General Information about Research Design - Essay Example

Research Methodology Table of Contents General information about research design 3 Advantages and disadvantages of semi structured interview 3 Advantages and disadvantages of questionnaires 5 Qualitative and quantitative research method and mixed method approach 5 Reliability and validity of the research and how we can verify it 6 Reference 7 General information about research design Research design is one of the most crucial parts of a research. It is a sort of systematic plan to analyze and understand the specific problem of the research or investigation. The research design also helps the researchers to understand the type of evaluation required such as descriptive, correlation, experimental, semi-experimental, and meta-analytic or reviews. With the help of studies such as descriptive, experimental or meta analytic, the research question, hypothesis experimental design and the data collection methods might be analyzed very easily. Moreover, research design also helps to evaluate the independent and dependent variables as well as the statistical plans of the entire research. If all these above mentioned aspects might be known, then it might prove effective for the researcher or the investigator to evaluate the main points of the research question and whether it is useful for the future steps of the research or not. The research design also acts as a tool to evaluate, whether the investigation is fixed or variable. The researcher might analyze, which type of research design such as qualitative or quantitative might be used. Furthermore, if the research design is develop with the help of hypothesis, the choice of grouping the researchers might be easily evaluated. Thus, it might be stated that, it is the research design that acts as the catalyst in analyzing the entire effectives of the research project or study (Leavy, 2014, 351-357). Advantages and disadvantages of semi structured interview Semi structured interviews is a sort of interview that is entirely based on a specific list of questions or a specific set of questions. Moreover, semi-structured interview might also be based on certain specific topics so as to understand the personality and attitude of an individual. This type of interviews is conducted in an informal way in order to gather varied types of information and facts regarding the candidate. This makes an interpersonal relationship within the two individual (management and the candidate) that enhances their trust and reliability among one-another. Although, it is not followed but it includes some advantages, presented below. In-depth information: With the help of this interview process, an in-depth evaluation of the ideas and facts of the candidate over a specific topic might be analyzed. It helps the management to evaluate the inner strengths and weaknesses of the candidate and whether he or she is appropriate for the job or not. Experiences might be shared: In this type of interview process, varied types of previous experiences are shared by the candidate with the management at the time of answering the topic or questions. This helps to analyze the behaviour or personality of the candidate. Different perspectives are discussed: At the time of answering the question informally, varied types of internal perspectives of the candidate are discussed in front of the management that presents a clear image of the candidate. It is extremely useful for the management, as it helps to evaluate, whether the candidate might adjust with the prevailing culture of the organization or not. Moreover, whether the candidate would retain for long or not, with the organization. The process of semi-structured interview also includes varied types of disadvantages. These are also depicted below. Difficult to generate the conclusions: In this type of interview, the entire process is conducted informally and so it is extremely difficult to generate the conclusions. Researchers need to avoid biasness: After analyzing the solutions of this interview, the researcher needs to avoid biasness in order to generate the exact findings. Analysis is extremely time-consuming: The entire process of the semi-structured interview is based on informal method. So varied types of issues and experiences are discussed within such interviews. So, it is extremely difficult to analyze or evaluate the exact findings of the questions (Leavy, 2014, 363-368). Advantages and disadvantages of questionnaires Questionnaires are considered as one of the most important part of the research process. But, along with certain advantages, it also includes certain disadvantages. All of them are presented below. Advantages: Practical: The method of questionnaire is considered as one of the most practical method. With the help of this method, varied types of solutions or information are gathered, related to the research question or topic. This process helps the researcher to analyze the exact solution of the research topic or question very easily. Large amounts of information might be gathered from varied individual within a short time frame: Numerous facts might be gathered from varied individual within a very small time frame, so as to evaluate the findings. So, it is highly preferred by all researchers. Disadvantages: Information is argumentative: All the information obtained from this method is argumentative as various individual views are used in it. So, in numerous cases, such type of method is not followed. Lacks validity: This method of questionnaires lacks validity and so its level of preference is low as compared to others (Leavy, 2014, 335-341). Qualitative and quantitative research method and mixed method approach Qualitative research method is used mainly in case of flexible research findings. This means, the solution or findings of the research is evaluated with the help of data collection methods, within a limited time frame. Moreover, in such type of research methods, secondary data collection methods are used such as official documents, annual reports, field motes etc so as to gather varied types of information related to the research. However, quantitative research methods are used, in case of hypothesis or experiment related researches. It is entirely based on structured data such as questionnaire attained from varied individual so as to analyze the solution. But mixed research method utilizes both qualitative as well as quantitative methods in order to evaluate the results. In this method, both primary as well as secondary data collection methods are used to evaluate the final results (Leavy, 2014, 373-375). Reliability and validity of the research and how we can verify it Reliability and validity issues are extremely essential within a qualitative research. In order to verify the issues of reliability and validity, varied types of prominent sources are used at the time of collection of data or information related to the research. This helps to analyze the most appropriate results or solutions for the research topic so as to reduce any sort of further questions (Leavy, 2014, 381-383). Reference Leavy, P. (2014). The Oxford Handbook of Qualitative Research. London: Oxford University Press. Read More