identify the cause of a given behavior by observing variations in an independent variable with changes in the dependent variable.

What are the three types of causal research designs discussed in the script?

The three types of causal research designs are one-shot case study, before-after with controlled group, and before-after without controlled group.

How does a one-shot case study differ from a before-after study with and without a controlled group?

A one-shot case study observes a single group on a single occasion after an event, while a before-after study with a controlled group measures outcomes in both a treatment group and a control group before and after treatment, and a before-after study without a controlled group only measures the dependent variable in a single group before and after treatment.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Exploratory and Descriptive Research Designs

This paragraph introduces the concept of research design as a framework for methods and techniques in a research project. It emphasizes the importance of a good research design for effectiveness and efficiency. The paragraph then delves into two types of research designs: Exploratory and Descriptive. Exploratory research is aimed at investigating ill-defined problems to gain a better understanding without conclusive results. It is often used in preliminary stages of a problem. Three methods for conducting exploratory research are discussed: Focused group, Case study, and In-depth interview. Each method is explained with examples, such as a juice bar owner considering expanding juice selection and using a focus group to gauge consumer opinions. Descriptive research, on the other hand, provides an in-depth description of a phenomenon or population, focusing on 'what' rather than 'why'. It is suitable for understanding trends or event frequencies. An example of descriptive research is a clothing brand conducting a demographic survey to understand fashion trends among Indian shoppers.

05:04

📊 Cross-Sectional, Longitudinal, and Causal Research Designs

The second paragraph continues the discussion on research designs by focusing on Cross-sectional, Longitudinal, and Causal research types. Cross-sectional design involves collecting data from a diverse group at a single point in time, using variables like age, gender, and income. An example is healthcare research on calcium deficiency in children. Longitudinal design, in contrast, involves repeated observations of the same individuals over time, which can span from weeks to decades. An example given is a study of children with Down syndrome from birth to 10 years old. Causal research aims to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables. It is used to determine the impact of one variable on another. Three methods of causal research are outlined: One-shot study, Before-after with controlled group, and Before-after without controlled group. Each method is explained with practical examples, such as a cereal brand owner testing the impact of a new box design on sales by comparing two stores, one with the original packaging and the other with the new design. The paragraph concludes with a call to action for viewers to subscribe and share the video.

Keywords

💡Research Design

Research design refers to the structure or plan for conducting a research project. It outlines the methods and techniques chosen by a researcher to address a specific research question. In the video, research design is emphasized as the foundation for carrying out a project effectively and efficiently. The script discusses various types of research designs, such as exploratory, descriptive, and causal, each serving different research objectives.

💡Exploratory Research

Exploratory research is a type of research aimed at investigating a problem that is not clearly defined. It is used to gain a preliminary understanding of the problem and to identify issues that may require further investigation. In the script, the example of a juice bar owner considering expanding the variety of juices to attract more customers illustrates exploratory research, where the owner is uncertain and seeks more information.

💡Focused Group

A focused group is a research method where a selected group of individuals with common backgrounds and experiences discuss and share their opinions on a specific subject. This method is highlighted in the video as a way to gather qualitative data and insights into consumer attitudes and preferences. The script uses the example of a focus group to understand consumer opinions on purchasing a phone, such as screen size or brand value.

💡Case Study Method

The case study method involves an in-depth examination of a specific instance or situation to understand its complexities and draw insights. It is used in the video to explain how researchers can learn from existing cases with similar problems. An example given is the analysis of a successful orthopedic surgeon's knee surgery methods by other doctors to improve their own practices.

💡In-Depth Interview

An in-depth interview is a research technique where detailed information is obtained from a subject matter expert or participant through open-ended questions. This method is highlighted in the video as a way to gain valuable insights that may not be available from public sources. The script mentions interviewing an employee to understand job satisfaction levels as an example.

💡Descriptive Research

Descriptive research is focused on providing an in-depth description of a phenomenon or population. It aims to describe 'what' is happening rather than 'why'. The video uses the example of a clothing brand conducting demographic surveys to understand fashion trends among Indian shoppers, illustrating how descriptive research can reveal trends and patterns.

