Assignment
RESEARCH DESIGN-MEANING AND IMPORTANCE
The research design is a comprehensive master plan of the research study to be undertaken, giving a general statement of the methods to be used. The function of a research design is to ensure that requisite data in accordance with the problem at hand is collected accurately and economically. Simply stated, it is the framework, a blueprint for the research study which guides the collection and analysis of data. The research design, depending upon the needs of the researcher may be a very detailed statement or only furnish the minimum information required for planning the research project. To be effective, a research design should furnish at least the following details.
a) A statement of objectives of the study or the research output.
b) A statement of the data inputs required on the basis of which the research problem is to be solved.
c) The methods of analysis which shall be used to treat and analyse the data inputs.
Let us try to understand the elements through an example:
A newly opened supermarket sells a broad line of merchandise ranging from provision to household appliances and kitchenware. The general manager (sales) believes that the total profits of the supermarket can be enhanced by getting people to buy in larger quantities which could be achieved by offering attractive cash discount on bigger purchases. As the other executives are doubtful about this. The hypothesis can be tested by carrying out a marketing research exercise.
1) The objective is to calculate the margin earned on sales when this discount is offered and compare it with the margin when discount is not being offered.
2) The data to be collected over a period of time
a) Sales in rupees to a selected sample of customers during the period when the discount is offered.
b) Sales in rupees to the same
The research design is a comprehensive master plan of the research study to be undertaken, giving a general statement of the methods to be used. The function of a research design is to ensure that requisite data in accordance with the problem at hand is collected accurately and economically. Simply stated, it is the framework, a blueprint for the research study which guides the collection and analysis of data. The research design, depending upon the needs of the researcher may be a very detailed statement or only furnish the minimum information required for planning the research project. To be effective, a research design should furnish at least the following details.
a) A statement of objectives of the study or the research output.
b) A statement of the data inputs required on the basis of which the research problem is to be solved.
c) The methods of analysis which shall be used to treat and analyse the data inputs.
Let us try to understand the elements through an example:
A newly opened supermarket sells a broad line of merchandise ranging from provision to household appliances and kitchenware. The general manager (sales) believes that the total profits of the supermarket can be enhanced by getting people to buy in larger quantities which could be achieved by offering attractive cash discount on bigger purchases. As the other executives are doubtful about this. The hypothesis can be tested by carrying out a marketing research exercise.
1) The objective is to calculate the margin earned on sales when this discount is offered and compare it with the margin when discount is not being offered.
2) The data to be collected over a period of time
a) Sales in rupees to a selected sample of customers during the period when the discount is offered.
b) Sales in rupees to the same