The Usage of Interviews for Data Collection in the Context of Management Research - Coursework Example

A Critical Evaluation of the use of Interviews for Data Collection in Management Research Name Institution Professor Course Date A Critical Evaluation of the use of Interviews for Data Collection in Management Research Research refers to a systematic work towards increasing the stock of knowledge of man, culture, and academic facets. Research is becoming an essential component in the context of management. Managers and business entities have the obligation of organizing and executing diverse research with the aim of understanding different factors and mechanisms in relation to their competitive advantage in the market and industry of operation. Nevertheless, it is essential to note that business entities and companies must integrate feedback from their consumers, employees, and other relevant stakeholders to improve effectiveness and efficiency in handling preferences and demands of the target audiences. For research to be effective and efficient there is need for substantial knowledge on the most effective research methodology in collection of data for the research process. From this perspective, it is essential to note that managers and business entities seeking to execute research practices have different methods and instruments at their disposal for the collection and analysis of data. Some of the examples in the collection of data during the research practice include case study, interviews, administration of the questionnaires, biological tests, and surveys. Researchers have the obligation of evaluating their objectives, research participants, and scope of the study in determination of the most effective research instrument or methodology in the collection of data. One of the essential instruments in the collection of data is the usage of interviews. The purpose of this research is to focus on assessment of the usage of interviews for data collection in the context of management research. In order to execute this research purpose, the paper will focus on the usage of interviews for collection of data in three critical journals (peer-reviewed) with the intention of understanding the importance and efficiency in relation to integration of interviews in data collection. In addition, the paper will concentrate on one of the emerging and prominent topics in management with reference to the case of human resource management. In the modern society, human resource management has been essential because of the increasing influence of human resources in the achievement of competitive advantage as well as enhancement of the image and reputation of the business entity in the market and industry of transaction. This makes it one of the most interesting topics in management research. On the other hand, management researchers focus on the exploitation of interviews in data collection for diverse reasons. One of the potential reasons in the usage of interviews for data collection is the need to adopt and implement a flexible instrument to facilitate collection of data in diverse contexts. This paper will also evaluate the importance of understanding the most appropriate research instrument for the collection of data in the midst of uncertainties. There are four interview techniques: face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews, MSN messenger interviews, and E-mail interviews vital in data collection. The topics of these research journals vary, but seek to examine the importance and factors affecting the issue of human resource management in the modern companies or business entities. There are different management research articles in relation to human resource management. It is ideal to focus on the organization and execution of these research articles and practices with the aim of understanding implication of interviews during data collection. One of the essential management researches in the topic is Iveta (2012). The purpose of this article is to assess the key performance indicators in relation to human resources. In order to achieve this purpose, the researcher focuses on exploiting a proposed strategy map as well as key performance indicators within the context of human resource management. In the article, the author presents an overview of the support for each human resource activities in reaching the partial goals for human resource management with reference to the strategic map. From this illustration, the researcher seeks to determine the possibility of integrating modern Balanced Scorecard technique in enhancing human capital in existing and emerging business entities and companies. In order to address these research objectives, the researcher focused on executing the research during October 2010 in relation to business entities and companies in the context of Czech and Slovak republic. The instruments in data collection were structured interviews on 14 managers for an average of 45 minutes. Online interview was essential in the collection of data from the human resource managers and employees. Effective and efficient interviews were essential in arriving at the conclusions and findings of the study with reference to the impact of the key performance indicators on the concept of human resources (Seidman, 2013). In this research, the author justifies the usage of interviews because of the opportunity to probe towards realization of more complete as well as better responses from the human resource managers. In addition, the research instrument (interview) in this context enables Iveta (2012) to generate rich data, details, and new insights with reference to operation of the human resources and influence of the Balanced Scorecard on human capital. These attributes contribute to flexibility and efficiency during data collection. The structured interviews ensure that the researcher sticks to the scope of the research rather than integrate new elements of the study leading to insufficient data for analysis and referencing purposes. Another influential management research in relation to the usage of interviews in data collection in the course of research practice is (Parry & Tyson, 2008). The purpose of the study is to assess the usage and success of online recruitment methods in the United Kingdom. According to the article, the usage of online recruitment techniques is now widespread among the organizations in the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, the concept has failed to dominate the market in relation to the prediction by the popular media. In order to address these objectives, these researchers focused on conducting twenty interviews with relevant users and providers of the online recruitment. The intention was to generate depth assessment on the factors contributing to the success of