Formulating Research Designs - Coursework Example

Formulating research designs By Foundation Department Introduction The research design is the strategy that a researcher chooses to combine the many study components in a logical and coherent way, thus, making sure that the research problem is effectively addressed (Sridhar 2010). It constitutes the outline for the collection, measurement, as well as analysis of data. When researchers want to carry out investigations as well as studies, they should first decide how they will get the accurate data needed to support their original hypothesis, as well as the aim. Once the researcher has chosen the topic that he/she wants to investigate, he/she is supposed to choose the right methods to gather their data. The choice of the methods depends on several factors like time of study, ethical considerations, size of participants and access to participants (Mitchell & Jolly 2010). The general decision entails which design should be utilized to study a subject. Enlightening this decision ought to be the worldview conjectures the researcher brings to the research; inquiry procedures or strategies; precise data collection methods, analysis, as well as interpretation. Selection of a research design is also bases on the nature of the research topic or issue being tackled, the researchers’ experiences, as well as the audiences for the study. Criteria for selecting research design Different types of research topics need specific approaches. For instance, if the problem needs (a) the recognition of factors that determine an outcome, (b) the intervention utility, or (c) understanding the predictors of results, then a quantitative approach is suitable. It is as well the suitable approach to employ to test an explanation or a theory. Conversely, if a phenomenon or concept requires to be understood because little research has been conducted on it, then it qualifies a qualitative approach (Mitchell & Jolly 2010). Qualitative research is exploratory and is appropriate when the researcher is not aware of the essential variables to look at. This approach may be desirable when the topic is new or has never been tackled with a particular sample, and the current theories do not apply to the sample under study (Sridhar 2010). A mixed method design is appropriate when either the qualitative or quantitative approach by itself is not adequate to understand a research topic best. It is also suitable when the strengths of both qualitative and quantitative research can give the best understanding. For instance, a researcher may need to both generalize the results to a population, in addition, to developing a thorough view of the phenomenon or concept meaning for individuals. In this study, the inquirer initially explores, in general, to learn the variables to study and then studies the variables with a huge sample of people. On the other hand, researchers may initially survey a huge number of people and then follow up with only some participants to get their views on the topic. In these circumstances, collecting both closed-ended qualitative data, as well as open-ended quantitative data, is advantageous (Sridhar 2010). Researchers’ individual experiences and training also influence the choice of research design. Someone trained in computer statistical programs, being familiar with quantitative articles in the library would probably choose the quantitative design. Alternatively, people who love writing in or carrying out personal interviews as well as making close observations may choose the qualitative design approach. Someone familiar with both quantitative, as well as qualitative research may opt to choose the mixed methods approach (Mitchell & Jolly 2010). This person should also have resources and the time to collect both quantitative, as well as qualitative data. He/she should also have outlets for mixed methods researches. Since quantitative research is the traditional approach to research, carefully worked out rules and procedures exist for them. Researchers might be more comfortable with the systematic process of quantitative research. In addition, for some people, it can be uneasy to challenge established approaches in some faculty by use of qualitative and participatory/ advocacy approaches to investigation. Alternatively, qualitative approaches permit room to be inventive and to work within researcher-designed frameworks more. They allow more literary style, creative writing, a form that people may like to use. For the mixed methods researcher, the project can take more time since they need to gather and analyze both qualitative as well as quantitative data. Researchers write for funders as well as audiences that will accept their research. These audiences might be journal readers, journal editors, graduate committees, or colleagues in the field. The audience experiences with qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods studies can determine the decision made concerning the research design choice (Mitchell & Jolly 2010). Topic 1: Evaluating the effectiveness of employee selection processes in a small family-run restaurant. The aim of this study is to explore and derive enhanced methods for the recruitment, selection as well as retention of workers in small family-owned businesses and to understand better the variables as well as dynamics affecting the selection, recruitment, and retention processes. It is the aim of this research to come up with conclusions that will improve the capacity of managers or owner of family-owned small business to tackle the difficulties of the selection, recruitment, and retention relationship. The design for this research should be an exploratory ex-post facto since it has been premeditated to explore concerns, actual or perceived, relating to the selection process of employees in small family-owned firm. Hartas (2010) asserts that empirical research is very appropriate when a closely defined explanation is necessary for a wider area narrowed down to precise issues