The Way That the Researcher Structures a Research Project - Thesis Example

CHAPTER THREE 3.1 Chapter Overview This chapter presents the research methodology, which basically relates to the way that the researcher structures a research project basing on the objectives of the study. This chapter does not only present the theoretical framework which draws a map on the process of research but it also presents other aspects of the methodology such as sampling technique, data collection procedures, research instruments and data analysis. On the basis of the objectives of the study this chapter will present the research questions first which guides the data collection process. The chapter is divided into the following sections. The first section explains the rationale of the research methodology and design, specially the reasons for using both quantitative and qualitative dimension of research in the study. The second section outlines the quantitative data collection techniques which are used for empirical survey. This section entails the development of research instruments, pre-testing, sampling techniques and statistical data analysis techniques. Third section demonstrates the qualitative data collection, which deals with the semi-structured interview design and documentation. The final section is a summary of the chapter. 3.2 Research Questions On the basis of the extensive literature review carried out the following research questions were designed which were in line with the purpose and specific objectives of the study. The research questions were as follows: 1. What are perceptions of deans themselves on their role of leadership? 2. What is the perception of faculty members on leadership behavior of the deans? 3. What are the similarities and differences between perception of deans and that of faculty member on leadership style? 4. To what degree do these leadership behaviors and practices follow the Islamic leadership principles? 3.3 The Rational of the Methodology and Research Design There is an argument by scholars that educational research should be a systematic process, leadership research on Taibah university is being considered as an educational research therefore it should be systematic (Morison, 2007 Wiersman & Jurs 2005 Nardi, 2003). A sense of order and structure in the process of selecting research, data collection, analyze, and interpret is defined as ‘systematic’ in research. According to Wiersma and Jurs (2005, P4) the attributes of the systematic nature of the research process is as illustrated below: (Adapted from Wiersma & Jurs, 2005: 4) Having a view that this research is systematic inquiry, this study employed the dimensions of both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative research refers to research that describes phenomena in numbers and measures, instead of words, on other hand; qualitative research refers to research that describes the phenomena in terms of words insteadof numbers or measures (Krathwohl, 1993). According to Wiersma (2000) he clarifies that basing on the way data are presented, qualitative research relies heavily on narrative description, while quantitative research on statistical results. Setting out from the nature of this research and the needed data from the leaders in Taibah University the research methodology adopted for this study combined quantitative and qualitative methodologies. In this context Biddle and Anderson (1986) contend that the quantitative and qualitative methods of research are complimentary and a combination of the two gives a more complete picture of the educational phenomena that are being studied. Moreover, Brophy & Alleman ( 1991,p24 ) stated that using mixed methods is an advantageous merit as it includes the ability to answer questions other methodologies cannot, provide better inferences and provide the opportunity for presenting a greater diversity of divergent views. McMillan and Schumacher (1989) uncovers the distinction between quantitative and qualitative research is far beyond numbers and narrative. The table below illustrates the difference between the two research methodologies: Quantitative Qualitative Types Structured observation Standardized interviews Tests Questionnaires Types Ethnographic Observation Ethnographic Interviews Documents Characteristics Data appear as numbers A priori decision in data presentation Data takes one form-response as determined by instrument Data are tabulated and described statistically Meaning is derived from statistical procedures employed Characteristics Data appear as words Not a priori decision on data presentation; depends on data collected Data may take many forms – field notes, documents, interview notes or tapes Tabulation limited to help identify patterns; used to support qualitative meanings Meaning is derived from qualitative strategies employed Table 3.1 techniques of data collection (Adapted from McMillan & Schumacher, 1989 p 41) It is therefore clearly illustrated that both qualitative and quantitative research methods have advantages to get valid and reliable research outcomes. Specific techniques and strategies for data collection procedures and analysis are provided by these methodologies. In regard that integrating quantitative and qualitative results into achieving a systematic, objective and replicable results, this study employed the concurrent triangular strategy where both quantitative and qualitative are carried out concurrently(Creswell 2005) as tabulated below; + Quantitative data collection Qualitative data collection Quantitative data analysis Quantitative data analysis Table 3.2 concurrent triangulation strategy (adopted from Creswell, 2005 p210) The two approaches can be used simultaneously or sequentially, simultaneously the two approaches are implemented at the same time where the researcher is collecting data by interviews and questionnaires at the same time. Sequentially is where the researcher decides to use one approach first then embark on the other approach later. The two methodologies were used simultaneously with an aim of overcoming weakness of one methodology with the other. The will be given equal priority while gathering and analyzing data. Prioritizing one approach to the other depends on the intents of the researcher. The theoretical factor should be considered while implementing the research methodology this will ensure that all the guidelines from the theoretical perspectives are well observed. 