Types of Research Design

A researcher must have a clear understanding of the various types of research design to select which
type of research design to implement for a study. Research design can be broadly classified into
quantitative and qualitative research design.

Qualitative Research Design: Qualitative research is implemented in cases where a relationship between
collected data and observation is established on the basis of mathematical calculations. Theories related
to a naturally existing phenomenon can be proved or disproved using mathematical calculations.
Researchers rely on qualitative research design where they are expected to conclude “why” a particular
theory exists along with “what” respondents have to say about it.

What are the types of Research Design?

There are four types of research designs which are:

Exploratory Research: Just as the word implies, it explores, that is to find out about something by
answering the question in “what” or “How” manner.

Descriptive Research: This is more in-depth research, that answered the question what and how.

Explanatory Research: This seeks to explain the subject matter being researched and tries to answer the
question what, how and why.

Evaluation Research: This is quite extensive as it measures the effectiveness of a program.

With a clear understating of the types of research designs, design research can be drawn. Just like the
way an architect chooses a layout from its many designs to fit a specific landscape, the same way a
research design is picked from the many designs to fit the type of research being carried out. On a
general term, research design is viewed from two perspectives, a quantitative research design or a
qualitative research design, which both have extended components. They can both be used or applied
distinctively or together.

What is Quantitative Research design?

A quantitative research design is used to examine the relationship between variable by using numbers
and statistics to explain and analyze its findings and there are four types of quantitative research design:

Descriptive design research: As the name implies, it is intended to describe the present status of a This
type of design does not require a hypothesis to begin with. These analyses are generated from existing
data.

Correlational design research: This seeks to discover If two variables are associated or related in some
way, using statistical analysis, while observing the variable.

Experimental design research: This is a method used to establish a cause and effect relationship between
two variables or among a group of variables. The independent variable is manipulated to observe the
effect on the depended variable. For example, a certain group is exposed to a variable and then
compared with the group not exposed to the variable.

Quasi-experimental design research: This experiment is designed just like the true experimental design,
except that it does not use randomized sample groups. Also, it is used when a typical research design is
not practicable.

Quantitative Research Design: Quantitative research is implemented in cases where it is important for a
researcher to have statistical conclusions to collect actionable insights. Numbers provide a better
perspective to make important business decisions. Quantitative research design is important for the
growth of any organization because any conclusion drawn on the basis of numbers and analysis will only
prove to be effective for the business.

Further, research design can be divided into five types –

1. Descriptive Research Design: In a descriptive research design, a researcher is solely interested in

describing the situation or case under his/her research study. It is a theory-based research design which
is created by gather, analyze and presents collected data. By implementing an in-depth research design
such as this, a researcher can provide insights into the why and how of research.

2. Experimental Research Design: Experimental research design is used to establish a relationship

between the cause and effect of a situation. It is a causal research design where the effect caused by the
independent variable on the dependent variable is observed. For example, the effect of an independent
variable such as price on a dependent variable such as customer satisfaction or brand loyalty is
monitored. It is a highly practical research design method as it contributes towards solving a problem at
hand. The independent variables are manipulated to monitor the change it has on the dependent
variable. It is often used in social sciences to observe human behavior by analyzing two groups – affect of
one group on the other.

3. Correlational Research Design: Correlational research is a non-experimental research design technique

which helps researchers to establish a relationship between two closely connected variables. Two
different groups are required to conduct this research design method. There is no assumption while
evaluating a relationship between two different variables and statistical analysis techniques are used to
calculate the relationship between them.

Correlation between two variables is concluded using a correlation coefficient, whose value ranges
between -1 and +1. If the correlation coefficient is towards +1, it indicates a positive relationship
between the variables and -1 indicates a negative relationship between the two variables.

4. Diagnostic Research Design: In the diagnostic research design, a researcher is inclined towards
evaluating the root cause of a specific topic. Elements that contribute towards a troublesome situation
are evaluated in this research design method.