💡Cross Sectional Design

A cross-sectional design is a research approach where data is collected from a diverse group of individuals at a single point in time. This design is mentioned in the video as a way to understand the prevalence of certain characteristics within a population. An example provided is studying calcium deficiency among children in India to understand its current state.

💡Longitudinal Design

Longitudinal design involves observing the same individuals or groups over an extended period to detect changes or trends over time. The video explains that longitudinal studies can last from weeks to decades and are useful for observing changes and drawing long-term conclusions. An example given is a study tracking children with Down syndrome from birth to age 10.

💡Causal Research

Causal research is designed to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between two variables. It is crucial for determining the impact of one variable on another. In the video, causal research is exemplified by a cereal brand owner testing the effect of a new cereal box design on sales, aiming to understand if the packaging change influences sales.

💡One Shot Case Study

A one-shot case study is a research design where a single group is observed after a specific event or intervention. This method is mentioned in the video as a way to evaluate immediate effects, such as the impact of counseling sessions on school children's attitudes, without a control group for comparison.

💡Before-After Study

A before-after study measures the dependent variable before and after an intervention to assess the impact of the intervention. The video describes two types of before-after studies: with and without a controlled group. The example of salespeople receiving training and then having their sales compared before and after the training illustrates this method.

Highlights

Research design is the framework of research methods and techniques chosen by a researcher.

A good research design ensures that the research project is carried out effectively and efficiently.

Exploratory research is used to investigate a problem that is not clearly defined.

Exploratory research helps to identify problems that may be the focus of future research.

The juice bar owner's example illustrates the use of exploratory research to understand customer preferences.

Focused group method allows a group of people with common backgrounds to express their ideas on a subject.

Case study method helps to analyze existing cases with similar problems for more information.

In-depth interviews provide detailed information from subject matter experts not available in public sources.

Descriptive research provides an in-depth description of the phenomenon or population under study.

Descriptive research focuses on the 'what' of the research subject rather than the 'why'.

Cross-sectional design involves collecting data from many different people at one time.

Longitudinal design involves repeatedly examining the same individuals over a period of time.

Causal research is used to determine the cause and effect relationship between two variables.

Cereal brand owner's example shows how causal research can be used to test the impact of packaging on sales.

One-shot case study observes a single group on a single occasion after experiencing an event or intervention.

Before-after without controlled group measures the dependent variable before and after treatment introduction.

Before-after with controlled group compares outcomes in a treated group and a group that does not receive treatment.

The impact of sugar beet seed promotion on brand awareness is an example of a controlled before-after study.

Transcripts

Hello friends.

Today we are going to study classification of research design in detail.

Following points we are going to study in detail

with different examples in each and every point.

First of all let us understand meaning of research design.

Research design is the framework of research methods and techniques chosen by a researcher.

A research design lays the foundation for carrying out the project.

A good research design will ensure that

the research project is carried out effectively and efficiently.

So now, let us study in detail classification of research design.

Type one.

Exploratory research.

Exploratory research is defined as

research used to investigate a problem,

which is not clearly defined.

It is conducted to have a better understanding of the existing problem,

but will not provide conclusive results.

For such research,

a researcher starts with a general idea

and uses this research as a means to identify problems

that may be the focus of future research.

This investigation is generally carried out

when the problem is in a preliminary stage.

For example The owner of the juice bar believes that

increasing the variety of juices will increase the number of customers.

However he is not sure and needs more information.

The owner intends to conduct exploratory research

to find out whether expanding the juice selection

will allow him to gain more customers or not.

Following are three different ways through which we can do exploratory research.

1. Focused group

2. Case study

3. In Depth interview

Number one.

Focused group.

In this method,

a group of people is chosen

and allowed to express their ideas on the subject under study.

However, it is important to ensure that when choosing people in a focus group,

they must have common backgrounds and comparable experiences.

For example: A focus group helps researcher

to identify the opinions of consumers if they would buy a phone.

Such research can help the researcher understand

what the consumer values when buying a phone.

It can be the size of the screen,

the brand value,

or even the dimensions.

From which the organization can understand

the buying attitudes and opinions of consumers.

Number two.

Case study method.

Case study research can help researcher

to find out more information by carefully analyzing existing cases

that have experienced a similar problem.

