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Zendy and IntechOpen’s Joint Webinar: Addressing Accessibility, Discoverability and a Sustainable Future.

We hosted a joint webinar with IntechOpen in November that addressed emerging technologies across different industries that contribute to sustainability and research accessibility and discovery.

The webinar was titled, “Emerging Technologies – Partnering for Accessibility, Discoverability and a Sustainable Future.” The session featured 3 key speakers, Dr. Jo Havemann representing AfricArXiv, Professor Tatiana Morosuk from Technical University of Berlin and Zendy’s Head of Marketing, Monica Chinsami.

Each speaker articulated how their organisation works to increase sustainable practices through research dissemination. Zendy’s Head of Marketing, Monica Chinsami highlighted our library’s initiatives to advance the accessibility and discoverability of scholarly literature. In an effort to break geographical barriers in research, Zendy partners with leading publishers to ensure their content reaches regions with limited access via our global subscription. 

Additionally, Professor Tatiana Morosuk from the Technical University of Berlin placed emphasis on the transionary period the energy sector is experiencing as it moves away from fossil fuel and towards technology focused on sustainability. The professor stated the importance of innovation to advance sustainable practices and energy use. 

Finally, Dr. Jo Havemann stated how AfricArXiv is on a mission to make African research more discoverable as this is in line with SDG 4 (Quality Education), the organisation announced their collaboration with Ubuntunet which is a network provider that assists with connectivity and infrastructure for research and education institutions. 

Advancing research dissemination catalyses SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). As equitable research platforms emerge and partner to expand their reach, the more academic research is democratised to create knowledgable societies. 

We look forward to hosting more webinars in 2024, to tackle and highlight the initiatives in the world of academia.

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23 Reflections to Recap Zendy’s 2023 Journey

Welcome to Zendy’s annual recap, where we reflect on another year of milestones. The ever-evolving landscape of scholarly communication this year was anything but stagnant, dominated by themes of openness, integrity, inclusion, and innovation. As we reflect on 2023, we’re proud to have welcomed new publishers, attended events, celebrated milestones with our users, and released some really great features to continue to support our users on their research and learning journey.

How we enhanced our user experience

  1. We developed and launched ZAIA

Our most anticipated and exciting feature launch this year was ZAIA – Zendy’s AI assistant. Ask any question, and ZAIA will analyse millions of researchers papers to give you credible answers backed by references. If you haven’t already, log in to your Zendy account and put ZAIA to the test!

  1. We launched Zendy Plus globally

We launched our global subscription plan at Frankfurt Book Fair 2023! The plan allows students, researchers and professionals globally to access scholarly material from leading publishers for the monthly price of a single research paper. This was a key milestone for us as our previous Zendy Plus plan was limited to several countries. Having an affordable and equitable access model strengthens our mission to remove the barriers to scholarly literature. 

  1. Keyphrase Highlighting

We released an AI-powered keyphrase highlighting tool. Instead of having multiple tabs open, looking for definitions and further research on a concept, Zendy highlights keyphrases in just one click to allow readers to grasp key research concepts quickly.

  1. Summarisation

We also released an AI-powered summarisation tool. This tool summarises lengthy research papers into a concise paragraph on demand. This significantly helps readers save time during literature review. 

  1. Reading Lists

Earlier this year, we launched a reading list feature. Reading lists can be used to organise and categorise research papers according to projects, subject areas or whichever method the reader finds simplest to navigate through. 

  1. New UI coming soon

The team has been working on a brand new UI to transform the user journey on Zendy. Zendy will reveal a new fresh look very soon, with additional personalisation features to further enhance the discovery of scholarly literature. 

Milestones we marked with our users 

  1. Welcomed over 400,000 readers

We’re proud to support over 400,000 readers from 200 countries and territories on Zendy! We thank our valued community for their consistent support. The trust of our community fuels our mission to keep striving for a world where equal access to research is a reality. 

