Elements of research designThe research design should contain the following elementsTitle of the studyIntroductionStatement of the problemReview of previous studiesScope of the studyObjectives of the studyHypothesis to be tested

ContdOperational definition of conceptsGeographical area to be coveredReference periodMethodologySamplingTools for collection of dataPlan of analysisResearch reportTime schedule Financial budget

Contd.Title of the study-Enough information should be given in the title, to identify the study. The researcher should consider the following while selecting a title.The title should be specific to the area of the study. the title should indicate the topic of the study.The language of the title should be professional in nature but not dull.The title should be as brief as possible.

introductionUnder this heading a brief explanation of the origin of the problem should be given.Statement of the problem- After a brief introduction explaining the origin of the problem, the researcher should state the problem. While starting the problem use of clear, simple and concise statement is preferable.

Review of previous studies.under this head the researcher presents what is so far known about the problem under consideration. a review of the various studies enables the researcher to know the different areas covered by various studies, to concentrate on the areas where littleresearch has been carried out, to look into various merits and shortcoming of certain studies already completed and to verify the present findings with that of the previous ones.

Scope of the studythis heading gives an idea about the extent of the study. the scope of the study is dependent on several factors such as the time and money available with the investigator, availability of the sample, co-operation of the respondents and the like.

Objectives of the studythe task of the researcher is to lay down the objectives precisely. the objectives enlighten the researcher's own mind and lead to more efficient enquiry.once the objectives are settled the study can be undertaken with required accuracy and within the given resources.the objectives mentioned should be well within the scope of the study.

Hypothesis to be testedhypothesis is a proposition, condition or principle which is assumed, perhaps without belief in order to draw logical conclusions.hypotheses are formulated to explain observed facts, conditions, or behaviours and serve as aguide in the research process.

operational defination of conceptsall terms that might be ambiguous should be clarified. a clear understanding of the terms used in the study is important. it is necessary to identify and label the variables.Variables are things that change.

Variables.

The independent variable is the variable that is purposely changed. It is the manipulated variable. The dependent variable changes in response to the independent variable. It is the responding variable.

Geographical area to be coveredunder this head the area to be covered by the study is mentioned.

Reference period- the period of the study can be mentioned under this heading.

Methodologythe researcher should first determine the kind of information needed to answer the research questions.Secoundly he must know the sources of data and finally he must know the means by which he will gather information which is known as methodology.

SamplingSampling involves taking the portion of population, making observation on this smaller group and than generalizing the finding to be applied to a large population.the small group that is observed is called the sample and the large group is called population, the sample is the population of the population and it must be representative of the population.

Tools for collection of datathe choice of method for collecting the data is governed by the subject matter, the unit of enquiry and the scale of study.A study of the behaviour of a group would call for observational techniques, for a simple enquiry among the cross section of population, a questionnaire is adequate.

Plan of analysisonce the data have been collected, they must be reduced to meaningful resultsby statistical analysis so that the conclusion for generalization drawn from them.the researchre should describes how he plans to organize the data. he should decide statistical treatment.

Research Report the results should be communicated. the formate consists of three parts.Part I- preliminary pages, which contain title page, approval sheet, introduction, table of content, list of tables,(if any) and list of figures.Part II-Body of the report, which covers content chapter.Part III- Supplementary pages which include biblography appendix(if any) and index (if any)

time schedulethe researcher has to work out a time schedule for his research work. the time required includes the following.I time to be used for preparing the theoretical background.time to be used for preparing the data gathering devices such as questionnaire, interview schedule, record sheet.II time to be used for data collections.III time to be used for processing data.IV time to be used for writing the report.V time to be used for submitting the thesis.

Financial budjetit is desirable to work out the budget which gives an idea about the money needed to complet the project.

Important concepts relating research designingVariable: variable is the quantity that varies in the course of the research. in other word variables can be defined as a factor whose change or difference we study.Dependent Variables,Independent Variables,Extraneous Variables

Extraneous VariableExtraneous(coming from outside,(not relavent to the matter under consideration) variables are all variables other than the independent variables that affect the response of the test units. These variables can found the dependent variable measure in a way that weakness or invalidates the results of the experiment extraneous variable include store size. Store location, and competitive effort.

