Quantitative Research Questions and Hypothesis - Assignment Example

?Unit 4 DQ Data collection is one of the most challenging steps that prevent learners from completing their dissertation. What challenges do you foresee in collecting your data? What are some strategies you’ll deploy to overcome these challenges? Respond to both qualitative and quantitative designs. Answer: Data collection presents one of the most challenging of processes in the composition and preparation of a dissertation. In the completion of the dissertation there are a few challenges which can be foreseen in data collection. These challenges include the difficulty in obtaining accurate information, inadequate time for data collection, high costs of data collection, reliability of information, lack of or inadequate information on selected topic. These challenges relate to both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of data collection. These challenges may be tackled through the adoption of several strategies by the researcher. The challenge of reliability and accuracy of data collected may be tackled through the adoption of the strategy of using veracity software such as SPSS to analyze reliability and accuracy (Olsen, 2010). The challenge of inadequate time is also one of the most common issues facing researchers. In this regard, it is important that the dissertation task of data collection is started early enough in order to ensure that the process is not rushed thereby affecting its quality (Casley & Lury, 2002). Access to information, on the other hand, resents an even bigger problem since it is the most important aspect of the data collection process. In this regard the university’s resources and research databases such as EBSCO to access the required information is used. This will also be complemented by other sources such as Google Scholar and other personal learning materials such as text books. The challenge is the high costs of research in data collection. Data collection may involve the buying of books or the printing and distribution of questionnaires or conducting of interviews which will lead to high costs (Weller & Romney, 2002). In this regard Questionnaires can be used because it is relatively cheaper than the other means which require personal attendance. Unit 4-2: Quantitative Research Design: Create a plan for a quantitative research design based on your topic. Your plan will include the following: Research problem Purpose of research Significance of research Quantitative Research questions and hypotheses Research design and rationale for its selection Be sure to include basic data collection considerations including sampling, population description, data collection procedures and feasibility of data collection Instrument description and validation Statistical analysis methods This assignment averages 1,000 to 1,200 words for most, please keep it short and simple. You are not here to summarize the theory or give definitions. Please apply the concepts directly to your topic of interest. Answer: The research will be undertaken on the self esteem levels of employees according to eight parameters: I feel good about my work on the job, on the whole I get along well with others at the workplace, I am proud of my ability to cope with challenges at the workplace, In moments of uncertainty at work I keep my cool, I feel a sense of belonging at my work place, I have a good working relationship with my supervisors, I am proficient in handling talks without guidance or assistance, and I have the respect of my peers at work. In this regard, survey statement will be administered through questionnaires. The variables in this questionnaire will be buyer behavior and different promotional activities. These will be graded on a likert scale format in order to come up with levels of employee self esteem. These eight statements will be graded on the likert scale from strongly disagree, disagree, undecided, agree, to strongly agree (Jupp et al, 2006). Strongly disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree I feel good about my work on the job Strongly disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree On the whole I get along well with others at the workplace Strongly disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree I am proud of my ability to cope with challenges at the workplace Strongly disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree In moments of uncertainty at work I keep my cool Strongly disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree I feel a sense of belonging at my work place Strongly disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree I have a good working relationship with my supervisors Strongly disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree I am proficient in handling talks without guidance or assistance Strongly disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree I have the respect of my peers at work Research Problem The problem that is taken into account in this research is the instance of employee esteem with regard to their work at their workplace. Purpose of Research The purpose of this research is to establish the instance of employee satisfaction at the workplace and how employees deem their relationship with The survey statement will be used to administer. Significance of Research The significance of this research is that it offers important insights into employee esteem at the workplace which is important in determining employee effectiveness. Employee esteem and satisfaction at the workplace are an important aspect in organizational management and behavior since they are accurate predictors of employee outcomes (Rugg & Petre, 2007). According to research literature, employees with higher rates of self esteem and confidence in their work, and in their relationships with other workers and management tend to have greater levels of effectiveness. The