Privatization of Zain Company in Kuwait - Research Paper Example

A pilot study enables researchers to make a choice when they are torn between choosing between a self-administered questionnaire and using interviews.This paper seeks to explicate the steps involved in undertaking a pilot study on the research topic, ‘Privatization of Zain Company in Kuwait.’ Few studies conducted on the telecommunication sector in Kuwait have revealed that the privatization of Zain company has played an integral role in the company’s steady growth and expansion. Methods1. To determine the practicability of the study protocolThe pilot study was conducted from November and December 2014.

In the pilot study, there was strict adherence to study protocol. This implies that a small scale version of the full study was tested. In this regard, sixty-one participants randomly selected from customers of Zain Company in Kuwait. The demographics that were emphasized included age, level of education and the position in which every respondent serves in Zain Company. 2. Recruitment of subjectsThe researchers invited the subjects to participate in the study. They were given enough time to make up their decision whether they wished to take part in the research or not.

They confirmed their consent by signing consent forms. They were then given questionnaires that sought information on their genders, age, profession, educational levels, customer preferences, just to mention but a few. The response rate was recorded and the researchers ensured that data collection went on smoothly.3. Testing measurement instruments The measuring instrument, in this case, was the questionnaire. The participants were expected to complete the questions themselves with the help of the research assistants.

During this pilot study, it was also vital to ensure that the questionnaire items addressed the research questions accurately. The pilot also tested the appropriateness or comprehensibility of the questionnaire. In addition, it also aimed at finding out whether the questions were clearly understood, well defined, and plainly presented in an unswerving manner.Issues observed among the participants during the questionnaire pilot study comprised:• Questionnaire length (The time taken to finish answering the questions).

• Ability to understand the instructions in the cover letter.• Ability to comprehend the questionnaire items, sequence of questions, terms used, as well as flow of ideas.• The format, font and layout.• Other comments brought forward by participants.1. Data entry and analysisData obtained from the sixty-one participants were keyed in a computer by a research assistant who was not part of the team who went to the field to collect data. The entries were made directly into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program.

Every questionnaire item used a specified code. The data was then analyzed using SPSS version 11.5. Results1. The practicability of the study protocolThe total time taken by the researcher to explicate the research and acquire consent from the subjects was approximately between three and five minutes. Data collection study procedures were encountered at the initial stages of the process since some research assistants were not sure on the best way of guiding the participants through the questions.

This problem was brought about by the research assistants’ unfamiliarity with the research questions. However, after three or four participants, this hitch was rectified.