  1. Over a 6 million searches & 2.5 million downloads

We have seen over 6 million keywords searched on the platform. Searches ranging from the neural networks, to enteric bacteria, and social impact – we’re proud to support a diverse community of students, researchers, and professionals. We marked over 2.5 million downloads on Zendy! As we continue to work with new publishers, we look forward to bringing an even better selection of content to our readers. 

We exhibited, presented, and attended many events!

  1. Presented at Charleston Hub 2023

Our Partner Relations Manager, Sara Crowley Vigneau presented at Charleston Hub in partnership with IGI Global. The presentation titled ‘On the Open Road: The story of an OA publication through the stakeholder journey’ looked at the journey of a publication through the eyes of each custodian. 

  1. Exhibited at STEP 2023

Earlier this year, our team exhibited Zendy at STEP 2023. Showcasing our Zendy alongside various startups inspired the team to learn from other tech products in the Middle Eastern region. 

  1. Sponsored and presented at the Forum for Open Research MENA 

We were proud to sponsor the Forum of Open Research MENA, which is an event that highlights and advances open access initiatives in the Arab region. Our head of technology, Rodrigo Pinto, presented his insightful research paper titled, “Leveraging Big Data and Machine Learning to Enhance Open Data Quality: Insights for Developing Regions.” 

  1. Exhibited at Frankfurt Book Fair

It was a pleasure to exhibit and connect with new and existing partners at Frankfurt Book fair 2023. We hosted a launch event at this year’s fair, showcasing our Zendy Plus global subscription offering. Thanks to all who attended! 

  1. Presented at the MENA Panel

Our co-founder, Kamran Kardan spoke at The MENA panel titled, “AI wrote this abstract: The Impact of AI on higher education and academic research.” The discussion touched on the impact of AI on higher education, dissecting how it affects teaching, learning and ethical guidelines. 

  1. Attended London Book Fair

We attended the London Book Fair earlier this year. Our team met with many of our partners and other key leaders in scholarly communication. We look forward to exhibiting at next year’s fair.

  1. Exhibited at UKSG 2023

We also exhibited at our first UKSG conference this year. It was a really great experience connecting with and learning from some of the best minds in our global knowledge community. 

  1. Joint Webinar with InTechOpen

We partnered with InTechOpen to host a joint webinar titled, “Emerging Technologies – Partnering for Accessibility, Discoverability and a Sustainable Future.” Zendy’s Head of Marketing, Monica Chinsami, presented on the panel alongside Prof Tatiana Morosuk, Editorial Board Member of IntechOpen’s Green Energy and Environmental Technology (GEET) journal, and Dr Jo Havemann, Co-founder of AfricArXiv.

We welcomed new partners

  1. IEEE

In September, we integrated IEEE’s open access research content. This partnership has brought significant technological research across various areas of study, like aerospace, robotics and more on Zendy. 

  1. IT Governance

In June, we partnered with IT Governance, which is a leading publisher of books on information technology, cybersecurity and governance. 

  1. IGI Global

We partnered with IGI Global, a leading publisher focused on research across different specialisms under the vast umbrella of Science. This partnership saw the addition of leading e-journals as well as book content across subject areas including Business & Management; Scientific, Technical, Medical (STM); and Education. 

  1. Bristol University Press

We also signed an agreement with Bristol University Press. BUP is well known for producing scholarship that advances theory, knowledge and learning within and beyond academia.

  1. InTechOpen

We also welcomed IntechOpen to our partner community. InTechOpen specialises in journals and books in the fields of Medicine, Technology and Science. 

A couple of things we published

  1. Published SDG Report

This year, we published an SDG report in partnership with Knowledge E. This comprehensive report helps us keep track of our efforts in accelerating the aims of the UN’s publishers compact. With a focus on SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), Zendy progresses to ensure that academic research is accessible to everyone everywhere. 

