Comparison and contrast of exploratory, descriptive and causal research designs giving examples

Comparison and contrast of exploratory, descriptive and causal research designs giving examples Research design is a tool that is used in carrying out marketing researches. The design is supposed to give in detail the procedures that are supposed to be followed to solve problems that marketing researches present. The major approaches used in researches include exploratory, causal, and exploratory research designs.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Comparison and contrast of exploratory, descriptive and causal research designs giving examples specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Information requirements, measures, and scales have to be spelt out clearly. Sampling process, sample size, and data analysis plans also feature prominently as components of the three research designs (Collins, Sutton and Onwuegbuzie 2006) Descriptive research design Descriptive research design is mainly used to describe a behavior or type of subject. It not intended to look for specific relationships between variables neither does it correlat e variables. Its major set back is that it cannot identify cause because its setting is completely natural. Moreover, it has all the variables present. Descriptive research design is an asset to a researcher because a lot of information can be acquired through description. For purposes of identification of variables and hypothetical constructs which can be subjected to further investigations using other means, descriptive research design come in handy. Some of its advantages include the ability of its descriptions to be used to indirectly test theory or model behaviors that cannot be studied using any other means (Creswell 1998). Categories of descriptive design include surveys and observational studies. Field surveys feature prominently under surveys. Under this, the participants are expected to fill in the questionnaires or be subjected to interviews in natural settings. Much attention should be devoted to construction and content validity of the questionnaires; the scores must be reliable; the questions should be clear and precise hence mutually exclusive answers; the interviewer must be consistent and controlled in his or her behavior; and the order of questions as they appear in the questionnaire have to be counterbalanced. This helps in identifying and controlling one sided responses. Finally, field surveyors have to pay attention to concrete behaviors that naà ¯ve respondents describe accurately. Surveys are quite often mailed or facilitated through phone calls. Surveys conducted through mails involve questionnaires that are relatively long. It takes some time before these mails are returned. However, not all of them can be returned but 50% return rate is normally okay for the survey.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Inclusion of cover letter, giving survey a face validity, asking brief questions, guaranteeing rewards, and sending a re minder will only ensure that the return rate of the mails is enhanced. Telephones are credited for having higher response rate. The telephone interviewers normally use structured and closely ended questions (Fraenkel and Wallen 2003). The introduction of telephone interviews have to be straight to the point and friendly. It is usually assumed that participants who fail to participate in phone interviews may be busy or guarded. When it comes to identifying the population and samples to participate in surveys, all subgroups have too be identified without any element of bias. Random or stratified random sampling techniques are preferred. However, other sapling techniques like cluster sampling, convenience sampling, quota sampling, snowball sampling can be used. Potential biases that are encountered in field survey include: by the time the interviewer is calling the respondent may not be in a mood to talk, there may be biasness on the side of those who have accepted to take part in the view (such volunteers may be opinionated or bored), there may be a silent majority, and the way one feels today may not be the same as the way he will feel tomorrow. Survey results are normally analyzed using descriptive statistics. This helps in checking significant correlations in responses gotten from different questions. In observational studies, descriptions normally rely on observations made on the subjects. General techniques used here are naturalistic observation, systematic naturalistic observation, and participant observation. Naturalistic observation is unstructured and unsystematic. It entails observation of a wide range of behaviors. Systematic naturalistic observation is systematic and looks into specific behaviors. Participant observation requires that the investigator infiltrate the group he or she is observing. The observer acts like a spy agent whose true identity and purpose cannot be known (Creswell 2005). The major advantage of observation studies is that it is absolutely natural. It does not therefore demand characteristics. Its disadvantages are unavailability of informed consent, it relies on convenience samples, the data used is mostly qualitative as there is much of verbal descriptions and observations made visually.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Comparison and contrast of exploratory, descriptive and causal research designs giving examples specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Observation studies are supposed to help in identifying variables which are valuable in indirect tests of models and predictions. In order to decrease bias in observation studies, well defined scoring criteria has to be developed, time sampling technique must be used, there have to be multiple observers, double blind procedures have to be used, and for purpose of increasing external validity, it is imperative that random samples are obtained. Exploratory research design Exploratory research design is normally used in research whose purpose involves inquiry into new products that should be developed, how the product appeal will enhance its advertising, and how the existing services can be improved. Research questions in exploratory research design border on the alternative ways that exist that can be used for example to provide lunch for school children, the kind of benefits people stand to get from the product, and the nature of dissatisfaction the customer may be getting from the product in the case of marketing research. The hypothesis here has unknown constructs. The hypothesis also suspects that the major problem in the study could be impersonalization. Causal research design The purpose of this research design in marketing research perspective is to ascertain whether an increase in the service staff ca be profitable, which advertising program for public transit is suitable, and whether new budget should be contemplated. The research questions here touch on the correlati on between size of staff offering services and the revenue that is accrued. What do people stand to get from cars and the public transport. Comparison of the three research designs The major objective of exploratory research design is to discover ideas and insights where as in descriptive research design involves describing market aspects and functions. Nevertheless, causal research design tries to determine the cause-effect relationships in the research one is conducting. A major feature of exploratory design is its flexibility, its adaptability, and the front end of total research design. However, descriptive research design is marked by past formulation of specific hypotheses from observations and studies. This design is pre-planned and structured. Causal research approach can proceed through one or more independent variables. Other mediating variables that fall under this design can also be controlled. An exploratory research approach entails the use of surveys, case studies, in formation from other studies, and qualitative analyses. In contrast, a descriptive research approach uses information from other studies, panels, analyses, and observation. Causal research design strictly uses experiments.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More References List Collins, K. M. T., Onwuegbuzie, A. J., Sutton, I. L., 2006, A model incorporating the rationale and purpose for conducting mixed methods research in special education and beyond, Learning Disabilities: A Contemporary Journal, vol.4, pp.  67-100. Creswell, J. W., 1998,Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among the five  traditions. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Creswell, J. W., 2005, Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating  quantitative and qualitative research (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education. Fraenkel, J. R., Wallen, N. E., 2003, How to design and evaluate research in  education (5th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill.