itsual Research Design
Overview
Research design turns vague curiosity into a study that can actually answer a question. Method choice, sampling, and operational constraints are decided up front so results are interpretable.
When to Use
- Scoping a new research project
- Choosing between qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods
- Writing research briefs and plans
- Aligning stakeholders on what “done” means
Core Practices
- Write precise research questions or hypotheses
- Match methods to the type of question (exploratory, descriptive, causal)
- Define population, sampling approach, and constraints
- Plan data collection instruments and analysis approach together
- State limitations and non-goals explicitly
- Set decision criteria: what finding would change a choice?
Principles
- A beautiful method answering the wrong question is waste
- Feasibility is part of design, not an afterthought
- Mixed methods need a deliberate integration plan
- Pre-registration of analysis intent reduces motivated reasoning
Verification
- Research questions are specific and answerable
- Method choice is justified against the questions
- Sampling and limitations are explicit
- Stakeholders agree on how findings will be used