  1. An analysis of OER’s on Research Information

Our co-founder, Kamran Kardan, wrote a piece on the future of Open Educational Resources and how the industry is preparing for them. In summary, with the uncapped potential of responsible AI, the future looks bright and full of innovative opportunities to positively impact societal progress.

We look forward to continuing our journey together in 2024, and we thank you for your unwavering support. 

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Zendy Launches ZAIA, a Domain-Specific AI Assistant

United Arab Emirates, 15 December 2023 – AI-powered research library, Zendy, announced the launch of its AI Assistant, ZAIA, a domain-specific Large Language Model (LMM) developed by Zendy’s data science team.

ZAIA (short for Zendy AI Assistant) exists to help researchers quickly understand key research concepts and discover research papers that specifically link to inputs. These two functions enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the literature review process.

You can ask any research-related question, and ZAIA will analyse millions of academic research papers to give you credible answers backed by references. 

Unlike general-purpose language models, ZAIA is trained with Zendy’s own data. In the future,  it can also query, in real-time, additional sources from publisher data that are not available on the public domain.

There is growing recognition of the necessity for domain-specific solutions to strengthen the credibility of data. Fine tuning models on domain-specific data narrows down the LLM’s focus to improve performance in a defined context, thus reducing the likelihood of hallucinations.

“We developed ZAIA to advance the usage of AI on research platforms and improve the research discovery process for researchers. ZAIA aims to assist readers on Zendy by quickly solving research-related questions. ZAIA stands out from other AI products as it is fed real-time data and information available on Zendy, which is then fine-tuned to efficiently cater to our users,” said Zendy’s Head of Technology, Rodrigo Pinto. 

“The first iteration of our LLM, ZAIA, is our unique AI offering for Zendy users who can now leverage the best of AI to improve their research discovery process. This is a very exciting milestone for Zendy and we look forward to the feedback from our valued users,” said Zendy Co-founder Kamran Kardan. 

Committed to helping foster an ecosystem of collaborative partnerships rooted in responsible AI practices, Zendy’s Large Language Model is built to be entirely customisable. It has the capacity to learn from diverse datasets with integration made simple through Restful API’s or Websocket APIs. 

“Bigger picture, our technology presents limitless potential for organisations and institutions yet to integrate the power of LLMs into their workflows. The potential is immeasurable, with use cases including on-demand tutoring, psychology support services, employee onboarding, the list goes on,” continued Kamran Kardan. 

To find out more about Zendy’s AI solutions email hello@zendy.io

You can use ZAIA now on Zendy. To access, log in or sign up to Zendy: www.zendy.io.

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Understanding Research Hypothesis: Perfect your hypothesis for your research statement

In academic research, the hypothesis statement directs the course of investigation and exploration. It serves as the foundation of an experiment as it is a proposed outcome, this guides the methodology and findings of a research design. In this blog, we shed light on the significance and intricacies of formulating an effective hypothesis that solidifies the approach while investigating its impact on relevant variables. 

What is a research hypothesis?

A research hypothesis is a testable statement that predicts the relationship between two variables and how they impact one another. A good research hypothesis has no ambiguity, clearly specifies variables and is structured to be proven or countered depending on the trajectory of the study. This statement should also specify how the study aims to generate new knowledge through the experiment. 

What are the different types of hypotheses? 

Hypothesis TypeDefinitionExample
Simple Proposes a relationship between independent and dependent variable.Increased sunlight exposure leads to higher plant growth.
Complex Proposes relationships between two or more independent and dependent variables.Increased sunlight exposure impacts the growth rate of specific plant species, and this effect is contingent upon factors such as the plant’s genetic makeup, soil composition, and optimal climatic conditions, implying that while sunlight plays a crucial role, its influence on plant growth is mediated by multifaceted environmental and genetic variables.
DirectionalDetails the directions derived from theory, specifies the steps to be taken to identify a relationship between relevant variables. Increased sunlight exposure significantly increases the rate of plant growth.
Non-directionalDoes not predict exact nature of relationship between variables and is usually applied when there’s an absence of theory and contradictory results.There is a relationship between sunlight exposure and plant growth.
NullProposes that there is no relationship between variables, justifies the generation of results through chance. There is no significant effect of increased sunlight exposure on plant growth.
AlternativeOpposite to null, alternative hypothesis states that there is a significant relationship between two variables. Increased sunlight exposure is associated with higher plant growth.

