Research Design - My response to student request

After the selection and formulation of a research problem, the next task of researcher is to work out a research design.  Like an architect prepares plan before construction, an army prepares a war strategy before war operation, a researcher has to make a plan of his study before starting the research work.  This plan of study is called by the researcher as 'Research Design'.  It is the conceptual framework structure within which the research is conducted.  It constitutes the blue print for collection, measurement and analysis of data.  A research design is a plan of the proposed research work.  It provide a guidance for the researcher to enable him to keep track of his actions and to know that he is moving in the right direction.  So a research design should cover the following aspects, firstly the research design provides the sources and types of information relevant to the research, secondly it will specify the approach needed for gathering and analyzing the data, thirdly it also shows the time and money needed for the successful completion of the work.  The research design will differ depending on the purpose of the research.