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Research Design

Supporting the development of methodologically sound research frameworks — from sampling strategy and questionnaire development to logical frameworks, indicator design, and ethical review processes.

Service overview

A Strong Design is the Foundation of Every Good Study

A well-designed research framework is the single most important factor in producing credible, reliable, and actionable findings. MRAC brings deep methodological expertise to every design phase — ensuring your research is built on a solid foundation from the very start.

We work with clients to understand their objectives, context, and resources — then develop a tailored research design that maximizes data quality while remaining practical, ethical, and cost-effective.

Whether you need a quantitative survey framework, a qualitative inquiry design, or a mixed-methods approach, our team will guide you through every step of the design process.

Starting a new study?

Share your research objectives and context — we’ll develop a methodologically sound framework that fits your needs and budget.

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What’s included

Key Services

Comprehensive research design support — from sampling strategy through to ethical review and logframe development.

Sampling Design

Statistically valid and representative sampling strategies tailored to study objectives, target population, and available resources.

Questionnaire Development

Structured, semi-structured, or open-ended questionnaires and data collection tools that capture accurate, relevant information.

Indicator Development

Clear, measurable, and context-specific indicators to assess progress, outcomes, and impact of projects or research interventions.

Logical Frameworks (Logframes)

Structured logframes linking project goals, objectives, outputs, activities, and indicators for effective planning and M&E.

Ethical Review Processes

Guidance on ethical approval procedures, informed consent, confidentiality, and responsible data handling to meet international standards.

Research Methodology Coaching

Personalized support in selecting appropriate methods, instruments, and procedures for researchers and organizational teams.

Research approaches

Three Research Design Approaches

We design studies using all three major methodological approaches — selected based on your objectives and context.

01

Quantitative Design

Structured surveys and numerical data collection for statistical analysis. Ideal for measuring prevalence, trends, and program outcomes across large populations. Uses probability sampling for representative findings.

02

Qualitative Design

In-depth interviews, focus groups, and observations to explore experiences, perceptions, and meanings. Ideal for understanding context, community dynamics, and program processes in depth.

03

Mixed-Methods Design

Combining quantitative and qualitative approaches for comprehensive, multi-dimensional findings. Provides both the breadth of statistical data and the depth of qualitative insight in a single study.

Ethical standards

Research Ethics at the Core

Every research design MRAC develops is built on four core ethical principles — non-negotiable in every project.

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Informed Consent

All participants are fully informed about the study and voluntarily agree to participate before any data is collected.

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Confidentiality

Personal data is anonymized, securely stored, and never shared without explicit permission from participants.

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Non-Maleficence

Research is designed to avoid harm to participants, communities, and the environment throughout the study process.

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Community Benefit

Research is designed to generate findings that benefit communities and contribute to positive development outcomes.

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Need a Solid Research Design?

Tell us your objectives and context — we’ll build a framework that delivers reliable results.