2. control A good research must be able to control all the variables.This requires randomization(arrangement of observation) at all stages. This shall ensure an adequate(having the resources to meet a task) control over the dependent variable. Research should be designed so as to minimize extraneous independent variable. This would help the researcher to have control over the study under consideration.

Confounded relationshipConfounded(confusion or full of difficulty by many conflicting situations) relationship when the dependent variable is not free from the influence of extraneous variable (S), the realationship between the dependent and independent variable is said to be confounded by an extraneous variable (s).

Research HypothesisA tentative(under terms not final or fully worked out) assumption which a researcher wants to test for its logical or empirical (derived from experiment and observation rather than theory)Consequences . Usually, Research hypothesis consist of atleast one independent and one dependent variables.

Type I and Type II error: Type I and Type II error: Type I error is an error made in Rejecting the null(lacking any legal or binding force) hypothesis,when infact its true.Type II error is an error made in excepting the null hypothesis when infact it is untrue. (Null=it is related to zero) something of no value or no importance.

ExperimentThe process of Examining the truth or otherwise of a Statistical hypothesis is known as experiment . An experiment is formed when the researcher manipulates(influence or control) one or more independent variables and measures their effect on one or more dependent variables while controlling for the effect of extraneous variables.

Experiment and control groups an experiment group is a group under consideration. Which is exposed to some new or special condition, which is not expected by the researchers. When a group under consideration is exposed to usual conditions is stated as control group.

Treatments The treatments conditions under which experimental and control groups are tested are referred to as treatments.

Experimental designExperiments design is a set of procedures specifying (1) The test units and how these units are to be divided ito homogenous subsamples, (2) what independent variables or treatments are to be manipulated (3) what dependent variables are to be measured, and (4) how the extraneous variable are to be controlled.

Test Units test are individuals, organizatiuons, or other entites whose response to the independent variable or treatments is being examined.principals of experimental design: There are 3 basic principals of experimental design,1. The principal of Replication.2. The principal of randomization.3. the principal of local control

The principal of replicationit suggests that the experiment should be repeatedmore than once. by doing so, the statistical accuracy of the experiments is increased. Experiments can be repeated with different subject group and conditions

The principal of randomization: randomization is the basic method by which equivalence between experimental and control group is determined. experimental and control groups must be established so that they are equal.randomization involves random assignment of test units to experimental groups by using random numbers. Treatment conditions are also randomly assigned to experimental groups. as a result of random assignment , extraneous factors can be represented equally in each treatment conditions. randomization is the preferred procedure for ensuring the prior equality of experimental gropus , however randomization may not be effective when the sample size is small b coz randomization merely produces groups that are equal an average it is possible to check whether randomization as been effective by measuring deposable extraneous variables and comparing then across experimental groups.

The principal of local controlthis involves measuring the extraneous variables and adjusting for their effects through statistical analysis. more advanced stalactical procedures. such as analysis of variance ( ANOVA) are used for the purpose in ANOVA effects of the extraneous variable on the dependent variable are removed by an adjustment of the dependent variables mean value with in each treatment condition according to this principal the field should be divided into homogeneous parts equal to number of treatment each part is known as block.

Typs of reserach design the mqrketing research designs are classified on the basis of the fundamental objective vof the reasearch the may be exploratory or conclusive.1. exploratory research a. Search of secondery data or literature search b. survey of knowledgeble persons or experiance survey c. focus groups d. case study

2. conclusive research

a. descriptive Researchb. Longitudinal study c. cross sectional studyd. Experimentatione. labroratory experimentsf. Field Experimentg. Casual reserach

Exploratory(discovery) research Design Exploratory research(exploring in order to gain information) Design Seeks to discover new relationship between several facts. it discovers ideas and insights(clear in deep). the researcher is involved in investigating an area in which no sufficient knowledge is available and no clear hypotheses have been developed about the problem. the major purpose of the exploratory research design in the clear identification of problems segregating from irrelevent variables and alternatives.

Contd... Exploratory research reveals(make visible) the most likely explanations of various problems associated with a phenomenon(A remarkable developement). for market research can be explore various hypotheses(A proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations) in each mix of the market, viz., product, price, promotion and distribution. the exploratory study may be used to clarify concepts and the causes of problems. it generates information about the practical possibilities of research. it used to increase the analysis familiarity with the problem.

