Some Basics on (mostly qualitative) Research Design (Version 2020)

This is the latest version of a document that provides an introduction into some fundamental decisions when it comes to draft a research design. It originated from the experiences gathered while teaching Research Design to PhD students at several universities and workshops and was updated ever since its first version from 2004. Among other things, it includes a discussion about the 'what-why-how', the difference between empirical and theoretical designs, the role of research puzzles, as well as the different forms of empirical theorisation (generalisation, abstraction, translation) and their relation to the naturalist/interpretivist divide.