Concept paper

Running Head: RESEARCH DESIGN

1

RESEARCH DESIGN 2

Kathy Greggs

06/08/2020

There are many forms of research design that are important during research. In this case study, the main focus will be on the mixed, flexible, and fixed design by looking at when it is appropriate to use every design, how they are similar, different, and the various methods related to each design.

Designs

The fixed design is a design that is mainly used before the primary stage of collection of data has taken place. It is mainly used when the research is theory-driven, and the data used is numerical. The flexible design is a design that provides room for interim feedback, which may change the trial course while data is not numerical. It is mainly used when the research requires statistical tools (Creswell, 2017). The mixed design is a design that is mainly used in both qualitative and quantitative research. It is mainly used when answering research questions.

Differences and similarities

The three designs have got their differences. The fixed design is mainly suited for researches that are theory-driven. On the other hand, the flexible design is mainly suited for statistical research, while the mixed design mainly uses both qualitative and qualitative types of research and does allow for the triangulation of various datasets (Kapoor, 2016). The fixed method is used in the evaluation of impacts, while the flexible method is used in the evaluation of processes. One similarity between the three is that the three designs are all used in the analysis of data that has been collected in order to come up with research inferences.

Methods related to the designs

One of the methods used under the fixed design is the Quasi-experimental and case controls, as well as cross-sectional surveys. For the flexible design, some of the methods that are applicable include ethnography, case studies, and the use of Qualitative interviews. For the mixed method, it is crucial to make use of multilevel modeling.

References

Kapoor, M. C. (2016). Types of studies and research design. Indian journal of anesthesia, 60(9), 626.

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approach. Sage publications.