Introduction
*This image was created using napkin.ai; however, the concept, design direction, and creative vision were conceived by Dr. Knight and Chris Cardenas
At the core of every meaningful research study is a thoughtful, intentional design—a plan that outlines how questions will be asked, data will be collected, and conclusions will be drawn. This chapter introduces students to the foundational elements of research design, from the broad paradigms and theories that shape a researcher’s worldview to the specific methods and strategies used to answer social science questions.
The second half of the chapter focuses on how researchers choose a design that aligns with their study’s purpose and goals. You’ll explore the core elements that make a research design strong, the considerations that guide design decisions, and the potential challenges researchers may face during implementation. This section also introduces common research designs, such as experiments, survey research, and qualitative and quantitative research.
Whether the goal is to explain large-scale patterns or understand individual experiences, a strong research design provides the structure and logic needed to conduct ethical, rigorous, and impactful research.
* AI was used to help organize my thoughts and suggest clarifying sentences, but all ideas and final writing are entirely my own.
Learning Objectives
- Define and differentiate between research design, research methodology, and research methods.
- Summarize the components of research design and why they are important, including unit of analysis, time scale, budget and timeline, and research methods.
- Match appropriate research designs to different types of research questions, understanding the strengths and limitations of each.
- Describe the components of a true experimental design.
- Recognize when and why researchers may use alternative experimental designs to address practical or ethical concerns.
- Understand how and when to use qualitative versus quantitative approaches to research.
