Why a Mixed Method Design Is Important for Each Element of Research about Ethical Leadership - Term Paper Example

Introduction Ethical leadership is an emerging discussion in the modern society. The importance of ethical leadership, definition and scope, is a significant debate especially in the academic and student circles. The importance of this topic lies in the fact, that educational leaders shape not only the present but the future as well, with their actions. To further understand the topic, some key questions must be answered. Problem Statement ‘How can ethical leadership in educational institutions, influence a positive learning environment?’ Key Questions 1- What is Ethical Leadership in the 21st century? 2- What is ethics? 3- How to promote democracy in a diverse educational environment? 4- What is to be achieved with ethical leadership in the 21st century? Research Methodology Research design A research design is the glue that holds the research process together. It integrates different parts of the research process, into a coherent set of actions that can result in a valid outcome. Research design ensures that different parts of the research process do not conflict with each other. Research design usually comes after we have identified problem situations and developed a Hypothesis or problem statement. It’s usually is a rational decision making process, which is very methodological. To understand the role of ethical leadership in the educational environment, opinions, literature and hardcore statistics will be equally important. The nature of the study is such that a single dimensional study with only statistics or only opinions will not be able to answer the question at hand. In such a study taking only quantitative or only a qualitative analysis will complicate the problem statement. Thus there is a need to take a mixed method design approach for the study mentioned. A study using a mixed method design aims to establish facts using both quantitative and qualitative data; therefore it is called a mixed method design. Mixed method design is usually used in studies which are on the initial stages of research, and the research questions require the research to both come up with the proper definitions and solve the problem statement at the same time. If we use mixed method design for ‘How can ethical leadership in educational institution, influence a positive learning environment?’ a design with the following elements can be used. Below are details of why a mixed method design is important, for each element of research design. Purpose of the study The purpose of the study will be to both explore and describe certain elements to enhance and increase understanding. An exploratory study is undertaken when not much is known about the situation, or there are no valid examples of how similar problems have been handled in the past. This type of study enables to better comprehend the nature of the problem. In essence an exploratory study enables the researcher to get much needed familiarity with a research topic before starting research. In the present case the first two questions require an exploratory study. Researcher will explore what is ethics and ethical leadership, before commencing to the other questions. The purpose of the study is also descriptive in nature. Descriptive studies are usually undertaken when the need arises to establish norms of behavior. These norms of behavior could be about any number of variables. In essence a descriptive study would enable a researcher to profile behavior or describe the expected behavior of variables. In the present scenario, a descriptive study would be needed in order to answer the third and fourth questions. To find ways to promote democracy; the need would arise to describe behavior of students and their leaders in order to determine the right course of action to promote democracy. The environment would also have to be described in order to determine the different variables which can be of importance to the outcome of success of failure in case of diversity application efforts. For the last questions ‘What is to be achieved with ethical leadership in the 21st century?’ descriptive study will enable describing nature of the variables involved which could lead to establishment of targets. For example to understand the targets of ethical leadership, behavior of variables such as principal participation in ethical leadership efforts etc; must be understood. Types of investigation The study will need to use both causal and co-relational types of investigation. Causal relationship is used when the research requires the researcher to establish a definitive relationship between two variables. Causal relationship usually comprise of a cause and effect relationship that is variables X the independent variable causes the changes in or creates , variable Y. In our case for the third question on how to promote diversity in a complex educational environment, the research will have to establish relationships which cause the existence of diversity. Here diversity will be the dependent variable, while other factors which cause diversity or hinder it existence will be described as independent variables. This causal study will indentify the effects of these independent variables on this study. A Correlation study usually identifies the variables that are related to a problem. Establishing a correlation investigation precedes a causal study. It identifies all the involved independent variables that can affect the dependent variables. The first two questions will require a correlation investigation. Definition of ethics and ethical leadership will enables us to indentify the variables that are involved in the study and can affect the outcome of the research problem. Extent of research interference The extent of researcher interference with a study is directly related to the fact that whether the study is co-relational or causal. The extent of researcher interference is usually high if the study is causal. This is because in a causal relationship the researcher changes independent variables to different degrees to assess the consequent effect