online recruitment techniques in relation to human resource management. According to the findings from the structured face-to-face interviews in data collection, companies in the United Kingdom focus on adopting and implementing partial online recruitment techniques in seeking to boost their human capital. From this management research, the influence of interviews in data collection is evident in the efficiency and effectiveness in collection of substantial and in-depth information for generalization. For instance, integration of interviews in this research practice was essential in the development of an appropriate rapport between the researcher and the respondent. This is essential in the generation of in-depth and detailed information since the respondent has the opportunity to operate in a relaxed atmosphere (Tracy, 2013). In addition, interviews in this management research are critical in the achievement of better and more explained answers concerning the findings with reference to factors determining the success and usage of online recruitment techniques in the case of the United Kingdom. It is essential to note that the research was a qualitative design aiming to evaluate factors affecting the success of a phenomenon. This makes it ideal for the researchers to adopt and incorporate elements of interviews in the search for quality and detailed information in accordance with the scope of the study. Researchers had the opportunity to probe further for unclear answers concerning the interview questions thus an effective tool in data collection. Another critical research journal in relation to human resource management as well as the usage of interviews in data collection is Tiemo & Arubayi (2012). The purpose of this peer-reviewed journal is to examine issues of equality and diversity in the recruitment practices in the case of Nigeria. It is essential to note that recruitment is one of the essential roles of human resource management aiming to enable business entities and companies to achieve their goals and targets in the market and industry of transaction. In order to address the objectives and purpose of the study, the authors of the management research focused on evaluation of the context of recruitment practices among the public and private firms in the case of Nigeria. The study incorporates a mixed methodology approach thus an opportunity to incorporate both secondary and primary data in evaluating the research questions. The population of the study focused on federal and state ministries as well as private entities operating in Asaba, Delta state. The researchers sought to use random selection in generating a sample of 42 human resource practitioners (22 from public institutions and 20 from private companies) prior to collection of primary data through integration of structured face-to-face interviews. The usage of interviews was essential in demonstrating similarities and differences in the recruitment processes and practices in relation to private and public sectors. In this research, it is essential to note the ability of the interviews to generate in-depth analysis and detailed information with reference to the scope of the study. It is also essential to note that the face-to-face interviews were ideal in formation of effective and efficient rapport between the respondent and the researchers (Ployhart, 2011). This makes it ideal for appropriate data collection and analysis prior to generalization of the findings in the development of theoretical perspectives in human resource management. Conclusively, the usage of interviews in the collection of data for management research is a critical approach towards enhancing collection of valuable information in accordance with the scope of the research. From the critical analysis of the three research journals, it is essential to note that selection of the appropriate methodology in the collection of data is a critical facet in realization of effectiveness in any research inclusive of the management research. It is essential to pay substantial attention and consideration to available research instruments in relation to collection of data. Different researches project diverse conditions and contexts. This makes it essential for the researchers to evaluate the existing research methods and instruments appealing to their scope, questions, and research objectives in the course of the research practice. Another element of the discussion is the importance of the usage of interviews during the collection of data with reference to the case of management research. One of the ideal benefit of the usage of interviews for data collection as evident in the case of the three research journals is the opportunity to probe through verbal and nonverbal prompts leading to better explained answers. In addition, interviews are essential in realization of direct feedback from respondents thus lack of manipulation of the findings in the course of data collection. Researchers also have the opportunity to exploit observation as another evaluation or assessment techniques. This is vital in recording physical observations during the interviews hence an opportunity to accumulate additional information. Similarly, interviews contribute towards generation of rich data, details, and new insights. From this perspective, respondents have the opportunity to describe meaningful elements of data in their own words. It is also ideal to note that interviews enable researchers to gain personal interaction with respondents thus an opportunity to develop a rapport with the interviewee in a relaxed environment. Finally, it is possible for management researchers to explore research topics in depth and flexible approaches. These attributes ensure that interviews generate quality data for evaluation of different management topics such as human resource management with in the course of executing management researches. List of References Tiemo, J. A & Arubayi, D. O, 2012, “Recruitment Practices in Nigeria: Issues of Equality and Diversity.” Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences (JETEMS), 3 (3): 210-213. Ployhart R. E, 2011, “Staffing in the 21st Century: New Challenges and Strategic Opportunities.” Journal of Management, 32; 869-897. Parry E, & Tyson S, 2008, “An Analysis of the Use and Success of Online Recruitment Methods in the United Kingdom.” Human Resource Management Journal, 18 (3): 257-274. Iveta G, 2012, “Human Resources Key Performance Indicators.” Journal of Competitiveness, 4 (1): 117-128. Seidman, I. 2013. Interviewing as qualitative research: a guide for researchers in education and the social sciences. New York, Teachers College Press. Tracy, S. J. 2013. Qualitative research methods collecting evidence, crafting analysis, communicating impact. Malden, MA, Wiley-Blackwell. Read More