Characteristics of Good Research Design
You must create a strategy to gather and analyse data, overcome obstacles, and arrive at a conclusion before beginning any research.
A thorough plan will give your study direction, hone your research techniques, and position it for success. In the world of academia, this elaborate strategy is known as research design.
1. Objectivity
It refers to data collection and scoring results. The research design should allow objective measuring instruments so that every observer or judge scoring the performance gives the same score. Thus, the procedure’s objectivity can be assessed by the degree of agreement between independent observers’ final scores for different individuals. This ensures data objectivity for analysis and interpretation.
2. Reliability
It means measurement consistency. If a respondent answers a question once, he must answer it again. He loses consistency by changing his response to the same item. The researcher should frame questionnaire items to ensure consistency or reliability.
3. Validity
Valid measuring devices measure what they’re supposed to. For instance, an IQ test should only measure intelligence, and the questionnaire should reflect that.
4. Generalizability
How to use sample data to draw generalizations about a large group from which the sample was drawn. Thus, a research design helps an investigator generalize his findings if he carefully defines the population, selects the sample, derives appropriate statistical analysis, etc. Thus, a good research design is methodologically prepared and allows generalization. Our research problem should have the following to ensure generalization.
- The problem is well-defined.
- Defined population.
- The best sampling methods are used.
- Proper statistical analysis was done.
- Study findings are generalizable.
5. Required Information
A good research design must provide enough information to analyze the research problem broadly. Considerations like;
- Determining the research question
- Research goal
- Information gathering
- Enough skilled labour
- Research funding.
Flexibility, adaptability, efficiency, economy, and other qualities make a good research design. Good research designs minimize bias and maximize reliability and generalization.
Reference
- Jaiswal, Sarvesh, and Shivani. “5 Types of Research Design – Elements and Characteristics | Emeritus India.” Emeritus – Online Certificate Courses | Diploma Programs, 28 July 2022, emeritus.org/in/learn/types-of-research-design.
- https://euacademic.org/BookUpload/9.pdf