Research Methods and Designs

This assignment provides a comprehensive overview of research methods and designs, covering various types of research approaches such as exploratory, descriptive, and causal studies. It also delves into qualitative research methods and emphasizes the significance of reliability and validity in research. The document is suitable for students seeking to understand and apply research principles effectively.

Research Design Chapter or
Paper

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................... 3
TASK.......................................................................................................................................... 3
1. Research design.............................................................................................................. 3
l2. Planned Sample, population or subject selection............................................................5
l3. Planned Instrumentation and materials........................................................................... 6
l4. Planned Variables in the study....................................................................................... 6
l5. Plan for data analysis..................................................................................................... 7
l6. Writing the research report............................................................................................ 8
CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................ 9
REFERENCES.......................................................................................................................... 11

INTRODUCTION
This study will highlight researcher methodology chapter. Research methodology is the
process of collecting data and information for the particular subject matter which helps in filling
the gaps on the current knowledge of the researcher. Research methodology is based on
quantitative and qualitative data which helps in in-depth analysis on the particular area of study.
Research methodology helps in critical evaluation on the particular area of study and helps
improve knowledge and skills by in-depth analysis on the particular area of study. This study
will highlight, research design, sampling, planned instrumentation and materials, planned
variables used in the study, data analysis and research report.
TASK
1. Research design.
Research design is a framework which is used by the researcher to combine various
elements of research in a logical and systematic manner which helps in analysing and resolving
problem effectively which leads to accurate and reliable results and outcomes. The design of the
study helps in outlining the research type i.e., experimental, survey, semi-experimental,
descriptive, exploratory, correlation, etc. the main characteristics of research design is that it
should be free from bias and the data must be reliable and accurate.
The research design can be widely categorized into quantitative research design and
qualitative research design (Organizing Academic Research Papers: Types of Research
Designs,2019). Research design are of different types which includes descriptive research
design, quasi-experimental, correlation, exploratory, explanatory and experimental.
Descriptive research design helps in evaluating and analysing the current status of the
data or phenomenon. Descriptive research design helps in critically evaluating the current
situation by effectively answering questions like when, what, who, where and how in relation to
the research questions (Nassaji, 2015). Descriptive research helps in effectively evaluating the
subject matter without manipulating the variables and helps in generalizing the data. Descriptive
research design is based on observation method, case study method and survey research which
helps in in-depth analysis and also leads to effective decision making on the particular area of
study.

Experimental research design is used to investigate the cause and effect relationship
between the variable which helps in critical analysis on the particular subject matter. Variable
can be of two types, i.e., dependent variable and independent variable. Independent variables are
those which can be manipulated to test the effects on the dependent variable. On the other hand,
dependent variables is the result of manipulating the independent variable which helps researcher
in in-depth analysis on the particular area of study (Kumar, 2019). The independent variables are
manipulated to effectively monitor the change on the dependent variables. Experimental
research design helps in identifying the research problem and constructing the experiment to
ensure that the experiment is carried out effectively in the best possible way for effective results
and outcomes. It is highly practical and helps in effectively solving the problem.
Correlation research design is a non- experimental research design which helps
researcher in assessing the statistical relationship between the one and other variables without
getting influenced from extraneous variable. Correlation research design can be further classified
into positive correlation, negative correlation and no correlation. Positive correlation is a type of
correlation when both the variable decreases or increases at the same time whereas, on the other
hand, when one variable increases and the other variable decreases. No correlation means when
there is no relation between the two variables. Correlation research design is used to evaluate
and analyse the validity and reliability of the measurements. Correlation research design helps
in critically analysing the relationship between two or more variables. Correlation research
design is further classified into various types through which study can be conducted on the
particular area of study which are broadly categorized into naturalistic observation, survey
research and archival research (Creswell and Poth, 2017). Naturalistic research design is
conducted when researcher collects data by effectively observing the subject area in a natural
environment. Survey research is conducted by gathering information through mail surveys,
internet surveys and interview. Archival research involves analysis of data which has been
previously collected by others (Fletcher, 2017).
Exploratory research design is used to investigate the problem on a particular area of
study which has not been clearly defined. Exploratory research design helps in conducting better
and effective understanding on the current problem on the particular subject matter and also
helps in providing conclusive results and outcomes. Exploratory research design helps in
defining and understanding the ambiguous problem and also gain better understanding on the

