Question

Describe two different problems related to research design that are commonly encountered when doing research and for each explain how a complete and detailed research proposal would help the researcher avoid the problem?

Answer 1

Even after all the careful attempts to come up with a fine research design, there may emerge some issues/ problems in research design. These are mentioned and elaborated below-

1- Absence of specific facets/ attributes/ parameters-

Many a times it happens that the researcher makes efforts unknowingly or even knowingly in terms of very wide generalisations.

This tends to make the entire research misleading, vague and inaccurate.

The sampling universe, sampling size, matching sampling technique, questionnaire and the options for the questions to be answered must be in tune and very specific. Specificity is the essence of research.

Therefore, a good time with attentiveness is to be given in each of the minutest case and suggestions/ feedback of others matter a lot for further improvement.

2- Insufficient number of the respondents/ subjects-

After deciding the sample size, there may be issues related to getting the best possible respondents or subjects. They may not be having time due to their personal or professional committments.

Some of the prospective respondents/ subjects may not be interested at all in responding/ answering even after consistent persuading.

Further, if they respond, the responses/ answers may be biased/ casual, rather careless which misdirects the research.

Hence, it becomes inevitable to contact the best possible respndents/ subjects so that their replies/ answers/ responses will turn into constructive suggestions and outcomes of the research.