RESEARCH STUDY DESIGN 2

Research Study Design

The advertisement for research subjects is too scant to be of any meaningful use. I am
particularly concerned with lack of specific information about the researchers. The identities and
credentials have not been provided. One is, therefore, left wondering whether they are legitimate
researchers or not. It is also hard to determine their credibility.

Apart from their identities and credentials, there is a lot of important information that
ought to be on the advert that is missing. For instance, the researchers have not provided a
purpose for the research. The purpose could have been provided in a brief statement of purpose
explaining the objectives and intentions of the study. With such a statement, potential subjects
will know the researchers’ reasons for studying the two leadership styles.

The researchers have also not mentioned their target population. The absence of this
information suggests that anyone in the general population can be a subject in the research study
regardless of their age, level of education, race, ethnicity, gender, and other demographic details.
However, it is impossible to make a meaningful study using general population because of the
large number of diverse dimensions for such a population. It is important for the researchers to
narrow down their target population not just to get useful results but also help potential subjects
determine whether to apply for the study or not. When characteristics of the subjects of the study
are provided only those who meet them will apply for the study.

Lastly, the researchers have not made any effort to entice subjects to participate in the
study. For instance, they would easily get study subjects if they specified that the study would a
short time. Or that there will be compensation for persons who participate in the research.

RESEARCH STUDY DESIGN 3
Without such information that may encourage participation, the researchers may struggle to find
suitable subjects for the study.

If I could design an ideal method for the study would include all the information that is
lacking from the advertisement. I would provide the credentials of the researchers, their
statement of purpose for the research, target population for study subjects, and any other
information about the research that would help potential study subjects determine whether or not
to participate in the study. The advert would read something like, “Professor John Smith, PhD
and Mary Calhoun, PhD, from the University of Pennsylvania wish to carry out a study whose
aim is to understand the relationship between A and B displayed in X and styles of leadership
among African Americans in the state of South Carolina. Participants should be of any gender
and race between the age of 23 and 46. The study will be a survey lasting for less than two hours
and will be performed online. Interested persons should contact the numbers provided below”.
This statement provides most of the information that a potential research subject would be
interested in knowing and, therefore, is likely to attract suitable participants.

In conclusion, the scant advertisement looking for research subjects means that the
researchers will hardly get suitable subjects for their study. The example I have provided offers
all the relevant information about the study. Thus, it is likely to not just provide the researchers
with desirable subjects, but also help them achieve the objectives of the study.