3.3 Questionnaire and interview design According to Bourke (2005), questionnaires are used to gather two different types of information; background information of the deans, faculty members such as gender, academic level and faculty where they work in this study, they are also used to gather attitudinal information about some specific events, the way of behaving, quality of life. This data collection instrument will be used to obtain information about the deans who are the leaders in the university, information on the attitude of the faculty members about the leadership in their faculty, and what they believe in. The dean’s perception will also be gathered. Burns (1994), points out that questionnaire technique has one underlying assumption; that the respondent will be willing and able to give truthful answers. Questionnaires are designed based on three items; closed items, open-ended items and scale of items. Both open ended and closed ended questionnaires were used with a MLQ questionnaire (Avolio and Bass, 2004). There are two methodologies being used in this study, the following is each method with measures that it used in data collection. Interview design can be categorized as; unstructured, structured interviewing or structured interview(Wengraf, 2001). According to Minichiello (1995), unstructured interview is a conversation with a specific purpose of gathering information about the respondent’s self, life, experience and expressed in his or her own words. Using unstructured interview provided an opportunity for the researcher to deeply understand the private interpretations of social reality that the respondents hold. 3.3.1 Quantitative Measures This study will use a one-group, correlation design, using one quantitative instrument. According to Ary, Jacobs, and Razavieh (2002),“quantitative research uses objective measurement and statistical analysis of numeric data to understand and explain phenomena” (p. 22). The goal of quantitative research is to determine the relationship between one thing (an independent variable) and another (a dependent variable or outcome variable) of a population (Hopkins, 2007). Ary et al. (2002) further indicated that “correlation research relates two (or more) variable measures from the same group of subjects” (p. 354). In addition, it “seeks to examine the strength and direction of relationships among two or more variables” (p. 25). The researcher will employ the MLQ questionnaire. The MLQ was originally developed by Bruce Avolio and Bernard Bass in 1995 and is based on a Full Range Leadership Model. The MLQ (5x-short), Third edition is the most recent version (2004) of the MLQ. The MLQ (5x-short), Third edition – Leader Form was used for this study. The MLQ (5x) contained 45 items which measures a full range of leadership styles. Dimensions include: Transformational Leadership, Transactional Leadership, Non-Transactional Leadership styles (Passive, Avoidant) and outcomes of leadership (such as Effectiveness). Five scales were identified as characteristic of transformational leadership (Idealized influence attributed and behavior, Inspirational motivation, Individual consideration, and Intellectual stimulation). Three scales were defined as characteristic of transactional leadership (Contingent reward, Management-by exception- active, and Management-by-exception-passive). One scale was described as non-leadership (Laissez-faire) (Avolio and Bass, 2004). Since the study will seek to explore the Islamic model of leadership applied on Taibah University, the researcher will add (8) items to explore the Islamic leadership , Therefore, items (46-53) will be categorized and added to the MLQ to measure the Islamic leadership styles of academic deans in the university, those items are: The Islamic leader observes Islamic regulations in his leadership acts The Islamic leadership practices leadership as a religious responsibility and Amaneh (Honesty). The Islamic leadership practices consultation (Shura) with his followers. The Islamic leadership treats all followers with Justice (Adel). The Islamic leadership sets his leadership behavior from the main objectives of the Islamic religion. The Islamic leader creates an environment of freedom and positive critics with flowers. The Islamic leader has trust and inspires his followers religiously. The Islamic leader owns religious, administrative and personal competencies The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS-PC17) will be used to process all data. The researchers will compute all relevant descriptive statistics on collected data. Items 1-36 on the MLQ were categorized as transformational or transactional by the MLQ authors, Avolio and Bass. The Pearson bivariate correlation technique will be used to conduct the analysis. In all statistical contrasts, the .05 significance criterion will be observed (Avolio & Bass and Jung 1999). 