Components of a hypothesis

In the case of research experiments, a good hypothesis contains independent and dependent variables, the predicted relationship between them, and the outcome of this relationship. 

Example hypothesis: 

  • Variables: Employee job satisfaction (independent variable) influences productivity levels (dependent variable) within an organization.
  • Predicted Relationship: Higher job satisfaction among employees will lead to increased productivity levels.
  • Outcome: The study might find that departments or teams with higher job satisfaction scores tend to demonstrate greater productivity, implying a positive relationship between job satisfaction and productivity.

Why is a well-written hypothesis important? 

A well-written hypothesis is the foundation of a research study, it helps the researcher determine how to address the investigation. A good hypothesis also aids in assuming the probability of the study’s failure or progress while also ensuring the methodologies are scientifically valid. Furthermore, the research hypothesis statement links the underlying theory to the research question while also measuring the reliability and validity of the study itself. 

Common hypothesis errors to avoid

Your research hypothesis should be specific and clear. When constructing the hypothesis, try to be as concise as possible while understanding that less is more. The following should be avoided in research hypotheses: 

  • Ambiguity, overgeneralisation and lack of specifics
  • Having too many variables without establishing clear relationship between them
  • Unvalid or insufficient justification of variable relationship

FAQs

  1. What are some tips for ensuring testability of a hypothesis?

The hypothesis should be structured in a way wherein the possibility of it being being false or true is present. Furthermore, the results of the hypothesis should be reproducible. 

  1. How do I differentiate between a research question and a research hypothesis?

A research question states what the study will investigate without making any assumptions or predictions, whereas a hypothesis answers that question through predicting relationships between variables and their possible outcome. 

  1. What are the potential drawbacks of a poorly formulated hypothesis?

Having a poor hypothesis structure can negatively impact the research design as the hypothesis statement guides the methodology and findings sections. 


Discover millions of open access research papers across an array of disciplines on Zendy now.

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See the Top Reads of November 2023

As we approach the end of 2023, this blog explores November’s insightful top reads featuring research papers from various areas of study such as psychology, political media, law, cancer research and technology within justice systems. 

  1. The Art of Remembering

This article discusses how our memory can be strengthened in this printing and note-making era, through the “loci method”. This method involves constructing visual images of objects and mentally placing them in a familiar space, to recall the memory you would need to simply retrace your steps back to where you mentally placed the item. 

Learn more here: Psychology: The Art of Remembering

  1. Post-mining Policies in The Eastern USA Coal Region

This journal article discusses the development of mining laws in the US. Since 1977, mine operators are required to conduct a pre-mining analysis and designate a usage for the land once mining and extraction has concluded. Accepted post-mining use of land are: prime farmland, hay land and pasture, biofuel crops, forestry, wildlife habitat and building site development. This article emphasises that post-mining conditions should provide ecosystem services and lands capable of handling future societal needs. 

Learn more here: Post-mining policies and practices in the Eastern USA coal region

  1. Integrative Approach to Cancer Research

This article states that precision oncology has progressed cancer treatment focused on actionable gene mutation, however the majority of cancers don’t have druggable oncogene mutations. The paper proposes that for precision oncology to progress, it has to consider more than just genetics; therefore suggesting researchers should focus on immunotherapy which is a treatment used to help the body’s immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. Furthermore, the paper urges medical professionals to take advantage of research across numerous fields as patient care is not one universal approach. 

Learn more here: Integrative approaches to cancer research

  1. Political Public Relations: Media and Information Management

This article argues that information in political PR is disseminated by manipulating the material, which is commonly known as “communication spin”. It explores how governments assign communications specialists to execute these spins since media and information management are the most important aspects of political PR. The paper goes on to assess and analyse various spin techniques used in political PR that governments deem “acceptable.” 