on the dependent variable. In respect to the third question there will be interference of the researcher, as different variables will have to be introduced into the study to see if they have any affect in changing the dependent variable. This will however be moderate interference. The researcher will examine different scenarios which are best for the application or introduction of diversity. These different scenarios will comprise of varying affect of different variables, thus enabling the determination of the best optimal combination of independent variables. However in the first and second question the extent of researcher interference will be nonexistent. This is because they will usually involve exploring existing phenomenon and established facts, mostly from already present literature or surveys; thus not needing any type of interference. This can also be categorized as minimal interference when we talk about survey questionnaires. This is because the act of introducing questionnaires is in itself interference, no matter how minimal. Study settings The study setting used will be non-contrived. Contrived settings are only used in case of lab experiments. This however will be a field experiment and field study. For the first two questions for example the researcher does not need an artificial environment. On the contrary a very natural environment is required where the real definitions of the variables can surface. The role and meaning of ethical leadership as understood by principals and students must be grasped for validity and reliability of the study. If a contrived environment is used the results of the study will not be useful for practical application in the real world. This will also be a field experiment for the third and fourth question. As we discussed above the setting will be kept non-contrived. For example if the researcher wants to know that stern behavior of the principal increases or decreases diversity, he will have to use the natural environment of a school or college to get the results. Measurements and Measures Most of the measures will be operational identifications. The study will aim to define and identify different variables. However categorization and scaling will also be required for understanding the methods for promotion of diversity. The study will scale the effects of variables on increasing or decreasing diversity. The different types of student and professors will also be categorized according to their psychological profiles. Data collection methods Interviews, survey and literature surveys will be conducted. The first two questions will be answered through both questionnaire and literature survey. Using journals and books basic definitions of ethics and ethical leadership’s role in the 21st century will be established. Surveys will be conducted thereafter to uncover common perceptions about these issues; determining similarities and conflicts. The answers of these surveys will be quantified to determine the variables that both students and their leaders think are important. Time horizon The time horizon for the study will be longitudinal in nature as described before the study is causal in nature. Therefore the responses at different points in time will have to be studied especially for question three and four. Unit of analysis The unit of analysis will be the individual in regard of leadership. As we have to establish how the educational leaders behave individually when confronting dilemmas and problems, we will study them in isolation. The behavior of students and their role in creating diversity and handling democracy will be studied in a group. This is because when we talk about democracy, students never give independent response; they in fact usually act in form of homogenous group. As the number of student under study is very large it is also more convenient to study their behavior in groups rather than individuals. Alternative methods A mixed method has been given preference in the research design. The reasons for why it is the most suitable method already have been explained in detail above. Qualitative and quantitative design would not have been able to answer the research problem in question. Qualitative design gives only an exploratory perspective on the study. Qualitative studies are used when the researcher believe that enough work has already been done in the field and relevant material is present in journals and books etc, to answer the problem statement. Thus using already present material the researcher presents a case for his problem statement. This sort of methodology and design would not have been appropriate for the problem under argument. The research requires field experiment and requires the researcher to identify causal relationship between variables. This is not possible with only qualitative data and analysis. On the other hand a quantitative method is used by researchers when there is no need to identify any variables and relationships. This mode of study is usually chosen when the research on a particular topic already exists and enables the researcher to gather basic understand of variable behavior. In this case the topic as mentioned is unique, there is need first to indentify the variables and their nature with a co-relational study. Thus using only quantitative method without prior literature survey and study would also result in a failure. Works Cited Sekaran, Umma. Business Research Methodology: A skill building approach. Illinois: John Wiley& Sons. ‘Types of Designs’. Research Methods Knowledge base. 22 November 2008. (http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/destypes.php) ‘Qualitative and Mixed Designs.’ Companion Website for Educational Research. 22nd November 22, 2009. (http://wps.ablongman.com/ab_mcmillan_edresearch_4/0,8574,1062755-,00.html) ‘Quasi Experimental Design’. Research Methods Knowledge base. 22 November 2008. (http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/destypes.php) Brannen, Julia. Mixing Methods: The Entry of Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches into the Research Process. International Journal of Social Research Methodology. Read More