6.1 Selecting the appropriate study design
One of the most fundamental issues in determining how to conduct a study is determining the right study design to answer a research question and to achieve the stated aims of a research idea. It is essential to select the appropriate study design as it is crucial in determining the methodology of any research. There are different study designs under three broad categories, namely quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research, and these have been discussed in chapters 1, 3, 4 and 5. Quantitative research measures quantifiable things while seeking to investigate the relationship between variables and utilises numerical data and statistical analysis to understand the phenomenon.1 On the other hand, qualitative research aims to explore and develop an in-depth understanding of the concept with an emphasis on the development process.2 The mixed method combines quantitative and/ or qualitative methods with features of both methods integrated into mixed method research.3 The question is, how can a researcher decide on a study design type given the numerous options? The choice depends on the following key factors- the research question, resources (timing and funding), data availability and study population, ethical considerations and research expertise. This video clip gives a quick recap of the different research methods and study designs that we presented in chapters 3, 4 and 5.