Learn more here: Political Public Relations − Media and Information Management

  1. Algorithms in Swiss Criminal Justice System

The Swiss justice system is shaped by algorithms which were implemented due to demands for efficiency and political advancement. This paper calls for a critical evaluation and research-based optimisation of these algorithms as the societal implications and legal foundations on the usage of such technology is loosely considered. Furthermore, the paper suggests that potential racial disparity and decline in user responsibility have been criticised widely. 

Learn more here: Smart criminal justice: exploring the use of algorithms in the Swiss criminal justice system

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Zendy’s Head of Technology, Rodrigo Pinto, presents at F.O.R.M 2023.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – 28 November 2023 – Our head of technology, Rodrigo Pinto Mendez, presented his paper titled: “Leveraging Big Data and Machine Learning to Enhance Open Data Quality: Insights for Developing Regions” at the Forum for Open Research panel that tackled “Open Data and Open Source: Benefits and Case Studies.”

The presentation addresses the need for accurate and reliable open data, focusing on developing regions that can accelerate their social and economic progress through data-driven insights. It explores the relationship between big data and machine learning in enhancing the quality of open data while also observing how open data can be extracted, transformed, and unified. The talk also assesses how machine learning can be used to detect anomalies within datasets.

About F.O.R.M. 2023

The 2023 Annual Forum featured panels addressing key themes related to the advancement of Open Science policies and practices in research institutions and communities throughout the Arab world. This 2023 conference theme was: Democratizing Knowledge: The evolution of open science ecosystems and communities in the Arab World. 

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Discover and avoid these types of plagiarism in your next academic paper

Originality is crucial in academic research. The initial approval process to conduct research relies on the originality of the idea and the new contribution the paper would make to the area of study. Academic research papers should be varied but rather drive the development of an idea or concept. This acceleration of new knowledge is hindered when plagiarism takes place.  

What is plagiarism? 

Plagiarism is the practice of presenting another person’s work or idea as your own. In the world of academia, this is a serious offense that can negatively impact a researcher’s career as their papers are usually retracted and they lose their credibility. Educational institutions like universities and colleges can expel and bar students from being admitted to other institutions as this ethical offense is reflected on their record.

Common types of plagiarism

Type DefinitionHow to avoid
Direct PlagiarismWord-for-word duplication of somebody else’s content– Acknowledge and cite the source.
– Paraphrase the content by changing sentence voice (active to passive or vice versa)
– Include quotation marks in direct qoutes.
Paraphrasing PlagiarismOriginal author’s work is restructured very similarly without citing them and their research. – Use synonyms for non-generic words.
– Paraphrase by changing sentence voice and change clauses to phrases.
Mosaic PlagiarismOccurs when phrases are taken from the original author without quotation marks and citations. – Appropriately cite sources using quotation marks and footnotes.
Self-plagiarismUtilising your own sentence structures and ideas from previously submitted work without citing the source. – Ensure there is sufficient material to justify the new paper.
– Appropriately cite the original source.
Patchwork PlagiarismOccurs when material is copied from several sources and rearranged to create their own flow on a new paper without crediting any new sources. – Paraphrase material into your own words.
– Enclose verbatim content in quotation marks and cite.
Accidental PlagiarismOccurs when the author inaccurately cites sources, misquotes information or unintentionally paraphrases too similarly without the intent to present ideas as their own.– Proofread research paper multiple times before submitting.
– Cite everything that was not discovered by you, including widely-known information.

How to avoid plagiarism 

When working on a research paper, you can try and apply the following strategies to avoid committing plagiarism: 

  • Cite your sources

When stating an idea or presenting information that you have found through a different source, add the proper in-text citation to indicate that this material is “borrowed”. 