for examination, e.g. narrowing down from big to small business. It is important to use multi-methods in the overall investigation development to allow the researcher to explore the matter from a broader viewpoint. Mixture of methods provides firmness to research as well as contributes to the prevention of the bias formed by use of single methods. The research design as well as methods selected should intend to generate an entire piece of study. The type of the study depends on the phases of knowledge advancement in the study area. In regards to this, an exploratory design is suitable for this research. The exploratory design should be correlation since the researcher intends to delineate the significant variables that are connected to the problem. Data collection methods Being a major quantitative survey, nevertheless, as the process is entirely voluntary, it is essential to survey by traditional mail methods, as well as by hand delivered questionnaires so as to provide sufficient numbers for the preliminary survey. The methodology should continue with qualitative semi-structured interviews. Two methods alone are best when selecting mixed methods, thus, confirming the choice of the researcher of questionnaire as well as semi-structured interviews (Sridhar 2010). The data, as well as analysis from the quantitative survey, will offer the basis that the interview instrument should be developed. Upon interview questions modification, ten semi-formal interviews should be conducted until saturation point is established with the managers or owner of family-owned small businesses. Additionally, structured exploratory questionnaires should be used as suggested by Flick (2007) as the main methodology. The investigative questionnaire should be developed to collect data concerning the recruitment, selection, as well as retention of workers from the owner or managers of small family-owned businesses. The wide sweeping questionnaire should enable information to be gathered from several areas and many and different types of business. It should also allow cheap and quick collection of data. It was evident that the use of the information the structured exploratory questionnaires, should enable examination of existing conditions regarding the staff selection process and provide the basis for the usage of mixed research designs as recommended by Flick (2007). Estimating the appropriate sample size is one of the crucial aspects of the process of recruitment. Before a designing a study, it is important though not mandatory to estimate the sample size essential to show an important result. Too small sample size to detect differences can lead to researches which are wasteful or unethical. Besides, it can generate misleading outcomes. For instance, the results might indicate that there is no difference amid groups or connection between variables, when in the real sense there is an association or difference (Rovai, Baker & Ponton 2013). On the contrary, a very large sample size may lead to unnecessary expenses of time, finance, and effort. To decrease the probability of these errors, a power calculation is normally undertaken at the design phase (Anastas 2012). For these reasons, researchers should make allowances in regards time as well as money for the recruitment of a preferred sample size. Qualitative research method does not set out to disconfirm or prove a hypothesis; rather it tries to deepen understanding or to explain meaning. In regards to this, qualitative research theory claims that there are many truths, all of which are valid (Flick 2007). From this basis, semi-structured interviews should enable the researcher to collect many truths as well as deepen understanding by using data obtained from the managers or the owner of the small family businesses directly. These semi-structured interviews should be done with the clear reason for developing, via the subjective experiences of the participants, a deeper understanding as well as broad meaning of the selection recruitment, and retention relationships in small family-owned businesses. Sampling So as to determine the foundation for the semi-structured interviews sample for the qualitative feature of this study, non-probability sampling should be used. Non-probability sampling is a design whereby the population does not have a predetermined or known chance of being chosen as sample subjects (Mitchell & Jolly 2010). This kind of research should be decided on, as it is important to make purposive concerning whom to interview. The option of Purposive Sampling should then be made by making a decision on Judgment Sampling so as to select subjects who are in the most excellent position to give the information needed (Mitchell & Jolly 2010). As several samples should be distributed throughout the regions and travel costs prohibitive, the decision needed to make sure that face-to-face interviews are made with the interviewees. Information relating to cultural, social, and environmental facts should come from those who are experiencing the factors first hand (Rovai, Baker & Ponton 2013). Questions should be purposely open-ended so as to encourage the participants to feel free to make wider the discussion to a level that she or he feel at ease in discussing their in detail relationship experiences, both bad and good (Hall 2008). The researcher should repeat the main themes said by the participant so as to confirm what will be said and make sure that the participant are happy with the explanation made of what will be said by the researcher, thus providing validation. Ethical considerations 1. The semi-structured interviews should be conducted with interviewees being made aware that all that should be discussed will be kept in strictest confidence. 2. The semi-structured interviews should be totally voluntary. Participants should be provided with a consent letter, which they should sign giving consent to their contribution in the process of interview (Mitchell & Jolly 2010). 