Research Design Vs Research Method: Case Studies

Key Focus of Research Design:

The “what” and “why” of the research
Establishes the structure, flow, and logic
Ensures that the resulting data collected accurately answers the research questions.

Scope:

Broad, strategic, and conceptual
Covers sampling, data sources, timing, and analysis planning
Ensures validity, reliability, and overall coherence (Bryman, 2016)

Common Types of Research Designs:

According to Creswell (2014) and Saunders et al. (2019), standard research designs include:

Descriptive Design – Used to describe characteristics, trends, or phenomena
Experimental Design – Establishes cause-and-effect through controlled manipulation
Correlational Design – Examines relationships between variables
Case Study Design – In-depth exploration of a single case or multiple cases (Yin, 2018)
Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Designs – Study phenomena at one time or over extended periods

Example:

A researcher wants to study whether online learning improves academic performance.
The research design could be:

An experimental design comparing online learners vs. classroom learners (Creswell, 2014).

What Are Research Methods? (The Practical Tools)

Research methods include the techniques and instruments used for data collection and analysis. They directly implement the research design.

Key Focus of Research Methods:

The “how” of data collection
Practical strategies such as surveys, interviews, or observations
Analytical steps, including coding, interpretation, and statistical testing

Scope:

Narrow and applied
Focused on obtaining and interpreting data
Includes both qualitative and quantitative research methods (Bryman, 2016)

Common Research Methods:

Many research methods are used across disciplines, including:

Surveys and questionnaires
Interviews (structured, semi-structured, unstructured)
Focus groups
Observations
Experiments and lab tests
Document and content analysis
Statistical analysis such as regression, correlation, or ANOVA (Kumar, 2019)

Example:

Continuing the earlier example, the researcher may choose:

Tests to assess academic performance
Surveys for student engagement
ANOVA to compare group outcomes (Bryman, 2016)

Summary Table: Research Design Vs Research Method

The following table provides seven distinct comparisons:

Feature	Research Design	Research Methods
Role	The overall blueprint or plan of the study.	Specific tools and procedures for data collection and analysis.
Scope	Broad, conceptual, and strategic	Narrow, operational, and technique-based
Purpose	Ensures coherent alignment between research questions and data.	Provides practical steps to collect and interpret data.
Focus Questions	What is being studied? Why is it studied?	How will the data be collected and analyzed?
Analogy	Architectural blueprint of a house.	Tools such as hammers, nails, and equipment.
Examples	Experimental, descriptive, correlational, case study.	Surveys, interviews, observations, statistical tests.
Timing	Decided before selecting methods.	Selected after the design is finalized.

(Saunders et al., 2019; Creswell, 2014)

Case Studies and Practical Examples

Case Study 1

Studying Employee Burnout

Research Problem: What factors contribute to burnout among IT employees?

Research Design

Correlational design to examine relationships between burnout, workload, and job satisfaction (Bryman, 2016).

Research Methods

Online surveys
Standardized burnout scales
Regression analysis

Case Study 2

Testing a New Teaching Strategy

Research Problem: Does a flipped-classroom model improve student performance?

Research Design

Experimental design with control and treatment groups (Creswell, 2014).

Research Methods

Pre-test/post-test
Interviews for qualitative feedback
ANOVA for statistical comparison

Case Study 3:

Understanding Consumer Perception of Green Packaging

Research Design

Descriptive design to measure consumer attitudes and perceptions (Kumar, 2019).

Research Methods

Focus groups
Likert-scale surveys
Content analysis

Why Understanding the Difference Matters

Many postgraduate researchers struggle because they confuse design with methods. This leads to:

Misalignment between research questions and methodology.
Weak validity or reliability.
Poor defense of proposals or theses.
Inefficient data collection processes.

A strong research design ensures clarity and coherence, while strong research methods ensure accuracy and credibility (Saunders et al., 2019).

FAQs

What comes first—research design or research methods?

Research design always comes first because it defines the study’s direction and logic (Creswell, 2014).

Are qualitative and quantitative approaches designed or methods?

They influence both designs and methods.
For instance, qualitative approaches often use ethnography or phenomenology, while quantitative studies rely on numerical analysis (Bryman, 2016).

Can the same method be used in different research designs?

Yes. For example, interviews can be used in case studies, descriptive studies, or mixed-methods designs (Yin, 2018).

Conclusion

Understanding the distinction between research design and research methods is essential for producing rigorous, logically structured, and defensible academic research. Research design provides the strategic blueprint that determines what the study aims to investigate and why, while research methods supply the practical tools and procedures for collecting and analyzing data.

When these two components are aligned effectively, researchers can generate valid, reliable, and meaningful findings that directly address the research problem. For master’s and PhD students, recognizing how design shapes methodological choices not only strengthens the overall quality of the study but also enhances the clarity, coherence, and impact of the final dissertation or thesis.

References

Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Kumar, R. (2019). Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Bryman, A. (2016). Social Research Methods (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2019). Research Methods for Business Students (8th ed.). Pearson Education.

About The Author

Navjyot Gill

After a career in biochemistry and molecular biology, I now dedicate this ResearchDeep platform to simplifying Master’s and PhD research to assist postgraduate researchers worldwide. To know more, visit the ABOUT page.