3.3.2 Qualitative measure The interview has become regarded as an important tool in scientific research and thus features as an important method in many fields, including medicine, journalism, business administration, and educational research (Melhem, 2002). The interview may be regarded as a particularly powerful tool for collecting data about human resources, since it represents a conversation between the interviewer and the interviewee. In the interview, the researcher asks a set of questions while the interviewee answers those questions. Therefore, the interview is the best known strategy for gathering data in qualitative research in order to obtain data about an issue or a certain phenomenon (Melhem, 2002). However, one of its particular strengths in this respect is that it can be used to gather information that is already meaningful. The researcher will conduct in-depth interviews with 21 deans representing all the colleges in the university in order to seek their views about leadership behaviors practices they apply in their colleges. The researcher will rely on in-depth interviews recording the answers of the Deans at an interview of approximately one hour. A qualitative analysis will be conducted according to the grounded theory. Data analysis is primarily an inductive process that involves organizing data into categories and identifying patterns or relationships within those categories (Macmillan & Schumacher, 2001). The researcher builds up the theory by analyzing the data according to the patterns revealed by the analysis. Thus, by means of the essential analysis of the data, the theory will become clear. In other words, the researcher uses an inductive method, moving from data to theory and not from theory to data (Macmillan & Schumacher, 2001). The researcher will review the related literature and previous studies written about leadership whether it was a Western model or an Islamic model in order to extract the questions based on the following outline: Types of behaviours Similarities and differences between both models. Characteristics of each model. The best model to be applied in Saudi Arabia Universities. The concepts related to each model as understood and Practiced by the sample. 3.4 Sampling Design and sampling Size According to Mertens (1998) sampling is defines as referred method used to select a given number of people from a population. A sample is a subset of the population to which the researcher intends to generalize the results. The individuals involved in the study will be used to represent the larger population. Population according to Best and Kahn (1998) states that it is any group of individuals who has one or more characteristics in common those are of interest to the researcher. Mertens (1998) proposes five strategies for probability-based sampling which are simple random sampling, systematic sampling, stratified sampling, cluster sampling and multistage sampling. In random sampling it means that within the population each individual has equal chance of being selected as a sample population. Systematic random sampling technique is where nth of the target population from a randomly ordered population. The third, stratified random sampling is where population is divided into groups or stata and select individuals within the group randomly. In the cluster technique all the sample populations from the target population are sampled. The last technique, multistage sampling is a combination of several sampling technique like cluster and random sampling. For the above identifies above, the researcher identified the list of faculties within Taibah university. The sample population was categorized as either deans or as faculty members. The sample population covered men and women of Master’s and Doctoral levels with a wide variety of experience in the institution. A wide variety of schools will be canvassed (Humanitarian and Scientific) for the Academic years 2010/2012. The population of this study will be 1604 male and female faculty members and 21 Deans. The researcher adopted the entire population as a sample for his study. Qualitative and Quantitative statistical analysis will be used by the researcher to reach results and analyses those results in more depth. 3.5 Validity and Reliability of the instrument Reliability is a measure of the degree to which a research instrument yields consistent results or data after repeated trials (Mugenda and Mugenda, 2003). To verify reliability of the instrument, the questionnaires were tested for reliability by using Cronbach coefficient alpha to determine the internal consistency of the items. This is a method of estimating reliability of test scores by the use of a single administration of a test. Cronbach coefficient alpha provided good measures of reliability because holding other factors constant, the more similar the test content and conditions of administration are, the greater the internal consistency reliability. In the study, they were considered reliable if they yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.70 and above. This figure is usually considered respectable and desirable for consistency levels (Koul, 1993). In this study, the reliability was established through the pilot-test whereby some items were adding and some were dropping to enable modification of the instrument. After the modification, the instruments were again pilot-tested in Taibah university in order to determine the questionnaires ‘internal consistency and to highlight on any difficulties that the respondents were likely to face when responding to the questions. Split half technique was used to obtain X and Y scores. X distribution took even numbered items, while Y distribution took odd number items. The interview schedules were pilot tested by using two teachers from two different schools. This was meant to establish the construct validity of the schedules. Generally, the purpose of piloting the instruments was to establish the clarity of meaning and comprehensibility of each item in the research instruments. In addition, researcher and supervisors assessed the relevance of the content in the research instruments. Their comments and suggestions were incorporated in the improvement of the validity of the instruments. 3.6 Data Collection procedure Data collection was conducted using questionnaire as the main data collection tool for quantitative methodology(According to Burns (1994) the use of questionnaires in research is based on one basic underlying assumption: that the respondent will be both willing and able to give truthful answers. He points out three items which are generally used in the construction of questionnaires, which are, closed items, open-ended items, and scale items. The interview method was used as a main data collection tool for qualitative methodology.