Research Design

 During the research design, the researcher has to decide how to approach the study. This may be done qualitatively, quantitatively or combining both approaches known as the mixed methods (Creswell, 2014). Qualitative research is adopted where the research question can only be answered by exploring the perspectives or perceptions of the participants . Usually this method is preferred when the sample size is small and the researcher is able to gather enough data to answer the research questions . The researcher may have to consider a smaller sample if saturation is reached quickly or a larger one if it takes more time to reach saturation (Kadam & Bhalerao, 2010). When the researcher is convinced that adequate data is gathered (realizes that nothing entirely new is gathered or no fresh insights obtained from participants) saturation is reached and the data analysis may commence 

However, researchers that need to compare relationships between data or variables may prefer the quantitative method which is suitable for gathering data on a larger scale. While the qualitative approach utilizes data collection instruments such as interviews, observation or focus groups, the quantitative approach uses tools like questionnaires or surveys to gather large scale data. In the next post we shall take a closer look at data collection instruments under both approaches. 

The research design that uses the qualitative approach may utilize any of five methods which include narrative research, phenomenology, ethnography, grounded theory or case studies (Creswell, 2014). A research design that follows the quantitative approach will determine whether the research question is best answered by using an experimental, quasi-experimental (less rigorous experiment) or non-experimental (correlational studies) 

                                                                           Reference

Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA Sage. 

Kadam, P. & Bhalerao, S.(2014). Sample Size Calculation. International Journal of Ayurveda Research vol 1(1), 55-57. Https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-7788.59946 

Research Questions and Hypotheses

 Having identified the research problem and the research gap is defined, the researcher comes up with questions that guides the study. This is the research question needed to address the research problem. Depending on the research question, the researcher will be able to plan how to approach the study. For instance, an approach could require a qualitative, quantitative, or the mixed method (see research approaches in a later blog). While research questions are usually generated for qualitative research studies, the hypothesis (representing a claim to be tested) is used in quantitative studies

Literature review: what is it and how should researchers handle the process?

 A literature review is that part of the research process where study materials and other sources needed for the study are identified. During the literature review, a researcher gathers all the literature needed to support the study. This will include articles, journals, webpages, book excerpts etc.

In most cases, the literature review is conducted in these simple steps

1.       Collect articles, journals, books, magazines, videos, interview scripts and any material that is vital to the research study

2.       Search the literature for relevant material related to the research topic

3.       Analyze and interpret the literature to identify what issues are being discussed or addressed

4.       Identify gaps in the literature

5.       Start writing the literature review, discussing what earlier writers have researched and what has not been adequately addressed (i.e., the research gap). The process (which is often iterative is illustrated below)

Defining the Problem: From Social to Research Problems

Before social researchers can identify a problem, it must be something that virtually everyone is aware of. For instance, the problem of violence in poor neighborhoods is considered a social problem. However, it is not a research problem until it is agreed there is still something everyone does not know. This is why literature reviews are crucial in the research process because it identifies something those earlier scholars or researchers are missing. This is the research gap, and it sets the ball rolling for every research study. If a social problem is violence in poor neighborhoods (which everyone in the society knows about) a research problem is something not everyone knows about and should know. In this case, a research problem here will be "why is the crime rate higher in some cities than the others?"