  In the dynamic field of Software Engineering (SE), where practice is
constantly evolving and adapting to new technologies, conducting research is a
daunting quest. This poses a challenge for researchers: how to stay relevant
and effective in their studies? Empirical Software Engineering (ESE) has
emerged as a contending force aiming to critically evaluate and provide
knowledge that informs practice in adopting new technologies. Empirical
research requires a rigorous process of collecting and analyzing data to obtain
evidence-based findings. Challenges to this process are numerous, and many
researchers, novice and experienced, found difficulties due to many
complexities involved in designing their research.
  The core of this chapter is to teach foundational skills in research design,
essential for educating software engineers and researchers in ESE. It focuses
on developing a well-structured research design, which includes defining a
clear area of investigation, formulating relevant research questions, and
choosing appropriate methodologies. While the primary focus is on research
design, this chapter also covers aspects of research scoping and selecting
research methods. This approach prepares students to handle the complexities of
the ever-changing technological landscape in SE, making it a critical component
of their educational curriculum.