There are three parts of diagnostic research design:

Inception of the issue

Diagnosis of the issue

Solution for the issue

5. Explanatory Research Design: In exploratory research design, the researcher’s ideas and thoughts are
key as it is primarily dependent on their personal inclination about a particular topic. Explanation about
unexplored aspects of a subject is provided along with details about what, how and why related to the
research questions.
Quantitative Survey Questions: Definition

Quantitative survey questions are defined as objective questions used to gain detailed insights from
respondents about a survey research topic. The answers received for these quantitative survey questions
are analyzed and a research report is generated on the basis of this quantitative data. These questions
form the core of a survey and are used to gather numerical data to determine statistical results.

The primary stage before conducting an online survey will be to decide the objective of the survey. Every
research should have an answer to this integral question: “What are the expected results of your
survey?”. Once the answer to this question is figured out, the secondary stage will be deciding the type
of required data: quantitative or qualitative data.

Deciding the data type indicates the type of information required from the research process. While
qualitative data provides detailed information about the subject, quantitative data will provide effective
and precise information.

Quantitative survey questions are thus, channels for collecting quantitative data. Feedback received to
quantitative survey questions is related to, measured by or measuring a “quantity” or a statistic and not
the “quality” of the parameter.

Learn more: Survey Questions

Types of Quantitative Survey Questions with Examples

Quantitative survey questions should be such that they offer respondents a medium to answer
accurately. On the basis of this factor, quantitative survey questions are divided into three types:
1. Descriptive Survey Questions: Descriptive survey questions are used to gain information about a
variable or multiple variables to associate a quantity to the variable.

It is the simplest type of quantitative survey questions and helps researchers in quantifying the variables
by surveying a large sample of their target market.

Most widely implemented descriptive questions start with “What is this..”, “How much..”, “What is the
percentage of..” and such similar questions. A popular example of a descriptive survey is an exit poll as it
contains a question: “What is the percentage of candidate X winning this election?” or in a demographic
segmentation survey: “How many people between the age of 18-25 exercise daily?”

Learn more: Demographic Survey Questions

Other examples of descriptive survey questions are:

Descriptive Survey Question Example 1: What is the most preferred cuisine of the Mexicans?

Variable: Cuisine

Target Group: Mexicans

Descriptive Survey Question Example 2: What are the facets that transform Indian student thoughts and
motivate them to join American Universities?

Variable: Facets that transform career decisions

Target Group: Indian students

Descriptive Survey Question Example 3: How many Chinese citizens choose to leave the country every
year for better avenues?

Variable: Number of citizens looking for better opportunities

Target Group: Chinese citizens

In every example mentioned above, researchers should focus on quantifying the variable. The only factor
that changes is the parameter of measurement. Every example mentions a different quantitative sample
question which needs to be measured by different parameters.

The answers for descriptive survey questions are definitional for the research topic and they quantify the
topics of analysis. Usually, a descriptive research will require a long list of descriptive questions but
experimental research or relationship-based research will be effective with a couple of descriptive survey
questions.

Learn more: Quantitative Market Research

2. Comparative Survey Questions: Comparative survey questions are used to establish a comparison
between two or more groups on the basis of one or more dependable variables. These quantitative
survey questions begin with “What is the difference in” [dependable variable] between [two or more
groups]?. This question will be enough to realize that the main objective of comparative questions is to
form a comparative relationship between the groups under consideration.

Comparative survey question examples:

Comparative Survey Question Example 1: What is the difference in cuisine preferences between Mexican
adults and children?

Dependable Variable: Cuisine preferences

Comparison Groups: Mexican adults and children

Comparative Survey Question Example 2: What is the difference in factors that motivate Indian and
Australian students to join American Universities?

Dependable Variable: Factors that transform career decisions

Comparison Groups: Indian and Australian students

Comparative Survey Question Example 3: What is the difference in political notions between Asian and
American citizens?