  • Include quotation marks

When quoting a source verbatim, using quotation marks helps avoid plagiarism and indicates that these words are relevant but not yours. The quote should also include it’s source.

  • Paraphrase

Paraphrasing can be tricky as it is a thin line between itself and plagiarism, it involves restructuring ideas into your own words without changing their meaning and intent. This also needs to be appropriately cited. 

  • Present your ideas

Your research paper should constructively explain your perspective on the information that is cited. Touch on how this is relevant to your findings or argument. 

  • Use plagiarism tracker

Utilising plagiarism detection tools can help avoid accidental plagiarism. These tools highlight plagiarised content and provide an overall percentage to help users understand their paper’s problem areas. 

Ethical writing practices

In academic writing, ethical guidelines demand authors to avoid weaknesses of bias and exclusive language, while encouraging authors to write on a range of perspectives that are relevant to the area of study and clearly indicate through citations where external material has been incorporated into the paper. The infographic below describes 3 strategies to make sure your academic writing skills are in line with ethical guidelines. 

Plagiarism detection tools

These detection tools ensure that academic research papers are original. They compare the material to a vast database of existing information and highlight any duplicated material, this helps maintain the author’s credibility and authenticity while avoiding certain legal issues. 

Here are a few detectors that Zendy recommends:

In conclusion, plagiarism is a serious academic offense that taints a researcher or student’s career by taking away their credibility and authenticity. Which is why the approval process of academic research is a rigorous one, to ensure the author and researchers have sufficient new contributions and perspectives within a specific area of study. Furthermore, establishing a practice of scanning lengthy research papers against recommended detection tools benefits researchers in citing all content appropriately and even avoids accidental plagiarism.

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See the Top Reads of October 2023

Welcome to Zendy’s top read highlights — the top five research papers of the month. In the evolving landscape of academic scholarship, we bring you a selection of noteworthy contributions to research. From the depths of science and humanities to the forefront of technology and law, these papers exemplify academic excellence. 

Law of the Sea and Democracy

This journal article discusses how the laws that govern oceans are democratic however they are not directly related to democracy. The paper goes on to emphasize the complex framework of sea law recognizing that most democratic countries abide by it and how it has presented conflict in sea usage which escalates issues in international law. It also touches on how certain nations are divided on various sea matters such as coastal countries versus those that rely on open sea or developing versus developed countries. 

Read more here: Law of the Sea and Democracy

Graphic Design and Button Placement

This journal article is an analysis of user preferences regarding button placements on map applications, the study focuses on 6 map applications and analysed them based on the graphic diversity of buttons. The research concluded that to achieve effective map application design, the process needs to start considering the smallest possible device the application would be used on. 

Read more here: Graphic Design and Button Placement for Mobile Map Applications

Flipped Micro-modules for Teaching Sustainable Engineering Practices

This journal article explores a teaching method known as “flipped micro-module pedagogy” wherein students utlise AR and VR technology to engage in immersive learning, use social media platforms to disseminate course materials, and the method encourages project-basec learning where students apply their learnings to real-world issues. The goal of the study is to assess whether engineering students find this approach effective compared to their existing curriculum. 

Read more here: Flipped Micro-Modules for Teaching Sustainable Engineering Practices

Evaluation of Carbon Farming Strategies

This journal article places emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in organic vegetable growth. It proposes carbon farming as an alternative because the method improves soil health, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and supports biodiversity, however, the how effective carbon farming is, is unclear. The study also highlights the importance of measuring and estimating changes in soil carbon stock and potential environmental and economic impact on farmers. The findings suggest that carbon farming can be beneficial in various aspects however further research is required to optimise implementation. 

Read more here: The Evaluation of Carbon Farming Strategies in Organic Vegetable Cultivation

The Science of Judicial Psychology

This paper claims that crime in Romania has seen an increase due to severe economic and social challenges and the crisis of authority within institutions, emphasising that in this context crime is driven by needs, tendencies, motives and goals. The article goes on to dissect the complexity of criminal behaviour while highlighting all relevant motivators and factors that lead to a crime being committed. 