The investigator just needs to make sure to analyze the case carefully

in regards to all variables present in the previous case against his own case.

It is widely used by business organizations

or the social sciences sector

or even in the health sector.

For example: A particular orthopedic surgeon has the highest success rate for performing knee surgeries.

Many other hospitals or doctors have dealt with this case

to understand and compare the method

in which this surgeon performs the procedure to increase his success rate.

Number three.

In-depth interview.

You can get a lot of information from public sources,

but sometimes in-depth interview can provide detailed information on the topic being studied.

An interview with a subject matter expert can provide you with valuable information

that a general public source will not be able to provide.

In-depth interviews are conducted in person or by phone,

which have open-ended questions to obtain meaningful information on the topic.

For example: An interview with an employee can give you more insights

to find out the degree of job satisfaction.

Type two.

Descriptive research

Descriptive research is a type of research

that provides an in-depth description of the phenomenon or population under study.

This methodology focuses more on the “what” of the research subject

than the “why” of the research subject.

Descriptive research is a good option

if you want to know the trends in a particular field or the frequency of an event.

For example A clothing brand that wants to understand fashion trends among Indian shoppers

will conduct a demographic survey of this region,

collect population data,

and then conduct descriptive research on this demographic segment.

Following are two different ways through which we can do descriptive research.

1. Cross sectional design

2. Longitudinal design

Number one.

Cross sectional design.

A cross-sectional study is a type of research design

in which data is collected from many different people at one time.

The data collected comes from a group of participants with varied characteristics

and demographics known as variables.

Age, gender, income, education, geographic location are examples of variables.

For example healthcare industry.

Scientists in healthcare might use cross-sectional research to understand

how children ages between 2-12 across India are prone to calcium deficiency.

Number two.

Longitudinal design.

In a longitudinal study,

researchers repeatedly examine the same individuals for any changes that may occur over a period of time.

Longitudinal studies are a type of correlational research

in which researchers observe and collect data on a number of variables

without trying to influence them.

This type of study can take place over a period of weeks, months, or even years.

In some cases, longitudinal studies can last several decades.

For example, a longitudinal study of children with Down syndrome could involve

studying of 100 children with this condition from birth to 10 years of age.

Type three.

Causal research

Causal research can be defined as

a research method used to determine the cause and effect relationship between two variables.

This research is primarily used to identify the cause of the given behavior.

Using causal research,

we decide what variations take place in an independent variable

with the change in the dependent variable.

For example, a cereal brand owner wants to know

if he will get more sales with his new cereal box design.

He would set up an experiment in two separate stores.

One will sell the cereal only in its original box

and the other with the new box.

They would then measure the difference between the sales based on the packaging of the cereal.

Following are three different ways through which we can do causal research.

1. One shot study

2. Before after with controlled group

3. Before after without controlled group

Number one.

One shot case study.

The one-shot case study is a research design in which

a single group is observed on a single occasion after experiencing some event, treatment, or intervention.

For example, the researcher wants to evaluate

the effects of counselling sessions on the attitudes of school children.

Number two.

Before after without controlled group.

In this design, a single group or test area is selected

and the dependent variable is measured before introduction of treatment.

Then the treatment is introduced

and the dependent variable is measured again after the treatment has been introduced.

For example, we know the sales made by the salespeople for specific period.

Now we provide them training for a specified period and then we measure sales.

Therefore, the comparison of sales made after training

with sales made during the corresponding period before training.

Number three.

Before after with controlled group.

In controlled before-after studies,

outcomes are measured before and after a treatment in a group,

that receives the treatment,

and in another group, that does not receive the treatment,

or that receives a different treatment.

The idea is that any confounding factor would impact both groups equally,

and therefore any difference in the data drawn from the two groups can be attributed to the experimental variable.

For example Measurement of impact of a sugar beet seed promotion on brand awareness.

First two group would be matched.

Attributes such as types of farm, dependency ratio for hand tools, etc.

would match with each group.

So that the group are interchangeable for the purpose of the test.

Friends.

Thanks you for watching my video.

If you like my video then please subscribes to my channel Management By Dr. Mitul Dhimar

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