Dependable Variable: Political notions

Comparison Groups: Asian and American citizens

The various groups mentioned in the above-mentioned options indicate independent variables (Mexican
people or country of students). These independent variables could be based on gender, ethnicity or
education. It is the dependable variable that determines the complexity of comparative survey
questions.

3. Relationship Survey Questions: Relationship survey questions are used to understand the association,
trends and causal relationship between two or more variables. When discussing research topics, the
term relationship/causal survey questions should be carefully used since it is a widely used type of
research design, i.e., experimental research – where the cause and effect between two or more
variables. These questions start with “What is the relationship” [between or amongst] followed by a
string of independent [gender or ethnicity] and dependent variables [career, political beliefs etc.]?

Relationship Survey Question Example 1: What is the relationship between age and food preferences in
Mexico?

Dependent Variable: Food preferences

Independent Variable: Age

Relationship groups: Mexico

Relationship Survey Question Example 2: What is the relationship between family income and university
admission with American students?

Dependent Variable: University admission

Independent Variable: Family income

Relationship groups: American students

Relationship Survey Question Example 3: What is the relationship between socio-economic class,
ethnicity, education and lifestyle in China?

Dependent Variable: Lifestyle

Independent Variable: Socio-economic class, ethnicity, education

Relationship groups: China

Learn more: What is Research?

How to design Quantitative Survey Questions

There are four critical steps to follow while designing quantitative survey questions:

1. Select the type of quantitative survey question: The objective of the research is reflected in the chosen
type of quantitative survey question. For the respondents to have a clear understanding of the survey,
researchers should select the desired type of quantitative survey question.

2. Recognize the filtered dependent and independent variables along with the target group/s:
Irrespective of the type of selected quantitative survey question (descriptive, comparative or relationship
based), researchers should decide on the dependent and independent variables and also the target
audiences.

There are four levels of measurement variables – one of which can be chosen for creating quantitative
survey questions. Nominal variables indicate the names of variables, Ordinal variables indicate names
and order of variables, Interval variables indicate name, order and an established interval between
ordered variables and Ratio variables indicate the name, order, an established interval and also an
absolute zero value.

A variable can not only be calculated but also can be manipulated and controlled. For descriptive survey
questions, there can be multiple variables for which questions can be formed. In the other two types of
quantitative survey questions (comparative and relationship-based), dependent and independent
variables are to be decided. Independent variables are those which are manipulated in order to observe
the change in the dependent variables.

Learn more: Quantitative Observation

3. Choose the right structure according to the decided type of quantitative survey question: As discussed
in the previous section, appropriate structures have to be chosen to create quantitative survey
questions. The intention of creating these survey questions should align with the structure of the
question.

This structure indicates – 1) Variables 2) Groups and 3) Order in which the variables and groups should
appear in the question.
4. Note the roadblocks you are trying to solve in order to create a thorough survey question: Analyze the
ease of reading these questions once the right structure is in place. Will the respondents be able to
easily understand the questions? – Ensure this factor before finalizing the quantitative survey questions.

How to Do a Quantitative Research

Questionnaire

RELATED

How to Determine Sample Size

By Bryant Harland

Research questionnaires are one of the primary methods for conducting quantitative
research. They are inexpensive, and you can give a questionnaire in person, on the
phone, by email, or mail. Quantitative surveys ask questions with specific, usually
numerical answers so that you can analyze the data quickly. They are useful for
gathering large amounts of data, but they are not designed to gather descriptive
information.

Identify the objective of your research. This will guide you through the questionnaire
writing process. Your objective should be as clear as possible, and highlight specific
information you want to discover. For example, an objective such as "to identify how
satisfied people are in their relationships," is not a clear objective because too much is
left open for interpretation. A better objective would be, "to identify the level of
satisfaction that couples who have been married for at least 1-5 years have in the
communication aspect of their relationship."

Identify your sampling group. Your objective will determine what group(s) you will want
to sample. In the example objective, you would want to focus your attention on
married couples.