Read more here: The Science of Judicial Psychology

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What is Research Design? A Comprehensive Guide to Design Types, Components and Challenges

Zendy - What is research design?

Research design is the strategy that tackles collection, interpretation and discussion of data, it determines how research will be carried out. A well-planned research design ensures that the methods correspond with research objectives, quality data is collected and analysis is done appropriately. Research design is essentially the blueprint that guides the research writing process, shaping the questions, methods, and conclusions. In this blog, we explore the key components of research design, discuss different approaches and methodologies, and provide insights into how to create a robust design that yields valuable insights.

Types of Research Design

Before beginning the research process, it is imperative to determine the type of research design that will comprehensively answer or prove the research question or statement. 

Research DesignDefinition
ExploratoryExplores the gaps in research, which are areas that have not been explored in depth.
DescriptiveFocuses on everything besides the “why”. Descriptive research aims to obtain sufficient information to describe a phenomenon. 
ExplanatorySpecifically investigates the “why”. Sets out to equip reader with further knowledge on the subject area and predict developmental trajectory. 
ExperimentalThis is the process of carrying out research in a controlled and objective manner to produce credible results that align with a thesis statement. 
Cross-sectionalThis is an observational study that measures both the outcome and exposure of certain stimuli
LongitudinalThese are repetitive cross-sectional studies where participants are observed over a long period of time. 
Case studyThis is an in-depth study conducted over a period of time to observe the development of a situation or a person. 

Components of Research Design

Design components are the building blocks of constructing an effective research design. To yield objective findings, the research design should be set up in a way that every relevant contributing factor is either a variable or a control to influence the experiment appropriately. 

Design ComponentRelevance and Definition
Research question The research question is what the research or project is designed to answer, formulating and phrasing the research question dictates the data collection and analysis methods.
HypothesisThis is a proposed explanation that is based off of the limited research and evidence, it is the starting point of further research and investigation.
VariablesThese are measurable factors. There are 2 kinds of variables; independent and dependent and they are used to observe cause and effect relationships.
Data collection methodsThese are the ways in which primary research can be conducted and the most common ones are surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations etc. 
Sampling techniquesThese are strategies to select participants based on relevant factors. The most common techniques are snowball, cluster, stratified, systematic, randomised, quota and convenience. 
Data analysisThis is the most crucial stage of research as it summarises the data in an analytical manner to establish patterns, trends or relations. 

What Are The Objectives Of Research Design?

The objectives of research design play a key role in guiding a study’s methods and making sure its results are valid and reliable. These objectives include:

  • Clarity of Research Objectives: 

A good research design gives you a clear vision for your study. It helps you know what you want to do and what you hope to find out.

  • Increased Validity and Reliability:

How you design your research makes a big difference in the accuracy and trustworthiness of your results. It helps reduce bias and keeps outside factors in check, leading to dependable findings.

  • Improved Data Collection:

When you have a strong research setup, you can make sure you collect data in an orderly and consistent way. This organised approach cuts down on mistakes and makes sure you’re getting the most useful information for your study.

  • Better Data Analysis:

Well-designed research sets you up to analyse data. By making sure you gather data in a way that makes sense, you’ll be able to draw meaningful conclusions from your work. 

  • Better Communication:

One of the main objectives of research design is to make it easier for your team and professor to talk to each other. When you present your findings, people grasp them more. This helps your work to have a stronger effect. 

To sum up, the objectives of research design act as a roadmap for carrying out research in an orderly way and achieving solid, worthwhile results.

Creating Effective Research Design

For a research design to be effective, all the components must align with one another. To ensure this alignment, the researcher should determine whether the data needs to be qualitative or quantitative while also considering the scope of the research question and the answer the study derives. To avoid misalignment of components, refer to the order below: 

• Your research objectives must be consistent with the “gap” that your research is addressing. 

• Your research questions must be aligned with research objectives. 

