JIMMA UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

DEPARTMENT OF MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION STUDIES

PROGRAM OF BROADCAST JOURNALISM (MA)

(2nd Semester)
Research Methods Assignment on Chapter 3

Prepared By: Bulcha Negera ID No: RM/2600/12

Submitted to: GetachewTilahun(PhD)

Submission Date: Aug 16, 2020

JIMMA, ETHIOPIA
 1. Meaning and Significance of Research Design

A research design is the arrangement of conditions for collection and analysis of data in a
manner that aims to combine relevance to the research purpose with economy in procedure.
In fact, the research design is the conceptual structure within which research is conducted; it
constitutes the blueprint for the collection, measurement and analysis of data.

Research design is needed because it facilitates the smooth sailing of the various research
operations, thereby making research as efficient as possible yielding maximal information with
minimal expenditure of effort, time and money.

Just as for better, economical and attractive construction of a house, we need a blueprint (or
what is commonly called the map of the house) well thought out and prepared by an expert
architect, similarly we need a research design or a plan in advance of data collection and
analysis for our research project.

Research design stands for advance planning of the methods to be adopted for collecting the
relevant data and the techniques to be used in their analysis, keeping in view the objective of the
research and the availability of staff, time and money. Preparation of the research design should
be done with great care as any error in it may upset the entire project.
Research design, in fact, has a great bearing on the reliability of the results arrived at and as such
constitutes the firm foundation of the entire edifice of the research work.

Identifying a study’s research design is important because it communicates information about

key features of the study, which can differ for qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods.
However, one common feature across research designs is that at one or more points in the
research process, data are collected. (Denzin & Lincoln, 2005, p. 3)

The essentials of action research design follow a characteristic cycle whereby initially an
exploratory stance is adopted, where an understanding of a problem is developed and plans are
made for some form of strategy.
 2. Explain the meaning of the following in context of Research design
2.1. Extraneous variables
Independent variables that are not related to the purpose of the study, but
may affect the dependent variable are termed as extraneous variables. Suppose the researcher
wants to test the hypothesis that there is a relationship between children’s gains in social studies
achievement and their self-concepts. In this case self-concept is an independent variable and
social studies achievement is a dependent variable. Intelligence may as well affect the social
studies achievement, but since it is not related to the purpose of the study undertaken by the
researcher, it will be termed as an extraneous variable.
Whatever effect is noticed on dependent variable as a
result of extraneous variable(s) is technically described as an ‘experimental error’. A study must
always be so designed that the effect upon the dependent variable is attributed entirely to the
independent variable(s), and not to some extraneous variable or variables.
2.2. Confounded Relationships
When the dependent variable is not free from the influence of
extraneous variable(s), the relationship between the dependent and independent variables is said
to be confounded by an extraneous variable(s).
2.3. Research Hypothesis
When a prediction or a hypothesized relationship is to be tested by scientific
methods, it is termed as research hypothesis. The research hypothesis is a predictive statement
that relates an independent variable to a dependent variable.
Usually a research hypothesis must contain, at least, one independent and one dependent
variable. Predictive statements which are not to be
objectively verified or the relationships that are assumed but not to be tested are not termed
research hypotheses.
2.4. Experimental and Control Group
In an experimental hypothesis-testing research when a
group is exposed to usual conditions, it is termed a ‘control group’, but when the group is
exposed to some novel or special condition, it is termed an ‘experimental group’.
2.5. Treatments
The different conditions under which experimental and control groups are put are
usually referred to as ‘treatments’. In the illustration taken above, the two treatments are the
usual studies programme and the special studies programme. Similarly, if we want to determine
through an experiment the comparative impact of three varieties of fertilizers on the yield of
wheat, in that case the three varieties of fertilizers will be treated as three treatments.
3. Important Research Designs Used in Experimental Hypothesis-testing
Research Study
Experimental research is conducted with a scientific approach using two sets of variables. The
first set act as constant, which you use to measure the differences of the second set.
There are three primary types of experimental designs; pre-experimental research design, true
experimental research design and quasi-experimental research design.
1. Pre-experimental design- A various groups are kept under observation after implementing
factors of causes and effects. You will conduct this research to understand whether
further investigation is necessary for this particular group.
2. True Experimental Research Designs- Relies on statistical analysis to prove or disprove a
hypothesis, making it the most accurate form of research.
3. Quasi-experimental Research Design- Similar to experimental, but not the same. In this
research in independent variable is manipulated, but the participants of a group are not
randomly assigned.
4. Research design in exploratory studies must be flexible but in descriptive
studies, it must minimize bias and maximize reliability.” Discuss
In exploratory studies research results in insights or hypothesis, regardless of the method
adopted, the most important thing is that it should remain flexible. So that all the facets of the
problem can be studied, as and when they arise. Conversely, a descriptive research is a
comparative design which is prepared according to the study and resources available. Such study
minimizes bias and maximizes reliability.
5. Give your understanding of a good research design. Is single research
design suitable in all research studies? If not, why?

A good design is often characterized by adjectives like flexible, appropriate, efficient,

economical and so on. Generally, the design which minimizes bias and maximizes the reliability
of the data collected and analyzed is considered a good design. The design which gives the
smallest experimental error is supposed to be the best design in many investigations. Similarly, a
design which yields maximal information and provides an opportunity for considering many
different aspects of a problem is considered most appropriate and efficient design in respect of
many research problems. Thus, the question of good design is related to the purpose or objective
of the research problem and also with the nature of the problem to be studied.

Single research design is not suitable for all studies since it only involves evaluation and
assessment of individual cases (often behavior)

References
2. Ackoff, Russell L., Scientific Method, New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1962.
3. Allen, T. Harrell, New Methods in Social Science Research, New York: Praeger Publishers,
1978.
4. Anderson, H.H., and Anderson, G.L., An Introduction to Projective Techniques and Other
Devices for
Understanding the Dynamics of Human Behaviour, New York: Prentice Hall, 1951.
5. Anderson, T.W., An Introduction to Multivariate Analysis, New York: John Wiley & Sons,
1958.
6. Bailey, Kenneth D., “Methods of Social Research,” New York, 1978.
7. Baker, R.P., and Howell, A.C., The Preparation of Reports, New York: Ronald Press, 1938.
8. Bartee, T.C., “Digital Computer Fundamentals,” 5th Ed., McGraw-Hill, International Book
Co., 1981.
9. Barzun, Jacques, and Graff, Henery, F., The Modern Researcher, rev. ed., New York:
Harcourt, Brace &
World, Inc., 1970.