Abstract

Research to the scientist is a careful and systematic inquiry, usually requiring considerable time and using the best developed techniques. Research starts with a purpose, an intent to solve a clearly conceived problem. If the problem is to be solved, it is essential that the most appropriate research design be used. However, once a particular design is selected, it may contain flaws. The most serious flaw in a research design is lack of specificity. If specificity is not evident in every aspect of a research design, the whole proposal is suspect because the reader cannot be sure what the investigator intends to do. In fact, there is room for considerable doubt that the investigator really knows what he intends to do. The reader must be sure what the problem is, what the hypotheses state, and what