research will thus adopt a qualitative framework which will grade employee responses that will be useful in determining esteem and confidence levels. The qualitative framework will take into account qualitative measures such as level of job satisfaction, confidence, intention to stay among others which will be qualified on the likert scale. This research is thus significant in bringing out the levels of esteem and confidence which will in the main assist in determining human resource strategy which will impact organizational effectiveness (Federer, 2001). Quantitative Research Questions and Hypothesis The hypothesis of the research study is that employee effectiveness is influenced by levels of esteem and confidence in relations with other workers, supervisors and their work. This research will thus adopt a framework of quantitative questions in order to test the hypothesis and come up with various conclusions which will either lead to the modification of the hypothesis or its disqualification as a whole. The quantitative research question will be based on statements framed in questionnaires in the likert scale which the respondents will be required to answer. Some questions included in the questionnaire are “does the employee feel a sense of belonging at the workplace” which will be framed in the form of a statement of “I feel a sense of belonging at the workplace”. The employees will then react to the statement according to the parameters set forward in the likert scale. The likert scale rates questionnaire responses on a levels such as agree, agree to some extent, disagree to some extent, and completely disagree. Research Design, Methodology, and the Rationale for its Selection The research design will adopt the questionnaire framework in the collection of data. While there are a number of methods which may be used in the collection of data, this research adopted the questionnaire framework for certain reasons which will be discussed. The research design will thus make questionnaires which will be distributed to respondents and will be expected to be answered according to the likert framework. The data collected will then be analyzed for veracity and will be moderated by experts in the field in order to draw out the implied meanings. It will also use means such as regressive analysis and measures of central tendency such as mean and averages in order to come up with conclusion .This design and methodology was opted for since it offers a means of data collection which is relatively reliable, cost effective, accurate, and offered adequate information (Ackroyd & Hughes, 2002). The methodology was also adopted since it offered an avenue through which the data collected could be rated on a likert scale as opposed to other means such as interviews which may be biased. Data Collection Methods Data will be collected using a questionnaire which will use the likert scale framework. The research will be conducted on several companies dealing with different types of goods and services provision in order to get a comprehensive analysis of the research study. The study will thus distribute questionnaires to regular employees senior level management and higher management of several organizations in order to ensure that there is veracity of information collected (Olsen, 2010). The population that will be sampled will be 25 employees from each company working in various departments. The questionnaires will thus be distributed to the employees who will be supposed to answer them within a two week period upon which they will be collected. Instrument Description and Validation The instrument to be used is the questionnaire which is based on the likert scale framework. The questionnaire instrument was selected since it offers the best means through which data may be collected in a manner that is cost effective. The instrument also offers the most appropriate means of collection of accurate and reliable data. The use of the likert scale offers a means through which the data collected may be calibrated on a scale. This means of data collection is also appropriate since it offers the respondents an opportunity to opt for a variety of responses (Casley & Lury, 2002). This will enable the respondent to give the most suitable response as opposed to other methods which may come up with irrelevant responses. Statistical Analysis Methods The study will use statistical analysis methods of mean rating, and regression analysis in order to test the veracity of data collected. These statistical methods will be used right from the start of the procedure ranging from sampling of the population of respondents to the actual collection of the data, and to the final analysis of the collected data. The mean will be used as a statistical analysis tool in finding the average of respondent responses which will be used to find the general perception of esteem and confidence levels of employees at the workplace. Regression analysis will be used in the testing of the veracity of the data collected through an analysis of respondent responses while taking into account biases and attitudes which influence responses (Weller & Romney, 2008). References Ackroyd, S., & Hughes, J. (2002). Data collection in context. London: Longman. Casley, D., & Lury, D. (2002). Data collection in developing countries. Oxford: Clarendon Press. Federer, W. (2001). Statistics and society: Data collection and interpretation. New York: M. Dekker. Jupp, V., Sapsford, R., & Open University. (2006). Data collection and analysis. London: Sage, in association with the Open University. Olsen, W. (2010). Key concepts in data collection. London: Sage. Rugg, G., & Petre, M. (2007). A gentle guide to research methods. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill/Open Univ. Press. Weller, S., & Romney, A. (2008). Systematic data collection. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications. Read More