3. Participants should be provided with a letter of consent with the aim of the interview process. 4. The name; telephone number, address; and email address of the supervisor and the researcher, just in case the participant wanted to contact the researcher. 5. Participants should be aware that they can withdraw at any time in the process (Anastas 2012). Strengths and limitations The strengths of this study may be the sample size, given the scarcity of resources and time experienced by owners of small business in rural as well as regional areas. The selection of a triangulation quantitative survey as well as semi-structured interviews should make it possible to challenge and enrich the findings of the Literature Review (Mitchell & Jolly 2010). This research mixed model offers a holistic perspective of as well as considerate understanding of the several difficulties that owners face in selecting employees in a competitive place of work environment. The size of the region studied can be restricted by the unaffordable costs of travel as well as accommodation, even as the hand delivered surveys are circulated and collected. Non-probability choice of the sample is an added limitation. Since this study project can be limited by time, the design cannot be longitudinal (Rovai, Baker & Ponton 2013). It can be possible that conflicting results can be expected in a prolonged time period. Topic 2: Exploring International students’ experiences of Coventry University induction programmes. Introduction An induction is a first experience, an experience that introduces someone to something formerly unknown or mysterious (Davis & Waite). Activities in a University are planned in such a way to assist in acquainting new and international students with new systems, and new people. There are two distinct types of induction. First, induction is those events that happen instantly on the arrival of a new student. This is conceivably the most widespread type of induction and is seldom identified as ‘welcome week’, ‘orientation’ or ‘early induction’. Another meaning of induction is to a longer-term integration of new students into the ways in that the institution runs, mainly as it relates to its learning and teaching methods (Davis & Waite). The first week of a new international student’s introduction to Coventry University can be an anxious as well as daunting time despite the fact that induction programs have been planned to assist new students settle. The beginning of a course as one of the most at risk time thus universities need to make this introduction a soft transition to Higher education, but the question is if this is achieved. If the transition is rough, this can impact on retention an issue exacerbated with raised numbers, and as learner withdrawal is rising it is essential to regard systems that assist in attenuating such figures. This research should investigate students’ experiences of induction to Coventry University. The research should seek to enlighten international students’ perceptions, as well as expectations of their induction experiences. The research should be guided by a conceptual framework basing on a ‘gap analysis’ model that originate from the marketing and business literature. This methodology and the model underpinning it should provide a starting point for empirical exploration and a means of investigating gaps amid perceptions and expectations. Research Methodology As a way of enhancing the induction programs presently offered to international students, a research should be conducted research to explore possible disparities amid the induction programs offered to international students and what the students consider an induction to the program should entail or consist of in terms of it successfully introducing them to the programs as well as meeting their needs as international learners. The concern should be to identify any gap between ‘what should be offered’ and ‘what was offered’ defined at the students’ level (Hall 2008). A number of aspects should be explored as part of this study for example assessing the present content of the program’s induction actions, eliciting international learners’ needs, anxieties and concerns as well as their expectations of induction program, instructors’ perceptions of learners’ expectations and needs, and students’ experiences/perceptions of the actual induction activities. A qualitative approach should be adopted since the nature of the study is exploratory and will also enable students to bring up issues relevant to them (Rovai, Baker & Ponton 2013). Focus groups, open-ended questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews should be used so that views can be expressed at length. This approach characteristically creates a wider range of responses depth though is usually harder to tabulate into orderly and absolute classes. Data collection Empirical research should be carried out during the study, and an exploratory questionnaire should be administered at the end of induction week to obtain international student’s needs, concerns, expectations, and anxieties. The method to be used should be a survey, comprising of both quantitative and qualitative questions. Data collection should be undertaken by use of a self-completion questionnaire. A two-page questionnaire should be developed containing both closed and open questions. Closed questions will allow only a restricted number of responses but can be used to measure perceptions and attitude (Anastas 2012). The questionnaire should have three parts: induction topics, induction importance as well as demographic information. A Likert scale should be used in the first part of the questionnaire, to identify the rate of effectiveness of each topic discussed during the induction process. The second section should consist of statements to assess international students’ perceptions concerning the whole process, how it may assist in their transition to Coventry University, the impact it has on learners and aspects relating to program duration and time. In regards to the