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THE RESEARCH DESIGN 117

THE RESEARCH DESIGN

Having identified the variables in a problem situation and developed the theo-
retical framework, the next step is to design the research in a way that the req-
uisite data can be gathered and analyzed to arrive at a solution.
The research design, which involves a series of rational decision-making
choices, was originally presented in a simple manner in box 6 of Figure 4.1, and
is now represented in the shaded box in Figure 6.1. The various issues involved
in the research design and discussed in this chapter are now comprehensively
shown in Figure 6.2. As may be seen, issues relating to decisions regarding the
purpose for the study (exploratory, descriptive, hypothesis testing), its location
(i.e., the study setting), the type it should conform to (type of investigation), the

Figure 6.1
The research process.

1
OBSERVATION
Broad area
of research
interest
identified
4
THEORETICAL
3 5 6 7
FRAMEWORK
PROBLEM GENERATION
DEFINITION OF SCIENTIFIC DATA COLLECTION,
Research HYPOTHESES RESEARCH ANALYSIS, AND
problem Variables clearly DESIGN INTERPRETATION
delineated identified and
labeled

2
8
PRELIMINARY
DATA GATHERING DEDUCTION
Interviewing Hypotheses
Literature survey substantiated?
Research question
answered?

No Yes

9 10 11
Report Report Managerial
Writing Presentation Decision
Making