particular issue of the subject matter (Research design and its types: Exploratory, descriptive
and causal, 2018). It also helps in development of hypothesis which results in critically
evaluating the cause of the occurrence of the particular phenomenon. Effective tools used to
carry out exploratory research design is thorough secondary information, personal interviews,
focus groups, case analysis, projective techniques, work association, story telling, sentence
completion, etc.
Explanatory research design is conducted in order to determine the extent of cause and
effect relation on the particular area of study. This research design helps in connecting the ideas
in order to determine the cause and effect relationship between two or more variables. This
research design is highly structured and helps in understanding the subject area of the study on
the preliminary basis (Flick, 2015).
Researcher has used explanatory research design is conducted to analyse the problem and
define the problem effectively in order to provide the best research model with in- depth study
on the particular subject matter. BY using this research design, researcher has successfully
evaluated the benefit and risk of integrating enterprise resource planning in the information
technology firm.
2. Planned Sample, population or subject selection.
Sampling is the statistical process of selecting a representative group from the large
number of population to carry out the study on the particular subject matter. Sampling is further
classified into probability sampling and non- probability sampling (Robertson and bley, 2018).
Probability sampling is a sample size where every unit in the population has an equal
opportunity of being selected in sample, whereas non- probability sampling does not give equal
opportunity to the units to get selected in the sample. Probability sampling can be further
categorized into random sampling, stratified sampling, multi stage sampling, cluster sampling,
systematic sampling (Survey Sampling Methods, 2019). Non- probability sampling can be
further classified into snowball sampling, quota sampling and convenience sampling.
Random sampling means every individual in the sample size has equal chance of getting
selected. The main purpose of random sampling is to get a sample of those individuals that are
representative of the selected population. Stratified sampling is a type of sampling where
researcher split the large population into separate groups where each individual member from

the group are randomly selected (Palinkas and et.al., 2015). Cluster sampling is a type of
sampling where researcher divides the large population into clusters. Theses clusters are
randomly selected from the large population. Multi- stage random sampling is a type of
probability sampling where samples are carried out in various different stages in such a way that
the sample get reduced at each stage. At each stage members are selected randomly. Systematic
sampling is a sampling method where members are randomly selected in an orderly manner for
the fixed interval.
Snowball sampling is a non- probability sampling method which is also known as chain
referral sampling (Etikan, Alkassim and Abubakar, 2016). This method of sampling is used to
identify the characteristics of the samples which are rare to find. Snowball sampling can be
further classified into linear snowball sampling, exponential non- discriminative snowball
sampling and exponential discriminative snowball sampling. Quota sampling is a non random
sampling method where members are selected in accordance with the specific characteristics in
proportion with the large population. Convenience sampling is a non-probability sampling
method where the members are selected on the basis of the availability and accessibility (Nardi,
2018).
The researcher of the study opted for random sampling where 20 senior managers were
selected randomly to carry out the particular area of study and critically evaluate and analyse the
particular subject matter. By collecting data from these respondent's researcher has successfully
evaluated the benefit and risk of integrating enterprise resource planning in the information
technology firm.
l3. Planned Instrumentation and materials.
Primary research method is a data which has been collected for the first time. The
research has never been conducted before and information is collected through first hand
research which helps researcher in conducting in-depth research analysis on a particular subject
matter. Primary data helps researcher in collecting relevant and original data which increases the
degree of accuracy on the particular subject matter. Primary data is collected through
investigation, observation, experimentation, scrapbooks, manuscript material, letters, speeches,
mailed questionnaire, projective techniques, Delphi techniques, focus group, indirect oral
interview, schedules, local agencies, etc. Primary data is time consuming and an expensive
method to carry out research on a particular subject matter. Secondary information is a data

