It is important that researchers are able to create appropriate research designs which are in line with the purpose and scope of their studies. A well-developed design will achieve the following:

1. Identify the research problem clearly and justify its selection, particularly in relation to any valid alternative designs that could have been used,

2. Review and synthesize previously published literature associated with the research problem,

3. Clearly and explicitly specify hypotheses [i.e., research questions] central to the problem,

4. Effectively describe the data which will be necessary for an adequate testing of the hypotheses and explain how such data will be obtained, and

5. Describe the methods of analysis to be applied to the data in determining whether or not the hypotheses are true or false.