The Salaries of Military Officers - Assignment Example

Appendices and References Time Schedule The research is expected be carried out within a period of four months. This will be between August and November, 2012. August will be used to identify and analyze the research problem. The research will be carried out to determine whether salary paid to military officers sufficiently covers for the risks and commitments involved during execution of their duties. In September, I will plan how the research will be carried out. I will estimate the expected expenditure during the research and ensure that all that I have all that is required. Then I will determine the suitable method to be used in the study whether it is through interviews, questionnaire or survey (Nasu, 2009). Next, I will carryout the real study in the month of October using the above methods. During the same month, I will collect data using survey, interview and questionnaire methods of data collection. I will write short notes on the most important things arising in the course of the study. Finally, I will analyze the data and come up with the final results in the month of November. Based on the results of the study, I will make conclusions and recommendations then write a report of the study. Resources In order to carryout this research, some of the resources that must be carried include electronics e.g. a laptop and mobile phone. Laptop will help in recording and storing information collected from the informants. This is a reliable storage facility because information is permanently stored. Writing materials are very essential when carrying out research. This is because the activity involves lots of recording. The researcher notes down information gathered from the informant in a notebook. These are mainly short notes that are later expounded when compiling data. Biro pens should also be enough for the number of people intended to fill the questionnaires. According to Nasu (2009), money is a major resource. In order to carry out any research, the researcher should ensure that he/she has enough funds. Most of the activities need money. For instance, money is needed to cater for transport purposes. In order to collect reliable data, the researcher should collect data in different regions and from different military officers then compare. Money is needed to cater for food and accommodation. What and where the researcher will eat, rest and sleep has to be paid for. The researcher should have enough airtime to feed their mobile phone to enable communications to take place, pay assistants who help in carrying out research as well as be in a position to cater for his and their medical needs. I will buy some gifts to motivate the informants. Finally, I will have the questionnaire and survey questions that will be used to carry out the survey at hand. Personnel In order to carry out this research successfully, I have to hire somebody who will assist me carryout various activities. For instance, he/she will help me in distributing questionnaires to informants and collecting them after they have been filled. The research assistant will help in collection and documentation of data. Secondly, I will need somebody to help me go through areas I may not be familiar with. During data collection, I will visit different areas some which I may never have been before and that is why I may need somebody’s assistance. It may be difficult to access some of the areas I will have to visit because of poor or lack of roads. In this case I will need somebody to take me there through other means like motorbikes or animal transport like camels. Finally, I will need somebody to type and print the report after data collection and analysis has been completed (Orakhelashvili, 2011). Expected Budget Expenses Estimated cost ($) Transport 1900 Living expenses (Food and accommodation) 1500 Research Assistant 2400 Informants Gifts 500 Permit Fee 250 Analysis Costs 1200 Stationery 100 Laptop Computer 1000 Medical Insurance 200 Telephone, Fax, Postage, Email 1200 Other costs 1000 Total 11, 250 Assurances/Clearances When carrying out research, it is important to obtain permission from authority. Research activity should not be carried out without the knowledge of administration. To be on the safe side the researcher should seek for permission. The first step will involve letting the government of the country involved know that for a period of four months, between August and November, 2012, I will be conducting research among the military officers with the aim of determining whether their pay covers for their risks and commitments during work adequately. During the research, I will need to know the expectations of military officers. What do they wish to have as far as their salaries are concerned? Whether or not they are satisfied with the conditions of the work and their pay? I will need to understand their feelings about their salary. I will need to know whether they feel that what is given to them is enough and if not what they would they like the government to do for them to make their work and life in the military smooth for them (Rubin and Babbie, 2010). I will also seek permission from the head of the military department. I cannot carryout research in his department without his knowledge. The department head may be of great help because fo0r he may provide useful information concerning the problem statement. This is because he interacts with military officers directly and therefore knows problems and challenges involved in this occupation. If it is issues to do with the salary, he/she has all the complaints if at all there are. The military officers should be alerted that a research will be conducted. During the study, I will choose the informants randomly to avoid biasness. Chances of getting unreliable and inaccurate information may be very high if data is collected from a certain group. Lastly, I will seek for permission from the local administration who will allow me to move around his/her territory and conduct the research. Informed Consent Form A survey is to be carried out in the department of military to determine whether their pay is enough to cover for their commitments and risks. We request for your voluntary participation so that we may learn feeling and attitudes of military officers towards their pay. The informant will be expected to fill in the questionnaire in thirty minutes time. Informants name will not be included in the questionnaire and confidentiality will be maintained. Even after signing the consent form, the informant may choose not to answer all the questions. I am requesting you to sign this form if you are willing to participate in the study. Incase of questions concerning the study, contact Dr. Williams of the telephone number 2445658650 (Sorenson and Wood, 2005) We thank you for your great assistance. Participant Signature Date Study Findings From the survey, it was evident that the salaries that military officers receive do not cater for their risks that they incur by putting their lives before their country. From the questionnaire questions in the appendix, the respondents confirmed the hypothesis that military pay should reflect their risks incurred during active service in defending the country. Military officers answering questions on valuable time spent with their families pointed out that they do spent much time away from work rather than with their families yet the compensation of the time in terms of money does not match the value of sacrifices offered. Moreover, they indicated that they incur many challenges during active services. Some of the challenges that emerged were injuries or deaths while on duty. Some officers complained of working for long hours sometimes throughout the day and night without taking an off. Given the above challenges, the respondents to the study argued that they felt that their pay does not reflect their sacrifices, challenges and duties offered to their country. Therefore, they were not satisfied by the compensation offered and it should be increased. In addition to monetary compensation, some female respondents argued that the time they spend with their families and people who matter in their lives should be increased. Their argument was that this could possible increase their job satisfaction and morale thereby increasing their performance. Therefore, these findings fulfill the study hypothesis and objectives that the salaries of military personnel are never enough to meet their personal commitments and risks involves while on duty. Therefore, the federal government should examine the issue and provide a better pay. References Nasu, H. (2009). International law on peacekeeping: A study of article 40 of the Un charter. New York, NY: BRILL. Orakhelashvili, A. (2011). Collective security. London, LDN: Oxford University Press. Rubin, A. & Babbie, E. (2010). Research methods for social work. New York, NY: Cengage Learning. Nasu, H. (2009). Exploring research. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Sorenson, D. & Wood, P. (2005). The politics of peacekeeping in the post-cold war era. New York, NY: Routledge. Questionnaire/ survey/interview SECTION A GENERAL INFORMATION Occupation………………………………………………….. Age……………………………………………………………….. Gender……………………………………………………….. Period of service……………………………….. How much is your salary…………………….. When do you get your salary……………………… Are there any allowances like house and medical allowance? When do you usually go for your leave? Can you be called upon to work during the time of your leave? And if so are there any bonuses for that? SECTION B TO BE ASWERED BY FEMALES ONLY How long does your maternity last? Do you think the child is old enough to stay away from the mother? At what time of the day do you leave your house? When do you get back to your house? Do you think your children spend enough time with you? Are the children getting enough motherly love? Is your spouse comfortable with the nature of your work? State any complaints if there is. SECTION C CHALLENGES IN THE OCCUPATION Which are some of the challenges of the military occupation? Do you work at night? How many times have been called to engage in wars in the defense of the country? Were you in any way injured? Are there any officers who died during the attack? If there are, how many were they in number? Do you sometimes work at night? What are some of the challenges you come across while working late at night SECTION D FEELINGS AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE OCCUPATION What are your feelings about you salary? Does it adequately cover for the risks and commitments involved? If not give reasons to support your answer? Would you encourage other people to join the career? Read More