Chapter 3: Research Design

Aims

• This chapter equips the reader to develop an appropriate research design.
• It shows how to make a case for a specific piece of research.
• Hints are provided on formulating and firming up research questions and the role of theory in shaping the focus of research.
• It provides advice on matching research questions with appropriate methods, or combinations of methods.
• It outlines the principles underpinning case study selection.
• It explains the principles of qualitative sampling and shows how to use purposive sampling to advantage in order to facilitate comparisons.
• The importance of sequencing of methods and timetabling are emphasized and examples are presented.
• Finally, this chapter demonstrates the importance of placing qualitative research in context and equips the reader to critically examine the limitations of her/his own studies.

Introduction

This chapter guides ...