Metodology for the Research - Term Paper Example

?Methodology The methodology for this research focuses on the analysis of authentic secondary sources of data with the goal of achieving the researchobjectives. This research seeks to compare and contrast the manner in which shareholders conduct themselves under different environments and to what extent they exercise their rights for US, UK and China. Therefore, this research is explanatory in nature, and involves analysis of information to establish relationships between shareholders and their rights. Through the analysis of data on shareholder behavior for the three study environments, and analysis of the legal ramifications at their disposal, the research will draw comparisons for the two countries to make arrive at a definite conclusion to the research. Research Design A research design is critical in establishing the outlay upon which data analysis will occur. A research design aids in achievement of the research objectives through a purposeful articulation of the overall theme of the research (Katherine, 1998, p.2). In addition, the research design helps in explaining the reason for which a particular kind of data is necessary for the research (Kiecolt & & Nathan, 1985, p.6). The design helps in showing the intended use of the data in a way that seeks to attain the research objectives. The research design for this research seeks to marry the objectives of research with the practical possibilities that are achievable from our chosen method of data collection. This research makes use of both quantitative and qualitative secondary data to unravel elements in the data that reveal information consistent with our research aims. By a combination of authentic secondary data sources, our methodology will help use comprehensively fulfill the intended research objectives. Therefore, our research design is classifiable as trend design, as it involves the study of a cross-section of data to draw conclusions that try to identify interrelationships between the data elements (Kiecolt & Nathan, 1985, p.6). Nature of Data Used The design of this study relies principally on secondary data. Secondary data is peculiar and different from primary data, and its first purpose of the collection is fundamentally different (Ekkehard, n.d.). The major sources of the secondary data used in this research are government records, industry data sources, non-governmental organizations, research institutions, journal publications, books, annual reports, magazines, and company data. Specifically, the research uses data touching on various aspects of shareholder rights in UK, US and China. Some of the data discussing shareholder issues include books on corporate governance discussing companies, and other sources exploring the place of shareholders. Information needed Secondary sources help in identifying related areas of research, which require further inquiry. In addition, secondary data sources outlining the legal frameworks upon which shareholders base their actions undergo careful analysis regard to each of the three countries under study. For the achievement of this purpose, sources of data from professional corporate regulatory bodies such as the ICSA and GAAP form a constituent part of the research framework. With the use of such sources of data, we can comprehend the legal groundwork on which shareholders can operate. In consideration of the research objective, which emphasizes the use of real life cases from companies from each of the three countries, three companies, one from each country goes under scrutiny for this analysis. The case studies help us to gain a more intimate understanding of shareholder behavior, and legal realities the shareholders face for each of the three countries. In particular, secondary data from three companies aid in achievement of this objective: Balfour Beatty Plc. of UK, KBR of the US, and CNOOC limited from China. For the research to display a more encompassing perspective on the issues under consideration, the research also enlists the use of company data and annual reports to identify details that have a relationship to the legal standing of the shareholders. By careful scrutiny of company data, it is possible to have a well-adjusted view on issues pertaining to shareholders in different corporate environments. Consequently, it is possible to model and generalize behavior of shareholders in each of the countries and observe correlations among shareholders stretching across the three differing business environments. This research supposes that by studying shareholder issues in three companies, it is possible to make correct inferences about general behavior of shareholders in the UK, US and China. Methods of Data Collection Collection of secondary is a less tasking process to other data collection methods such as primary data collection. Secondary data is usually for a different initial purpose, as empirical data has to derive its basis for existence in a particular problem (Kelly, 2005). Research using secondary data, therefore, primarily involves rearticulating the data for some other purpose to identify patterns and trends and causal relationships in the data to articulate a different research agenda. To achieve the research aims, this research makes use of both qualitative and quantitative secondary data to explain in a conclusive manner the policy guidelines under which shareholders carry out their activities in each of the three countries: UK, US, and China. Advantages of Secondary Data Secondary data collection is cost effective (Brudeur et al., 2010), and highly effective in laying a sound research base for research. In addition, secondary data is easy to obtain, and is highly effective for research purposes where reduplication of research results would result from the collection and design of primary data research