Process / pipelineresearch architecture

Research Design Types

Research design is the overall structure and strategy of a study, encompassing decisions about how to collect, organize, and analyze data to answer research questions. Major design types include experimental (randomized controlled trials), quasi-experimental (non-random assignment), observational (no manipulation), and qualitative (exploratory, interpretive). Donald T. Campbell and Julian Stanley's 1963 seminal work established systematic terminology for internal validity threats in each design type. Modern classifications (Campbell et al., 2002; Creswell & Plano Clark, 2011) also include mixed-methods designs combining quantitative and qualitative elements.

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Sources

  1. Campbell, D. T., & Stanley, J. C. (1963). Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs for Research. Rand McNally. link
  2. Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2011). Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications. link
  3. Shadish, W. R., Cook, T. D., & Campbell, D. T. (2002). Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs for Generalized Causal Inference. Houghton Mifflin. link

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Referenced by

ScholarGateResearch Design Types (Classification and Selection of Research Design Types). Retrieved 2026-06-04 from https://scholargate.app/en/research-methodology/research-design-types