Research Design Template for an Academic Study Epistemology Strong positivist Positivist Constructionist Strong constructionist 1 Background What is the theoretical problem and what studies have been conducted to date? What is the theoretical problem and what studies have been conducted to date? What are the ongoing discussions researchers and practitioners? What are the ongoing discussions among researchers and practitioners? 2 Rationale What is the main gap in existing knowledge? What are the main variables, and how are they related to one another? What perspectives have been covered and what are missing? What are the limitations in the discussions so far? 3 Research aims Specify testable hypotheses List main propositions or questions Identify the focal issue or question Explain how the research will add to the existing discussion 4 Setting Determine the wider population from which you will Determine the research setting and the population from which Identify an appropriate research setting and justify your choice Describe your research setting and justify that the methods you intend to use are
draw your sample you will draw your sample appropriate to the setting 5 Data (see Chapters 6, 7 and 9) Define variables and determine measures Define dependent and independent variables and determine measures Explain and justify a range of data collection methods Identify main sources of data. How will interviews be recorded/transcribed, etc.? 6 Sampling (see Chapters 4 and 9) Explain how group selection and comparison will eliminate alternative explanations Justify sample size and explain how it reflects the wider population How will the sample enable different perspectives to be included? Explain sampling strategy. Will it be opportunistic, emergent, comparative, etc.? 7 Access (see Chapter 5) How are experimental subjects to be recruited? How can responses to questionnaires etc. be assured? What is the strategy for gaining access to individuals, organizations? How will insights from co-researchers be combined? 8 Ethics (see Chapter 5) Is participation voluntary? results be used to harm any participants? Will the interests of individuals and organizations be protected? How ‘open’ is the research? Will there be any deception?
9 Unit of analysis Differentiate between control, experimental groups, etc. Specify whether individuals, groups, events or organizations. How will units/cases be compared with each other? What are the entities that are to be compared with each other? 10 Analysis (see Chapters 8, 10 and 11) Statistical procedures for examining differences between groups Statistical procedures for examining relationships between variables Arrangements for coding, interpreting and making sense of data. How will be involved in 11 Process Explain stages in the research process Explain stages in the research process Explain what can be and what can be open-ended Provide realistic timing including adequate provision for contingencies 12 Practicalities (see Chapter 5) How will groups be recruited? Where will experiments take place? Who will gather data? How will it be recorded/ stored? Who will analyse it? How will researchers share observations? Who will do transcriptions, etc.? How will be engaged?
13 Theory How will hypotheses be tested? In what ways will the results add to existing theories? Will the research build on existing theory or develop new concepts? Will the research build on existing theory or develop new concepts? 14 Outputs (see Chapter 12) Where will the research results be published? What is the dissemination strategy? What is the dissemination strategy? How will insights be shared with colleagues and collaborators?