Align_and_Integrate

Align and Integrate the Research Design

Align and Integrate the Elements of the Design

The nine research framework components form a complete research methodology or design. The research design components must be internally consistent and congruent. As should be obvious at this point, the decisions that are made in each component impact the decisions in other components. The permutations (combinations of components) that are possible are many. One way to help deal with the complexity of a research design is to focus on the conceptual framework. Each time that a component is changed, go back to the conceptual framework. If there is an inconsistency between the component and the conceptual framework you have two options: (1) revise the conceptual framework or (2) revise the component. If you choose to adjust or revise the conceptual framework then you need to review the other components for alignment and consistency. Each time that you change a component go back and check for alignment and consistency with all the other components. This is why working with a brief document such as a prospectus is much easier than trying to achieve basic alignment with a more comprehensive proposal.