The selection of an appropriate research design is critical to the success of your research project.
Your research design should align with your research questions. Overall it should represent a considered plan that is suitable for approaching your research questions and is appropriate for your discipline and the likely expectations of your examiners.
Your research design should be realistic and achievable within the time and resources available. There is no ‘perfect’ research design; you may need to explore several designs, and consider the following criteria:
It’s essential that you consider the feasibility of your proposed research design. You must be realistic about the time, money, equipment and expertise needed to fulfill your research plan.
Logistical issues that you should think about include:
Part of risk management in research is considering the likelihood and potential impact of the ‘worst case’ scenario on your research objectives. For example, what happens if you’re unable to achieve your desired sample? If the risk is high, it may be appropriate to consider a less risky research design.
You should talk to your supervisors about possible risks to achieving your research goals.
It is critical that you work in conjunction with your supervisor to develop your research design. Your School Research Consultant is also available to assist you and workshops are held throughout the year on various types of research methods.