Research Design 
A research design is a strategy for answering your research question using empirical data. Creating a research design means making decisions about:
A well-planned research design helps ensure that your methods match your research aims and that you use the right kind of analysis for your data.
You might have to write up a research design as a standalone assignment, or it might be part of a larger research proposal or other project. In either case, you should carefully consider which methods are most appropriate and feasible for answering your question. Scribbr
A qualitative study design is a research method used to understand complex, contextual, and subjective phenomena in context. 
Qualitative research focuses on depth and capturing insights.
This data collection method is more about the “why” and “how” rather than the “how many”, or “how often”. Deakin University
The value of qualitative research is that it gives a voice to the lived experience, offering researchers a deeper insight into a topic or individuals’ experiences. Qualitative data can be combined with quantitative to enhance understanding around a policy or topic in a way that quantitative data by itself often cannot. UK Data Service
Qualitative research focuses on obtaining data through open-ended and conversational communication.
This method is not only about “what” people think but also “why” they think so. For example, consider a convenience store looking to improve its patronage. A systematic observation concludes that the number of men visiting this store are more. One good method to determine why women were not visiting the store is to conduct an in-depth interview of potential customers in the category. QuestionPro
Research methodology is a way of explaining how a researcher intends to carry out their research. It is a logical, systematic plan to resolve a research problem. A methodology details a researcher's approach to the research to ensure reliable, valid results that address their aims and objectives. It encompasses what data they are going to collect and where from, as well as how it's being collected and analyzed. Indeed
Research methods are the strategies, processes or techniques utilized in the collection of data or evidence for analysis in order to uncover new information or create better understanding of a topic. There are different types of research methods which use different tools for data collection. University of Newcastle
Research methods are the strategies, processes or techniques utilized in the collection of data or evidence for analysis in order to uncover new information or create better understanding of a topic. There are different types of research methods which use different tools for data collection. University of Newcastle
Qualitative research methodologies is the research approach which seeks to capture information that often can't be expressed numerically.
These methodologies often include some level of interpretation from researchers as they collect information via observation, coded survey or interview responses, and so on.
Researchers may use multiple qualitative methods in one study, as well as a theoretical or critical framework to help them interpret their data. Utah Valley University
A methodology is the system of methods used in a discipline area and the justification for using a particular method in research.
Action research 
In this type of study, researchers will actively pursue some kind of intervention, resolve a problem, or affect some kind of change. They will not only analyze the results but will also examine the challenges encountered through the process. Utah Valley University
Three primary characteristics:
Action oriented, participants are actively involved in the research.
involvement by participants in the research, collaborative process between participant and researcher - empowerment of participants. The participants have more of a say in what is being researched and how they want the research to be conducted.
cycle is iterative so that it is flexible and responsive to a changing situation.
Case studies 
A case study is a detailed study of a specific subject, such as a person, group, place, event, organization, or phenomenon. Case studies are commonly used in social, educational, clinical, and business research.
A case study research design usually involves qualitative methods, but quantitative methods are sometimes also used. Case studies are good for describing, comparing, evaluating and understanding different aspects of a research problem. Scribbr
Case studies are often used to share novel or unique information, case studies consist of a detailed, in-depth description of a single subject, pilot project, and specific events. Utah Valley University
Ethnography 
Ethnographies are an in-depth, holistic type of research used to capture cultural practices, beliefs, traditions, and so on. Here, the researcher observes and interviews members of a culture—an ethnic group, a clique, members of a religion, etc.—and then analyzes their findings. Utah Valley University
Ethnographic methods are a research approach where you look at people in their cultural setting, with the goal of producing a narrative account of that particular culture, against a theoretical backdrop. As part of this you will look at:
The researcher places themselves as a ‘participant observer’ amidst the culture.
The setting is a very important consideration within ethnographic studies as the exploration of the people and their behaviours must be within the context of that cultural situation.
Methods used include, but are not limited to: observation, interviews, focus groups, review of documentary evidence and keeping field notes. (Taylor & Francis, 2013)
Steps involved include:
Identify the culture to be studied
Identify the significant variables within the culture
Review existing literature
Gain entrance
Immerse within the culture or observe the culture
Acquire the informants
Gather data
Describe the culture
Develop theories.
(Taylor & Francis, 2013) Deakin University
Field research 
Field research refers to the process and methods of gathering qualitative data about the interactions of people or groups in their natural environments. Social scientists use field research methods to collect information and develop new theories about sociology, human nature and interpersonal interactions. Field research aims to establish and prove cause-and-effect relationships in various natural environments and communities.
