Sustainable Coastal Residential Development: Research Design
This paper presents a research design for investigating sustainable coastal residential development. It outlines a case study approach using an online survey administered to 100 business managers actively involved in coastal residential development. The study aims to measure both the actual and potential impacts of such development and assess the capacity of planning processes to manage those impacts. The methodology covers scale development using a six-point Likert scale, data analysis via regression analysis, and procedures for ensuring reliability and validity. The paper also briefly addresses the ethical dimensions of the research.
- Introduction and Research Objectives: Study goals for coastal development sustainability research
- Research Method and Sample: Case study design with online survey of managers
- Scale Development: Six-point Likert scale design and rationale
- Data Analysis: Regression analysis to explore variable relationships
- Reliability and Validity: Standardized procedures to reduce measurement error
- Ethical Issues: Alignment with professional values and human justice
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What makes this paper effective
- The paper clearly articulates a two-pronged research objective — measuring development impacts and evaluating planning capacity — giving the study a focused scope.
- Each methodological section is distinct and logically sequenced, moving from sample selection through data collection, analysis, and validity to ethics.
- The use of a six-point (rather than the standard five-point) Likert scale is explicitly acknowledged, demonstrating awareness of psychometric design choices.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates the standard components of a quantitative research proposal: justification of method (case study), instrument design (structured online questionnaire), scale selection (Likert), statistical technique (regression analysis), and procedural controls for reliability and validity. Each component is tied back to the central research question, showing how design choices serve the study's goals.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a statement of objectives and method justification, then describes the sample and data-collection instrument. Subsequent sections address scale development, statistical analysis, and quality controls, closing with an ethical statement. This follows a conventional research-proposal structure appropriate for undergraduate methods coursework.
Introduction and Research Objectives
This study focuses on sustainable coastal residential development and pursues two primary objectives. First, it aims to measure the actual and potential impacts of coastal residential development. Second, it seeks to measure the capacity of planning processes to manage those impacts. Together, these objectives provide a framework for evaluating both the environmental consequences of development and the effectiveness of governance mechanisms designed to mitigate them.
Research Method and Sample
A case study approach has been chosen as the research method for this study, as case studies allow researchers to focus on a detailed examination of a particular situation — in this case, the current conditions and challenges associated with sustainable coastal residential development.
The research comprises 100 business managers who are currently and actively involved in coastal residential development. Data will be collected through an online survey, and participants' responses will be assessed using regression analysis to ascertain the validity of the outcomes. Accordingly, regression analysis will serve as the primary statistical technique employed in the study.
The survey will be administered via the Internet using a fully structured questionnaire format, in which participants will be asked to select answers from predetermined questions. This approach is intended to yield precise, accurate, and relevant data reflecting the viewpoints of the respondents.
Scale Development
A Likert scale will be used in this study. The Likert scale is a psychometric response-measuring scale widely utilized in survey research. When responding to a Likert scale survey, subjects indicate their level of agreement or disagreement with a particular question or statement (Hanneke, 2000). In this survey, subjects will be presented with six options: (1) I agree, (2) I slightly agree, (3) I quite agree, (4) I quite disagree, (5) I slightly disagree, and (6) I disagree.
The use of a six-point scale, rather than the more common five-point format, eliminates a neutral midpoint and encourages respondents to indicate a directional preference, which may yield more discriminating data on participants' attitudes toward sustainable development practices.
References
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2000). Research methods in education. London: Routledge Falmer.
Hanneke, H-S. (2000). Interaction and the standardized survey interview: The living questionnaire. Cambridge University Press.
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