A Choice Dilemma in Selecting an Appropriate Research Design

Abstract

A research turns out to be successful if a suitable research design has been incorporated. Research design is a blueprint adopted by a researcher before data collection begins and it acts as a guide to achieving the research objective in a valid way. A suitable research design guides the researcher in translating a research problem into data for analysis so as to provide relevant answers to research questions at a minimum cost. This paper highlights what research design is, the different kinds of research design and shows the dilemmas a researcher faces in choosing a suitable research design and how the researcher can choose an appropriate research design for his study. This review paper will make use of secondary data to explain the different types of research design. This study reveals that choice of a research design is guided by a careful analysis of: statement of the problem, research questions, conceptual or theoretical framework and analyzing the relevant literature