Define Research Design and the “Purpose of the Study”. [1+3]
Research Design: A master plan specifying the methods and procedures for collecting and analyzing data
- Exploratory: Used when little is known about the situation.
- Descriptive: Describes the characteristics of variables** (who, what, where, when).**
- Explanatory: Explains relationships. It encompasses Correlational (identifying associated factors) and Causal (establishing cause-and-effect) studies.
Define Unit of Analysis and distinguish levels. [2]
- Unit of Analysis: Refers to the level of aggregation of the data during analysis (e.g., individual, group, organization).
- Dyad Example: A study focusing on two-person interactions, such as husband-wife, supervisor-subordinate, or teacher-student relationships, treats the pair (Dyad) as the unit of analysis rather than the individuals.
Classify research based on Researcher Control of Variables.
- Contrived: Research conducted in an artificial setting (e.g., a lab experiment) where the researcher manipulates variables.
- Non-contrived: Research conducted in a natural environment (e.g., a field experiment).
- Ex-post-facto: A design where the researcher has no control over the variables and only reports what has already happened or is happening. Surveys are considered ex-post-facto because they measure existing variables without manipulation.
Critically examine Mail Questionnaires. [2]
Disadvantages: Low response rate, interviewer’s absence (cannot clarify doubts), no control over the order of questions, cannot capture non-verbal behavior, and non-literates cannot participate
Increasing Response Rate: Techniques include using a cover letter, offering monetary incentives, ensuring questions are interesting, sending follow-up notifications, and survey sponsorship
Discuss Questionnaire Design flaws. [3]
Double-Barreled Questions: Joining two questions into one, making the answer ambiguous (e.g., “Does this company have pension and health insurance?”).
Leading Questions: Wording that pushes the respondent toward a specific choice (e.g., “You don’t smoke, do you?”).
Loaded Questions: Questions that are emotionally charged or suggest a socially desirable answer (e.g., “Should the city repair all broken roads?” or asking about abuse).