Grounded theory 
Researchers will create and test a hypothesis using qualitative data. Often, researchers use grounded theory to understand decision-making, problem-solving, and other types of behavior. Utah Valley University
Grounded theory characteristics include:
Notably, data collection is cyclical and reflective. This is different from the more linear processes occurring in other methodologies. Deakin University
Historical 
Describing and examining past events to better understand the present and to anticipate potential effects on the future. To identify a need for knowledge that requires a historical investigation. Piecing together a history, particularly when there are no people living to tell their story. Deakin University
Narrative research and inquiry 
Researchers use this type of framework to understand different aspects of the human experience and how their subjects assign meaning to their experiences. Researchers use interviews to collect data from a small group of subjects, then discuss those results in the form of a narrative or story. Utah Valley University
Narrative inquiry records the experiences of an individual or small group, revealing the lived experience or particular perspective of that individual, usually primarily through interview which is then recorded and ordered into a chronological narrative. Often recorded as biography, life history or in the case of older/ancient traditional story recording - oral history.
Image Source: Sage
Phenomenology
This type of research attempts to understand the lived experiences of a group and/or how members of that group find mea
ning in their experiences. Researchers use interviews, observation, and other qualitative methods to collect data. Utah Valley University
Researchers may also examine written records of experiences such as diaries, journals, art, poetry and music. Deakin University
Explanatory
Explanatory research is a method developed to investigate a phenomenon that had not been studied before or had not been well explained previously in a proper way. Its main intention is to provide details about where to find a small amount of information.
With this method, the researcher gets a general idea and uses research as a tool to guide them quicker to the issues that we might address in the future. Its goal is to find the why and what for an object of study.
Explanatory research is responsible for finding the why of the events by establishing cause-effect relationships. Its results and conclusions constitute the deepest level of knowledge, according to author Fidias G. Arias. In this sense, explanatory studies can deal with the determination of causes (post-facto research) and effects (experimental research) through hypothesis testing. QuestionPro
Exploratory
Exploratory research is defined as a research used to investigate a problem which is not clearly defined. It is conducted to have a better understanding of the existing problem, but will not provide conclusive results. For such a research, a researcher starts with a general idea and uses this research as a medium to identify issues, that can be the focus for future research. An important aspect here is that the researcher should be willing to change his/her direction subject to the revelation of new data or insight. Such a research is usually carried out when the problem is at a preliminary stage. It is often referred to as grounded theory approach or interpretive research as it used to answer questions like what, why and how. QuestionPro
What instruments will be used? 
This study design is based on methods of observation and enquiry, often using methods like interviews, focus groups, or observations to gather rich, descriptive information. This makes qualitative studies especially useful for studying human experiences, social interactions, and unique contexts. Deakin University
Qualitative data is non-numeric information, such as in-depth interview transcripts, diaries, anthropological field notes, answers to open-ended survey questions, audio-visual recordings and images. UK Data Service
Audio and Visual media
Diaries
Documents
Human artefact that contains information. This can include personal documents such as diaries, letters, photographs, video recordings and official documents such as hospital or medical records or minutes of meetings. With the development of technology, computer files can be counted as documents. Documents may be used in different methodologies but especially in historical research. Deakin University
Focus Groups
Researchers will recruit people to answer questions in small group settings. Focus group members may share similar demographics or be diverse, depending on the researchers' needs. Group members will then be asked a series of questions and have their responses recorded. While these responses may be coded and discussed numerically (e.g., 50% of group members responded negatively to a question), researchers will also use responses to provide context, nuance, and other details. Utah Valley University
Focus groups bring individuals from the study population together in a specific setting in order to discuss an issue as a group. The discussion generates research data. Deakin University
Interviews
Interviews are intended to find out the experiences, understandings, opinions, or motivations of participants. The relationship between the interviewer and interviewee is crucial to the success of the research interview; the interviewer builds an environment of trust with the interviewee/s, guiding the interviewee/s through a set of topics or questions to be discussed in depth. Deakin University
Observation
Researchers will arrange to observe (usually in an unobtrusive way) a set of subjects in specific conditions. For example, researchers might visit a school cafeteria to learn about the food choices students make or set up trail cameras to collect information about animal behavior in the area. Utah Valley University
A way to gather data by watching people, events, or noting physical characteristics in their natural setting. Seeks to answer the question: “What is going on here?”. While rooted in ethnographic research it can be applied to other methodologies. Observations may often be supplemented with interviews. Deakin University
Questionnaires
Qualitative surveys use open-ended questions to produce long-form written/typed answers. Questions will aim to reveal opinions, experiences, narratives or accounts. Often a useful precursor to interviews or focus groups as they help identify initial themes or issues to then explore further in the research. Surveys can be used iteratively, being changed and modified over the course of the research to elicit new information.
Surveys
Qualitative surveys use open-ended questions to produce long-form written/typed answers. Questions will aim to reveal opinions, experiences, narratives or accounts. Often a useful precursor to interviews or focus groups as they help identify initial themes or issues to then explore further in the research. Surveys can be used iteratively, being changed and modified over the course of the research to elicit new information.
Workshops