nature of the data, exploratory and descriptive analysis should be employed (Rovai, Baker & Ponton 2013). Negatives and positives of research designs Cross-sectional design These studies are conducted at one-time point or within a short period (Hartas 2010). They are normally conducted to approximate the incidence of the outcome of interest for a certain population. Information can also be collected on personal characteristics, e.g. exposure to risk factors, together with data about the outcome. Thus cross-sectional studies give a snapshot of the outcome as well as the characteristics connected with it, at a particular point in time. A cross-sectional study design is utilized when the study purpose is descriptive, usually in the survey form (Mitchell & Jolly 2010). Advantages Fairly inexpensive and takes a little time to carry out. It can approximate prevalence of an outcome of interest since sample is normally taken from the entire population. Many outcomes as well as risk factors can be evaluated; there is no loss to follow-up. Disadvantages It is difficult to make causal conclusion; only a snapshot: the state might provide contradictory outcomes if another time-frame had been selected (Hartas 2010); prevalence-incidence bias Longitudinal Designs A longitudinal design gathers information over long periods of time. Measurements are taken on every variable in two or more different time periods. This enables the researcher to assess change in variables with time (Hall 2008). Advantages Data is; easy to collect, easy to interpret, easy to present in graphs. Additionally, it can forecast short term trends. Disadvantages Data collection method might fluctuate with time; hard to indicate more than a single variable at a time; requires qualitative research to elucidate fluctuations; assumes present trends will go on unchanged Survey/descriptive research design This method uses question-based surveys to gather data on how people think and act. Advantages The design is easy since the questionnaires are fairly easy to administer. Moreover, it is reliable because it uses fixed response questions that reduce variability in the outcomes that might be caused by disparities in interviewers thus enhances responses reliability. Lastly, it is as well simple in coding, analysis, as well as data interpretation (Hall 2008). Disadvantages Participants may be unwilling or unable to provide the preferred information. Structured data gathering entailing a questionnaire with fixed response options may lead to loss of validity for particular types of data, like feelings and beliefs. Wording questions properly is not easy. Exploratory design An exploratory design is usually conducted on a research problem when there are less or no earlier researches to refer so as to predict an outcome. It focuses on gaining insights, as well as awareness for later investigation (Hartas 2010). It can also be undertaken when research problems are in a preliminary phase of the investigation. The aim of exploratory research is to produce insights like: well grounded image of the condition being developed, generation of assumptions as well as new ideas, development of tentative hypotheses or theories, determination about if a study is feasible in the future. Advantages Design is useful for obtaining background information on a certain topic. Exploratory research is very flexible addressing research questions of every type (Hartas 2010). It offers an opportunity to describe new terms as well as clarify existing concepts. Exploratory research is usually used to create formal hypotheses as well as develop more accurate research problems (Mitchell & Jolly 2010). Exploratory studies help to establish study priorities as well as where resources must be allocated. Disadvantages Exploratory research usually utilizes small sized sample; therefore, findings are usually not generalizable to the entire population. The exploratory nature of the study hinders an ability to make ultimate conclusions about the results. They offer insight but not ultimate conclusions (Hall 2008). The research process reinforcing exploratory studies is flexible but usually unstructured, leading to only uncertain results that have inadequate worth to decision-makers. This design lacks precise standards applied to methods of information collection and analysis since one of the areas for investigation could be to find out what method could best fit the research topic. Conclusion In research project planning, researchers need to find out if they will utilize a quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods design. The design is based on getting together assumptions or worldview about research, the exact strategies of inquiry, as well as research methods (Mitchell & Jolly 2010). Decisions concerning design choice are further determined by the individual experiences of the researcher, research problem being studied, and the audience that the researcher writes for. Reference ANASTAS, J. W. (2012). Research Design for Social Work and the Human Services. New York, Columbia University Press. http://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=949030 DAVIS, B. H., & WAITE, S. F. (0). The Long-Term Effects of a Public School/State University Induction Program. FLICK, U. (2007). Designing qualitative research. London, SAGE HALL, R. (2008). Applied social research: planning, designing and conducting real-world research. South Yarra, Vic, Palgrave Macmillan. HARTAS, D. (2010). Educational research and inquiry: qualitative and quantitative approaches. London, Continuum. MITCHELL, M. L., & JOLLEY, J. M. (2010). Research design explained. Australia, Wadsworth. ROVAI, A. P., BAKER, J. D., & PONTON, M. K. (2013). Social science research design and statistics: a practitioners guide to research methods and SPSS analysis. Chesapeake, VA, Watertree Press. SRIDHAR, M. S. (2010). Introduction to research methodology: problem selection, formulation and research design. [Raleigh, N. C., USA], M. S. Sridhar, Lulu. Read More