Yes research design and approach are two different processes of research.

Design deals with selection of samples from an universe defined based on the problem. Samples may be derived from naturally existing population (sampling design) or may be constructed (experimental design) as per the objective under consideration.

Approach deals with the way how to get the answers of the posed problem. Approach may be qualitative or quantitative; may be based on theoretical settings and/or based on statistical techniques. 

Approach is similar to a plan, design is similar to methodology.

Longitudinal survey research, for instance is a study which tries to capture survey data over a period of time, i.e. one year. It requires two or more survey intervals to be considered longitudinal(LONG is a good que word). Cross sectional research attempts to capture data once, at a set point in time. Each has a purpose, and each represents a design. Take for example a school midterm report card followed by a final report card three months apart, this would be a longitudinal design. A one-time customer service survey at the end of a transaction would be considered cross sectional.

Quantitative measure are things we try to guage using numbers, number values help us to compare or benchmark results. For eample , people in country Z live until the age of 72 on average, whereas in country Y people only live until age 54 on average.

Qualitative measures are based on perceptions, judgments, etc. I might go outside and feel hot but my brother standing beside me thinks the tempurature is very hot.

(Solving the above qualitative or quantitative problems would require an approach.)

Each has their place under the umbrella of research, as you get more experience you will be able to judge which approach/design fits the research goals and context of your study. It is not always black and white, sometimes it is at the discretion of the researcher.

If you read through a few journal abstracts, you will get a better flavour as to what these terms entail. 

Yes research design and approach are two different processes of research.

Design deals with selection of samples from an universe defined based on the problem. Samples may be derived from naturally existing population (sampling design) or may be constructed (experimental design) as per the objective under consideration.

Approach deals with the way how to get the answers of the posed problem. Approach may be qualitative or quantitative; may be based on theoretical settings and/or based on statistical techniques. 

According to Sekaran (2003) a research design is set up to decide on, among other issues, how to collect further data, analyze and interpret them, and finally, to provide an answer to the problem.

 Sekaran (2003) has identified six elements of research design. They are listed below.

1.      Purpose of the study

2.      Type of investigation

3.      Extent of researcher interference

4.      Study setting

5.      Unit of analysis

6.      The time horizon

Sekaran (2003) wrote:

“The researcher would determine the appropriate decisions to be made in the study design based on the problem definition, the research objectives, the extent of rigor desired, and cost considerations. Sometimes, because of the time and costs involved, a researcher might be constrained to settle for less than the ideal research design. For instance, the researcher might have to conduct a cross-sectional instead of a longitudinal study, do a field study rather than an experimental design, choose a smaller rather than a larger sample size, and so on, thus sub-optimizing the research design decisions and settling for a lower level of scientific rigor because of resource constraints."

Research approach

Saunders (2007) states that research approach is a general term for inductive or deductive research approach.

References

Saunders, M.N., 2007. Research methods for business students, 5/e. Pearson Education India.

 Sekaran, U., 2003. Research methods for business: A skill building approach. John Wiley & Sons.

A research method is a general framework guiding a research project. Different methods can be used to tackle different questions. Research design is a specific outline detailing how your chosen method will be applied to answer a particular research question.

Research Methods

Research methods are generalized and established ways of approaching research questions (e.g., qualitative vs. quantitative methods). Not all methods can be applied to all research questions, so the choice of method is limited by the area of research that you wish to explore.

Research Design

Research design involves determining how your chosen method will be applied to answer your research question. The design of your study can be thought of as a blueprint detailing what will be done and how this will be accomplished. Key aspects of research design include: research methodology; participant/sample collection and assignment (if different conditions are being explored); and data collection procedures and instruments.

Relationship

Choice of research methods and design should be thought of as a reciprocal process extending well into your study. For example, it may arise over the course of your study that there is a flaw in the design. Changing the design of the study may lead to the choice (or addition) of a different method which, in turn, may lead to subsequent changes in the design to accommodate the new method(s

Research is a general term which covers all kinds of studies designed to find

responses to useful questions by means of a systematic and scientific approach” (What is research? - Participating in research - Understanding ..., 2009). On the flip side of the coin, a design is a roadmap or a strategic approach for someone to achieve a unique expectation. It defines the specifications, plans, parameters, costs, activities, processes and how and what to do within legal, political, social, environmental, safety and economic constraints in achieving an objective (Design, 2015). It can, therefore, be concluded that the term research design can be referred to as “how a researcher puts a research study together to answer a

question or a set of questions. Research design works as a systematic plan outlining the study, the researchers' methods of compilation, details on how the study will arrive at its conclusions and the limitations of the research” (Wills & Michael)). Also, Joseph (2014) stated that “a research design refers to the conceptual structure within which research is conducted; it entails the blueprint for the collection, measurement, and analysis of data”.

Studies made by the researcher shows that the ultimate function of a research design is to ensure that the evidence obtained enables the researcher to effectively address the research problem logically and as unambiguously as possible ( Types of Research Designs , 2015).

hello there,

I have a question regarding using different approaches to answer different Questions in one study.

my study is a qualitative one but can I use case study approach to answer some questions while an ethnography approach to answer other questions?

I have different types of participants (children, parents), so can I use different approaches to answer the Q of each category of participants?

best regards,

Meehan