Literature research:- Literature research is the discussion of existing data and developments within a particular incidence or phenomena(A remarkable developement). It is aimed at,revealing(make-visible) shortcomings, developments and ideas for future research in that field. Literature research usually shows the advancement of findings throughout time. Experiance-survey:- (Experience Surveys) Discussions with knowledgeable individuals, both inside and outside the organization, who may provide insights into the deep information about the survey.

focus groups:-

A focus group is a form of qualitative(involving comparisons based on qualities) research in which a group of people are asked about their perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes towards a product, service, concept, advertisement, idea, or packaging. Questions are asked in an interactive group setting where participants are free to talk with other group members. Focus groups were originally called "focused interviews" or "group depth interviews".

case study:-A process or record of research in which detailed consideration is given to the development of a particular matter over a period of time.A particular instance of something used or analyzed to illustrate a principle.survey of experts:- Discussion with the decision maker and expert helps researcher in identifying problems. these experts may be found both inside and outside the firm.

pilot study

A pilot study is a small scale experiment or set of observation undertaken to decide how and wheather to launch a full scale poject. the pilot study is a dress rehearsal and it provides guidence on the following.

1. the adequacy(the quality of being sufficient for the end in view) of the sampling frame to be followed for the survey.2. the pilot study enables the researcher to acquire prior3. knowledge about the population to be sampled.4. the suitable method of collecting the data from the alternative methods such as observation

Contd..5. the pilot study provides training to the interviewers.QUESTIONNAIRE AND INTERVIEW SCHEDULE CAN BE FOUND OUT FROMTHEPILOT STUDY.

Categories of pilot studies

The categories of pilot studies are based on the purpose they serve;

1. testing the quality of the mailing list.(a list of names and addresses)2. checking the percentage of returns.3.checking on how well questions are undrstood and answerd.4. checking the usefulness of information received.5. checking or even establishing a cost estimate.

Basic principals1. each pilot study has to be conducted among a random sample of the universe surveyed. a blased sample as regards geographic division,sex, age or any other criterion would be wrong.2. the numbers of questionnaire to be mailed in a test study should be large enough as to make the results meaningful for the purpose of the test.3. we must not try to measure more than one variable at a time.

Pilot studies are worth doingpilot studies are sometimes omitted(The term omitted means prevented from being included or accepted, or considered). bcoz of time and cost considerations. a little advance planning can reduce both the time and cost needed for testing. if the questionnaire is carefully constructed, the results of the test will not include the need for any major change. it is obvous that pilot studies can guide the researcher and they considerably improve the quality of his research. once the pilot study is over, the research worker should ask himself whether the study needs any modification either in the objective of the study or in the scope of the study.

Pre testingan exam taken before the exam that counts. it's for practice

Pre testing helps in enriching(make better or improve in quality) the design of the questonnaire and assists in testing the validity and reliability of statistical techniques to be adopted. all aspects including layout, question sequence word meaning, question difficulty, branching instructions and so on should be part of the pretest.

Conclusive researchConclusive research involves the use of highly structured techniques (such as questionnaires with closed questions) conclusive research is meant to provide information that is useful in reaching conclusions or decision-making. It tends to be quantitative in nature, that is to say in the form of numbers that can be quantified and summarized.

Contd....The purpose of conclusive research is to provide a reliable or representative picture of the population through the use of a valid research instrument. In the case of formal research, it will also test hypothesis.

Conclusive research can be sub-divided into two major categories: 1. Descriptive or statistical research, and

2. Causal research

What is Descriptive Research?

Descriptive research, used often in social sciences and market research, is the study of how a particular group, person, or thing behaves. Observations are noted without influence

Descriptive research designDescriptive research design is a type of research method that is used when one wants to get information on the current status of a person or an object. It is used to describe what is in existence in respect to conditions or variables that are found in a given situation.

Descriptive research designmuch of the marketing research is concerned with the description of the phenomenon say for example marketing mix, market performance research, promotion research , promotion research, distribution research, pricing research and competition research are based on the descriptive research design. These studies often describe the relationship between two or more variables. the relationship between the variables may be used for prediction purposes. descriptive design can be a sound basis for making predictions pertaining to specific marketing problems,although it does not explain the nture of the relationship involved.