Internal
Links
An Overview of Research Design
External
Links
blank
      -  Summary:
1.   Select a Topic
2.   Formulate a Thesis Statement...
3.   Choose the Types of Analyses
4.   Research & Write a Literature Review
      & Refine the Thesis
5.   Formulate the Research Objectives & Questions
6.   Conceptualize a topic
7.   Choose Research Method / the Research Instrument
8.   Operationalize concepts / construct the instrument
  9.   Formulate the Data Collection Strategy
10.  Obtain HIC Approval
11.  Perform a Pilot Study
12.  Collect Data
13.  Prepare the Data for processing & analysis
14.  Process & Analyze Data
15.  Interpret & make Inferences about Data
16.  Write the Research Paper
17.  Write Final HIC Report
blank
blank
See Also:  An Overview of Methods
Link
 blank
1.  Selecting a Topic is the first step in research design.  The task is to pick the broad area of investigation, which will be narrowed down in successive steps
Link
blank
See:  In-Class Project:  Brain Storming
Link
blank
See:  Webbing & Brainstorming the Topic
Link
blank
2.  The Formulation of the Thesis narrows the Topic so that a Type of Analysis can be applied to establish Research Objectives
Link
blank
See:  Writing the Thesis
Link
blank
See:  Refine the Thesis:  add Types of Analysis
Link
blank
Review:  The Types of Analysis
Link
blank
3.  The Choice of the Type of Analysis determines the mode of inquiry (descriptive, correlation, comparison, etc.) which will be used to achieve the Research Objectives
Link
blank
4.   Researching & Writing a Literature Review allows the Researcher to Refine the Thesis
Link
blank
See: Scholastic Sources
Link
blank
Evaluation of the Literature Review
Link
 blank
5. The Formulation of Research Objectives ( ROs ) from the Types of Analysis ( TOA ) is accomplished by utilizing the TOAs to formulate Research Questions, or Hypotheses
Link
blank
6. The Conceptualization of the topic is the process whereby specification & refinement of abstract concepts used in the research is accomplished
Link
blank
Common Factors & Concepts
Link
blank
Ideal Types
Link
  Units of Analysis
Link
 blank
7.  The Choice of methodology / of the Research Instrument is where the Researcher chooses the data collection tool, such as a survey, experiment, etc. to achieve the Research Objectives
Link
blank
8. Operationalization is the development of specific research procedures (operations) such as survey questions, experimental protocol, interview schedules, observation protocol, etc., that result in empirical observation representing those concepts in real world
Link
blank
9.  The formulation of the Data Collection Strategy determines the procedures by which the Research Instrument will be applied to suitable Research Participants; e.g. what are the procedures used for giving out a survey 
Link
blank
Consent & Confidentiality in Research
Link
blank
Moral, Ethical & Privacy Issues in Social Research  
blank
Sampling Issues should be contemplated throughout the Research Design Process, but must be finalized during Operationalization of the Research Instrument 
Link
blank
10.  The obtaining of the HIC's approval ensures Legal & Ethical Research Responsibilities are met
Link
blank
11 The Performance of a Pilot Study allows the Researcher a trial run for the study so that any problems, omissions or other anomalies can be addressed
Link
blank
12Collect Data utilizing efficient, effective & ethical methodological practices as delineated in the Data Collection Strategy
Link
blank
13The Preparation of Data for processing & analysis is determined by the type of data collected by the Research Instruments in that Data Preparation is quite different for surveys & content analysis, etc.
Link
blank
14Processing & Analyzing Data is determined by the type of data collected by the Research Instruments in that Data Preparation is quite different for surveys & content analysis, etc.
Link
blank
15.  The Interpretation & making Inferences about Data allows the Researcher to draw conclusions & state opinions about the findings of the research
Link
blank
16.  Writing the Research Paper is where the Researcher organizes all the steps of the Research to make it available to the targeted audience
Link
blank
17.  Writing the HIC Final Report is where the Researcher makes the findings of the research available to the HIC, demonstrating that Legal & Ethical Responsibilities have been upheld
Link
The End