which has already been collected by someone else (Johnston, 2017). Secondary data is a type of
research methodology where researcher uses information from sources which has already been
collected by someone else to further carry out the research in more detail for in- depth analysis
on the particular subject matter. Secondary data is less time consuming and more cost efficient
which helps in carrying out further study on the particular subject matter of the study to a
Secondary source of data includes books, magazines, trade journals, reports, manuals, official
publications, newspaper, financial statements, libraries, articles, journals, government
publications, etc.
In this present report, researcher has used to collect data from primary sources via survey
through questionnaire and scholar has effectively evaluated the benefit and risk of integrating
enterprise resource planning in the information technology firm.
l4. Planned Variables in the study.
Variables is a feature or characteristic that change research project which helps in
examining the particular area of study on the basis of hypothesis. Variables is measurable and it
keeps on varying. Variables can be further classified into dependent variables, independent
variables and controllable variables which helps in achieving the desired goals, aims and
objectives of the particular area of study. Dependent variables are based on independent variable
which change in response to the independent variable (What Is the Difference Between
Independent and Dependent Variables?, 2019). Dependent variable is influenced by
manipulation of data which helps in gaining knowledge on the particular subject matter.
Dependent variable is being measured and tested effectively on the basis of scientific
experiment. For example, dependent variable like risk and benefits are dependent on Enterprise
resource planning (ERP) into the organization. Independent variables are not dependent on
variables and characteristics. Independent variables is a change in a variable and without getting
dependent on the any other factor. For example, Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is an
independent variable and it does not get influenced by the change in the dependent variables like
risks and benefit of integrating Enterprise resource planning (ERP) into the organization.
Independent variables aims at modifying existing variables which helps in effectively integrating
the variables which helps in gaining knowledge and insights on the particular area of study.
Controllable variables are also known as constant variables which do not change with the change
in the variables of the study on the particular area of study. Controllable variables are

unchangeable which are not part of the scientific experiment and the whole investigation on the
research is carried out without changing any variables. In this present research, researcher has
use independent variable because ERP is an independent whereas the benefits and risk are
depended variable effectively evaluated the benefit and risk of integrating enterprise resource
planning in the information technology firm
l5. Plan for data analysis.
Data analysis is a systematic process to apply logical and statistical techniques in order to
illustrate, describe and evaluate the data effectively and efficiently to gain and increase
knowledge on the particular subject matter. Data analysis is an effective process where data is
systematically collected and evaluated in order to get outstanding results and outcomes and fill
the gaps on the current knowledge on a particular subject matter. Data analysis is a systematic
process which starts from data requirement specification, next step is data collection and data
processing and it further leads to data analysis and effective communication process which helps
in systematically analysing the data collected for the research project (Braun and et.al., 2019).
There are multiple effective techniques in order to gain effective knowledge on the particular
area of study. Data analysis is a systematic framework which helps in collecting, cleaning,
transforming and evaluating the data collected specifically in order to systematically and
evaluate the particular subject matter. Data analysis are of two types and the research is based on
both quantitative and qualitative research design.
In case of quantitative research method SPSS tool is used to evaluate the particular
subject matter and get in-depth analysis using statistical and numerical tools to evaluate and
analyse the area of study. SPSS tool is used by researchers to critically evaluate the critical
statistical data analysis which h helps in gaining knowledge on the particular subject matter
using statistical and numerical tools to gain most out of the research. In case research is
conducted on the basis on qualitative research method then data will be analysed on the thematic
basis which helps in giving logical and effective reasoning on the particular subject matter which
helps in effective analysis and predict reliable data. Thematic analysis is a process which helps in
systematic analysis and interpretation of the data collected using questionnaire which helps in
critically evaluating the data effectively (Nowell And et.al., 2017.).
It helps in giving logical reasoning and gain insights by critically evaluating the data
using thematic approach. It helps in examining the particular theme of the research project by

