How is research design best defined?

Research design is best understood as a framework that the researcher creates to guide the entire research process. This framework encompasses various aspects, including the selection of research methods, the identification of variables to be studied, and the strategies for data collection and analysis. By establishing a structure, the research design helps to ensure that the study is methodologically sound and that it effectively addresses the research questions or hypotheses.

While systematic reviews of literature, hypothesis-driven studies, and collections of interviews can be components or methodologies within a research study, they do not encompass the broader perspective of what a research design entails. A systematic review is a specific type of synthesis of existing literature rather than a design framework itself. Similarly, a hypothesis-driven study and collections of interviews refer to particular approaches within a potential research design but do not represent the overarching structure or plan that governs the study. Therefore, defining research design as a framework captures its essential function in organizing and directing research efforts.