• Your hypotheses must be aligned with your research questions. 

• Your research method must be appropriate to research objectives and research questions. 

• Your research design must be consistent with your research method. 

• Your research methodology must be consistent with research design.

Zendy - Steps to creating effective research design

Common Challenges & Tackling Them

  1. Participant and sample collection

The most efficient way to attract participants is to have incentives and learn to “sell” your research project to potential participants, this would make them more willing to partake in the study. 

  1. Finding research collaborators

The first place to look for collaborators is within your own professional network. However, if you’ve struggled to find them, then you can look into expanding your network by attending academic conferences. Another tip is to look for collaborators that challenge you to see your research through different aspects. 

  1. Finding research funding

To find research funding, try to branch out to international sources as well. Look for online sources and apply, this can help put you in touch with international researchers which also fosters collaboration and inclusivity within your research. 

In conclusion, research design is the compass that guides the expedition into the realm of knowledge. It is a meticulous process that, when executed effectively, paves the way for discovery, innovation, and progress. As we highlighted the key components of research design, this blog uncovered its multifaceted nature. From the types of research design, each with its unique purpose and methodology, to the essential components that form the building blocks of an effective design, it is clear that a well-planned approach is essential. 

FAQs

What is the role of research design in research study?

The purpose of research design is to dictate the effective plan to carry out the study. It is the approach with which a study is executed, it ensures that all variables within the study are carefully planned for and accurately measured. 

How does the choice of design impact data collection?

The chosen research design ensures that all relevant factors within the research study can be analyzed to provide clear insights. The design determines whether the data collected will be qualitative, quantitative or a mix of both. 

What are the key differences between exploratory and experimental research designs?

The main difference is that experimental research is done in a controlled environment and  exploratory research seeks to answer a question or address a phenomenon or statement.

How can a strong research design enhance the validity of study results?

The strongest research designs avoid far-fetched correlations, rigorously test the hypothesis, and ensure that the results are generalisable.

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Zendy Announces a New Global Subscription Plan at Frankfurt Book Fair 2023

Frankfurt, Germany – October 19 2023Zendy, the AI-powered research library, announced the launch of its global subscription plan at the 75th annual Frankfurt Book Fair event in Germany. This launch enables students, researchers, and professionals around the world to access leading journals, e-books, and research papers on one intuitive platform. 

Founded in 2019, Zendy has introduced an ‘affordable access’ model and is committed to fostering a more affordable and inclusive ecosystem for individuals to read and download scholarly material. 

Despite progress with open science initiatives, the majority of published scientific findings — and the vast majority of prestigious new research is hidden behind paywalls. Given the global disparity in current access models, affordable and accessible solutions are required to facilitate the future of research. 

This global subscription plan gives individuals unlimited access to paywalled research for the monthly price of a single research paper. Zendy also offers a free Open Access plan. Both plans come with a host of features including AI summarisation and keyphrase highlighting and more. 

“Research should be accessible to everyone and it must be affordable. The only way we can address these issues is to shift our perspective on the economics of the publishing industry. Our affordable access solution with Zendy Plus helps publishers increase visibility and proceeds in emerging markets, and most importantly, gives individuals an affordable alternative. It’s taken us years of conversations and collaboration to reach this milestone so we thank our community for their unwavering support,” said Zendy co-founder Kamran Kardan. 

Zendy partners with leading providers and publishers including Bristol University Press, De Gruyter, EBSCO, Emerald Publishing, IEEE, Taylor & Francis, Wiley, and more. 

To find out more, visit: www.zendy.io

About Zendy

Zendy is a product of Knowledge E. Since its inception in 2019, Zendy has introduced over 350,000 users to a better way to  research. Zendy’s intuitive AI-powered research library features millions of journals, articles, e-books, and more; allowing users to access unlimited content for an affordable monthly subscription. Zendy also offers a free open access plan. 

Press contact:
Monica Chinsami
Head of Marketing