The selection of an appropriate design serves as the foundation for any
research project. The quality of a research design will convey the transparency
and truthfulness of the eventual results. Statisticians with a high level of
technical skills and professional skepticism can anticipate challenges to a
given project’s research design and render improvements to satisfy potential
skeptics.
Quantitative research is all about quantifying relationships between variables.
Variables can come in a variety of different forms and include the following:
weight, performance, time, and treatment. Variables are often tested on a
sample of subjects, which can be tissues, cells, animals, or humans. The
designs used to quantify relationships are descriptive, quasi-experimental, and
experimental.
These various designs differ in whether they seek to show causality (i.e.
school achievement is caused by parents’ income levels). Researchers must
determine whether they are attempting to ‘prove’ or ‘explore’ some phenomenon.
Experimental and quasi-experimental studies are typically used to show
causality. They are tested over time and include the elements to prove cause
and effect. Descriptive studies are not used to show causality, but aim to
explore some phenomenon or lay the groundwork for future research.
StatsBusters approach to Research Designs addresses the most appropriate design
for your research needs. A multidisciplinary approach means our statistics
consultants can develop Research Designs in fields such as psychology,
business, sociology, political science, biology, anthropology, education, and
many others.
StatsBusters believes ethics are the most important part of conducting
research. Our consultants always strive to meet or exceed ethics standards that
have been adopted by the American Psychological Association and British
Psychological Society. StatsBusters consultants know that the success of our
company depends on promoting honest and transparent research.
© 2006 StatsBusters, LLC. StatsBusters is an American and British cooperative.
The United States and United Kingdom member firms are separate and independent
legal entities and each describes itself as such. All rights reserved.
StatsBusters Online Privacy Statement and Disclaimer