( For the purpose of gathering qualitative data in the study, which is based on the purposive (non-probability) sampling, semi-structured interview schedule is employed. Accordingly, the researcher set up two major steps. The first step dealt with selecting the informants. In this case, interviews will be conducted with the selected categories of deans and faculty members who consented to take part at the interviews. The selection was made to represent all categories of stakeholders Deans and Faculty members of Taibah University. The second step correlates to the interview guide. In this context, the researcher prepared a combination of open-ended questions and some close-ended questions. The first type questions are typically aimed at providing more chances to the informants in explaining an issue, while the second type is to promote accuracy and content validity of the information. The questions were subdivided into sections to capture the response and details that was required as per the objectives of the study. The researcher collected data from the selected respondents after receiving permission from the Taibah University authority to carry out research in the identified area of study. In addition, the researcher obtained an official government research permit from the Office of The President. The introduction letter from the office of the president seeking to carry out a research within the selected area was issued. The researcher there after notified the deans of the selected faculties within Taibah University, of the intention to conduct the study and the intended dates. The researcher took the questionnaires personally to the selected respondents where the purpose of the study and its potential benefits to them were explained. Finally the researcher assured them that the information provided was only used for the purpose of the study and would be maintained in strict confidence. After familiarization, data was then collected from the respondents using the three mentioned instruments. The completed instruments were verified and collected from the respondents within a period of ten days from the day of distribution. 3.7 Ethical considerations and pre-test Permission to carry out the study was sought from the School of education in the Department of Technology Education of Taibah University and from the participants who participated in the study. This was done through letters which were written to all deans of the Taibah University. The nature and the purpose of the research were explained to the respondents by the researcher. The researcher respected the individuals’ rights to safeguards their personal integrity. The participants were assured of anonymity; confidentiality and they are free to withdraw from the study at any time if they wish. No names or person identification numbers were reflected on the questionnaires except the numbering for questionnaires, which is done for purposes of identification of data during data editing. The results of the study would be available to all the faculties of Taibah University, ministry of education in Saudi Arabia and to those participants who are interested in knowing the results. Pre-test of the questionnaires was done in the planning stage when the questionnaires are being constructed. Pre-test according to Burns(1994) is important because it helps in exposing the confusing and contradicting questions in a questionnaire. The questionnaires are given out to people who have similar characters as the sample population targeted. 3.8 Data analysis After data collection, responses from all items were crosschecked to facilitate coding and processing for analysis using Statistical Programme for Social Sciences (SPSS v.11.10) computer package. Statistical analyses of data were done by descriptive statistics employing the measures of central tendencies, frequency distributions, difference between a set of observed frequencies and a corresponding expected frequency. Other models such as cross tabulations and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the variation both within and between various groups. Descriptive statistics gave a summary of the characteristics of the populations from which samples were drawn. Chi-square test was used to analyze categorical data and to determine whether there are significant differences between the observed frequencies of responses from the respondents (Burns and Grove 1993: 499). It is necessary to note that every data analysis tool is just a means to help in interpreting and analyzing the research findings. Oppenheim (1992) affirms that the statistical techniques are tools to help us digging into the data and mining them for precious findings, and composing the findings into meaningful structure. However, depending on the nature and characteristics of the data, different statistical tools have to be used for different purposes. 3.9 Conclusion This chapter examined the research methodology and design focusing on the quantitative and qualitative research approaches. Firstly, the chapter commenced by stating the key research questions based on general and specific objectives of the study. Secondly, the rationale of the research methodology, including theoretical concepts and reasons of using quantitative and qualitative approaches were provided. Third, the sampling design and sample size were identified, followed by the development of questionnaire design and pre-testing. In addition, the chapter provided discussions on interview types, including semi-structured interviews, which was a specific model of interview applied in the study. Lastly, analysis design of the analyses of the study was identified, which was focused on the power of using SPSS and N-vivo for the purpose of statistical and narrative data analyses of the study. The next chapter presents the quantitative data results and analyses of the study. The quantitative data results and analyses were based on the four major questions. References: Best, J.W., & Kahn, J.V. (1998). Research in Education. Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Bourke, S. (2005) Quantitative Research Methodology. 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