How a Feasibility study can be carried out to ensure the effectiveness of research project

 

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Research projects sometimes succeed and sometimes fail. Therefore, before starting the research project it is important to study whether the project we are going to conduct is feasible or not.

Therefore we have to consider whether the study can be easily completed within the given time frame and with using the given budget and in the same way whether we can complete the research project according to the planned objectives, using planned instruments and whether we can gained the planned outcomes. If it is not feasible or we can not do it easily, we will not be able to reach our objectives, will waste our time, money or resources or else it would be a great burden for us. Therefore, in the planning stage we have to thoroughly study about the feasibility. If we checked whether the project would be feasible, then the manager can start, continue and finish the project very easily, effectively and very efficiently.  

Feasibility of research should evaluate against some considerations. Study designs, clinical relevance, significant, generalizability, access to organization and participants, participant numbers, cost, technical support, source of data, method of collecting data, type of variables, selection of scales of measurement and statistics, available time durations and funding organizations are the major areas that we have to consider when we assessing the feasibility of the research project. 

Further, when considering to above mentioned topics, those will affect for the feasibility of the research project. Mainly we have to take into consideration about the study design. Whether we have to use exploratory, descriptive, causal and any other according to our feasibility. If we have to complete and finalize our results within a certain period, we have to consider think about the study design. As an example if we have to complete it within two three years of time for some research areas like searching life styles or any cause and effect relationship among very rare conditions likewise we cant use some research designs. Therefore, it is very important to decide very correctly at the planning stage of research project about the research design to gain feasible study project.

Easy access to organization and respondents also should well planned at the beginning. After starting the project if we will unable to get the support from the organization to conduct project or collect data then we will be in trouble. Therefore, it is also a factor that we have to consider at the beginning of our study. in the same way we have to check whether there are available participants to conduct the study without having huge effort. 

If we are selecting a area of project where we can not find out enough participants then we have to face many problems and finally we will not be able to complete the study as we expected. Especially if the number of participants were less than we calculated then there will be the error. We have to consider whether the participants are heterogenous or homogenous as well. If it is going to be a homogenous sample then the researcher have to go for a less sample size. If it is heterogenous, can go for a larger sample size. 

Source of data also important when we consider about the feasibility of study. if our major source of data is primary data then the researcher has to collect data. Therefore, we have to consider whether easily collect data or not. If it is secondary data then the researcher can easily collect data without consuming more time. But, the researcher has to balance the two times because collecting secondary data only is affect to the validity of data. 

In addition to that, method of collecting data is also affect to the feasibility of study. If we take larger sample then it is hard to go for in-depth in interview. Questionnaire method is the most convenient and more feasible method to collect data. 

Moreover, it is good to think about the variable type whether nominal, ordinal, interval or ratio. According to the study type or analysis method this would vary. If the variable type is nominal or ordinal, since those are non metric then calculations will be less. Therefore, according to the analysis we can select those. Selection of scales also should be considered to improve feasibility of a study. 

Time required for the study and its availability should be considered. According to the objectives of the study, study type, design, data collection method also should consider and should design a Gantt chart and decide the time frame required for the whole research project. Should design the budget required for the project and check whether the funds are available for the study. decide the time frame required for the whole research project. Should design the budget required for the project and check whether the funds are available for the study. Those are very important factors towards the feasibility of the study. Those are very important factors towards the feasibility of the study. If those are not full filling then the study would not be a feasible one.

If we assess above areas at the planning stage of the project life cycle and we take actions to improve those then we can conduct our research project more feasibly. If the feasible study carried out then it will be ensured the effectiveness of the research project.