Designing a research project - Softcover

Using insights, guiding principles, and methodologies, this book shows graduate students and doctoral candidates how to develop an effective research design. With numerous examples, the reader is gradually introduced to the creative process. At the conclusion of each chapter, a step-by-step plan of action is presented, which should be followed when designing a research project. Now in its second edition, the book includes several important adjustments, modifications, and additional sections. The authors have extended the presentation of the practice-oriented research types, which are based upon the distinct phases of the intervention cycle. In addition, the technique of unraveling key concepts is further specified. Numerous examples have been updated in order to present the reader with a wide variety from many different social sciences. An extended series of assignments have been included, offering multiple opportunities to test knowledge and to practice skills in designing a research project. The Appendix provides a thorough discussion for designing conceptual (causal) models. The book will help the reader master the difficult, yet very important, subject of developing and applying these models.

The primary goal of Designing a Research Project is to assist graduate students, PhD candidates and research fellows to develop an effective research design. In addition this book offers supervisors and tutors an opportunity to tighten their grip on their counseling roles while enabling them to perfect their student’s progress and help them to achieve better research results. Both practice-oriented and theory-oriented research can benefit from applying the methodology used when designing a research project.

Designing a Research Project provides insights, guiding principles and methodology for developing a transparent conceptual and technical design for a research. The guiding principles for the conceptual design or research issue help to formulate an attainable and effective research objective, to outline a clear research framework and to determine relevant research issues. The technical design concerns the selection of an adequate research strategy, the different ways of collecting data or information required and the making of a research plan.