methods. In addition, the secondary data offers the expediency of not having to deal with respondents (HD.gov, 2009). Many analysts also prefer the use of secondary data as it readily lends itself for analysis and verification from other sources. In addition, secondary data helps in complementing the purpose of primary data, and is used to expressing the agenda for many research undertakings relying on primary data. Finally, secondary data helps in overcoming some of the limitations associated with primary data collection (Emathzone, 2012), particularly limitations on resources such as time, money, and scale of research. For instance, collection of primary data for analyzing the various elements of shareholders rights in different countries would be a significantly expensive undertaking, which would require significant time commitments and overcoming of numerous ethical barriers. Disadvantages of Secondary Data In many instances, secondary data usually offers a dull representation of reality, as the validity of data is sometimes hard to prove. In addition, sometimes the phenomenon under study may have changed greatly. Consequently, the sheer amounts of secondary data available are at times overwhelming, which makes selection of the best sources a tedious challenge for the researcher. Often times, large amounts of secondary data usually exhibit factual conflicts (Stynes, 2003), which dent the level of credibility of the data, and increase the researcher’s task of selecting the right data to use for research. Finally, secondary data may lack a clear focus on the elements of interest to the researcher, leading to a temptation to make broad assumptions (Corti & Bishop, 2005), which may lead to highly misleading conclusions. Methods of Analyzing the Data Analysis of secondary data involves several activities. Firstly, the researcher has to verify the validity of the data and its appropriateness for the research objectives (Stynes, 2003). Secondly, it is critical that the researcher is familiar with the topic of discussion, and can decipher the information in the secondary data sources to make correct use of it for the undergoing research. In addition, most of the secondary data contains some pieces of selected primary data such represented for instance in tables, which the researcher can use for his analysis (Church, 2001, p.1). Finally, secondary data may be highly summarized, and offering no means to verify the accuracy of the summary statistics, at which point it is imperative to make a comparison with other secondary sources of data to increase the validity of the data. Data Quality Quality of data used for a research fundamentally affects the quality and credibility inspired by the research (Boslaugh, 2007, p.4). The quality of data collected for the purpose of this research goes through careful analysis for relevance with regard to time, depth of topic coverage, target audience for the data, references, and authenticity of the sources used to create the secondary data source. For instance, academic sources usually authenticate their data sources and use comprehensive source information to make conclusions, as factual evidence is normally required. Other sources of data may possess greater subjectivity as they are usually opinionated and more removed from empirical inquiry as to the validity (CSU, 2012). Measurement of the accuracy of the data for this research is through comprehensive and extensive comparison with sources providing similar information. Also, in as far as is practicable, the secondary data used for this research is from an original source, as the data is vaster and general, hence more appropriate for extraction of elements, which are useful for this research. An additional way to ensure better accuracy in the data is through the reliance on multiple sources (Kiecolt & Nathan, 1985). When many sources articulate a common idea, especially from different approaches, the data is more credible than when many sources give equally varying and contradictory views on a topic of interest. References Boslaugh, S, 2007, Secondary Data Sources for Public Health: A practical Brodeur, C, Israel, G and Craig, D, 2010, Using Secondary Data to Build Strong Extension Programs, University of Florida, Last accessed on April 18, 2012 from < http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pd010> Church, R, 2001, The Effective Use of Secondary Data, Brown University, viewed on April 19, 2012 Corti, L and Bishop, L, 2005, Strategies in teaching secondary analysis of qualitative data, FQS, last accessed on April 18, 2012 from CSU, 2012, Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Secondary Analysis, Colorado State University, viewed on April 19, 2012 Ekkehard, M, n.d., Data archiving and the uses of secondary analysis, University of Cologne, last accessed on April 18, 2012 from http://www.metadater.org/archiving_and_secondary_analysis.htm Emathzone, 2012, Collection of Statistical Data, emathzone.com, last accessed on April 18, 2012 from HD.gov, 2009, Secondary Data Analysis, Human Dimensions, Last accessed on April 18, 2012 from < http://www.hd.gov/HDdotGov/detail.jsp?ContentID=352> Kiecolt, J and Nathan, L, 1985, Secondary Data Analysis of Survey Data, Thousand Oaks, Sage Publications Pp. 2-9, Viewed on April 19, 2012 Katherine, M, 1998, Tips for Collecting, Reviewing, and Analyzing Secondary Data, Sociological Research Online, Pp. 2-4, Last accessed on April 18, 2012 from < http://erdt.plymouth.ac.uk/mionline/public_html/viewarticle.php?id=27&layout=html> Kelly, M, 2005, Primary and Secondary Data, McKinnon Secondary College, Last accessed on April 18, 2012 from < http://www.mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au/vceit/infodata/primarysecondary.htm> Stynes, D, 2003, Secondary Data Analysis, Michigan State University, Last accessed on April 18, 2012 from Read More