effectively recording the patterns by effectively pinpointing and examining the data collected on
the particular subject matter. Data analysis is conducted by choosing specific themes for the
research and helps in critical and in- depth analysis of the data using questionnaire and surveys
which helps in gaining insights on the particular subject matter. Thematic analysis helps in
identifying the set patterns for the research which helps in providing answer to the research
questions effectively and efficiently to fill the current gaps of the knowledge of researcher on the
particular subject matter (Thematic Analysis: Striving to Meet the Trustworthiness Criteria.
2019). Thematic analysis provides highly flexible approach which helps in modifying the study
according to needs and wants of researcher. It also helps in providing rich and detailed study on
the subject matter which helps in gaining strong insights on the particular subject matter which
leads to higher knowledge on the particular study. Thematic analysis helps in effectively
describing the phenomenon on the basis of the research questions (Vaismoradi and et.al., 2016.).
With the help of data analysis it has been investigated that the researcher will opt for
thematic analysis where the study will be conducted through logical reasoning which leads to
effective results and outcomes of the study. Thematic analysis helps researcher in giving insights
and helps to fill the gaps on the current knowledge of the study (Terry and et.al., 2017). Thus,
by using qualitative data analysis and presenting the data through graph table and charts,
researcher has successfully evaluated the benefit and risk of integrating enterprise resource
planning in the information technology firm.
l6. Writing the research report.
The research report will be conducted in ethical and reliable manner which helps the
researcher in conducting investigation effectively which helps in gaining insight on the particular
area of study. The researcher has opted for qualitative research method and helps in conducting
thematic analysis to gain logical reasoning on the particular subject matter. The researcher has
conducted in ethical manner by effectively using the resources of the organization. The research
is conducted in reliable and viability manner by effectively answering all the questions of the
research (Khan, 2016). The researcher focus on developing the research problem and effectively
assign the task to each individual to carry task on a timely manner. The research should be
conducted in an ethical manner without imposing any harm to natural resources and research
should be conducted using various journals and articles for bore reliable and relevant data.

The research conducted is relevant by showing true and fair data without manipulating
the actual data (Heale and Twycross, 2015). The research is conducted in reliable manner and
contains accurate information regarding to the particular area of study. The research reliability is
based on producing consistent and stable results which leads to higher outcomes at the time of
investigation. Reliability of the research helps in fulfilling the aims and objectives of the study
that result (Reliability and Validity in Research: Definitions, Examples, 2019).
The data collected is valid and must be accurate which gives proper insight and
knowledge in the particular area of study (Maxwell, 2016). The validity of the data indicates that
the data collected by the researcher is not manipulated and contains true and fair fact on the area
of study which helps in gaining long term insight and knowledge on the particular subject matter
which is the benefit and risk of integrating enterprise resource planning in the information
technology firm.. The validity of the research focuses on giving sound insight on the research
problems effectively (Noble and Smith, 2015).
The limitation faced by the researcher while conducting this study was that he was
having lack of resources to effectively carry out the research which leads to higher performance
and efficiency in investigation process. Limitation of financial and human resources leads to
major drawback for the researcher. The researcher also faced time constraints which affect their
investigation process. The researcher aimed to complete the research on time without affecting
the quality of the study. Another limitation faced by the researcher, is that the respondents were
not confident enough to carry out the particular study (Silverman, 2016).
CONCLUSION
Research methodology is the process of collecting data and information for the particular
subject matter which helps in filling the gaps on the current knowledge of the researcher. This
study will further highlight that research will be conducted using various research methodology
tools which helps in filling the gaps of current knowledge of the study. The study will include
the type of research design which includes descriptive, exploratory, experiment research design.
The researcher of the study opt for descriptive research design to gain in depth analysis on the
particular subject matter. The researcher opted for random sampling where 20 senior manager
were selected randomly carry out the particular area of study. The researcher focus on using both
primary and secondary source of data collection to effectively investigate the particular subject
matter. Further, the researcher will use variables and hypothesis test and scientific experiments

to gain quality results on the study. Data analysis is based on qualitative research method which
completely focus on thematic analysis on the particular area of study which gives researcher
logical reasoning on the particular subject matter.

·REFERENCES
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