Job Satisfaction among Healthcare Employees in Hospitals in Saudi Arabia - Research Paper Example

Running Head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL Research Proposal of the of the Motivation and Job Satisfaction among Healthcare Employees in Hospitals in Saudi Arabia Introduction Background of the Study The objectives of each and every healthcare organization are to ensure health and provide healthcare services, through the promotion of health and the prevention of disease. However, these health services can not be delivered without the presence of a professional medical team (i.e. physicians, nurses, lab technicians, and others). Thus, the team cannot function effectively and successfully without a nurse; production will be affected when one of the main team pillars is missing i.e. nurse. Besides the efforts of every member in the group such as a physician or a nurse, are absolutely essential. Therefore, it can be concluded that nurses are crucial to the success of any healthcare system, which in terms ensure high quality services are delivered to patients. The Importance of Job Satisfaction Working is a requirement for most people and most people will spend the majority of their adult lives at work; therefore, employers should have a moral obligation to make the experience personally rewarding and be able to motivate employees to provide superior output and as a result gain competitive advantage (Kovach, 1987). JS as a topic concerns both those working in the organisation and those studying them. It is also important because of its effect on the physical and emotional well-being of employees i.e. JS has relevance for human health (Rose, 2005). Chopra (1991) stated that numerous studies at various medical centres have agreed on the fact that people live longer, healthier lives, if they are satisfied with their jobs.. Problem Statement A vast body of knowledge exists globally regarding the factors influencing nurses’ satisfaction. However, not many studies have been conducted about these factors in Saudi Arabia (S.A). Therefore, this study will address nurses’ JS in S.A. In this research the question to be answered is: What are the factors influencing JS of nurses in a university hospital in S.A.? Research Question and Objectives After reviewing comprehensively the relevant literature for the purpose of this research, it has been revealed that several factors are associated with nurses’ JS. Although the factors influencing nurses JS have been extensively studied worldwide, limited evidence exists about the factors affecting nurses’ JS in S.A. In this research the question to be answered is: What are the factors influencing JS of nurses in a university hospital in S.A.? The purpose of the study must be clear in order to make it easy for the reader to understand; according to Locke et al (1987) the purpose statement should provide “a specific and accurate synopsis of the overall purpose of the study”. The aim of this study is to measure nurses’ JS in S.A. within a teaching hospital setting. Several factors will be measured such as demographic, practice related, and professional related. The objectives of this study are: To identify JS levels and their causes. To examine to what extent nurses in S.A. in a university hospital are satisfied with their jobs. To determine the factors that increase or decrease the level of JS. To explore the relationship between the factors that affect JS. To provide suggestions for policy makers and managers to improve delivery of care by increasing JS among nurses in S.A. Methodology Introduction The purpose of this section is to present a detailed methodology that will answer the research question. Formulation of Hypotheses For this research study the dependent variable is JS, and the independent variables are demography, practice related factors, and professional related factors, therefore, some hypothesis can be generated. The personal related hypotheses are: H1o: There is no relationship between nurses’ JS and age group. H1A: There is a relationship between nurses’ JS and age group. H2o: There is no relationship between nurses’ JS and gender. H2A: There is a relationship between nurses’ JS and gender. The practice related hypotheses are: H3o: There is no relationship between nurses’ JS and workload. H3A: There is a relationship between nurses’ JS and workload. H4o: There is no relationship between nurses’ JS and working schedules. H4A: There is a relationship between nurses’ JS and working schedules. H5o: There is no relationship between nurses’ JS and pay. H5A: There is a relationship between nurses’ JS and pay. The professional hypotheses are: H6o: There is no relationship between nurses’ JS and experience. H6A: There is a relationship between nurses’ JS and experience. H7o: There is no relationship between nurses’ JS and position. H7A: There is a relationship between nurses’ JS and position. H8o: There is no relationship between nurses’ JS and education group. H8A: There is a relationship between nurses’ JS and education group. Research Design Types of Investigation For this research study quantitative research analysis has to be chosen. In quantitative research the aim is to determine the relationship between one variable i.e. an independent variable, and another i.e. dependent variable in a population. Study Setting The study will be held in a university hospital in the Eastern Province of S.A in a non contrived setting. This correlation study will be conducted with normal flow of work in the natural environment of the organization, with minimal interference by the researcher. In this study, the researcher’s involvement will only to clarify any doubt about the questions when administering the questionnaires to the nurses. Unit of Analysis According to Polit, Beck (2006) the unit of analysis is the basic unit or focus of an analysis; typically the individual study participant. For this research, the unit of analysis is the nurses working in a teaching hospital. Time Horizon In order to answer the research question, the data will be collected over a period of 8-10 weeks from March to April. Data with respect to this project had not been collected before, nor will be collected again from the participants for the purpose of this research. This type of research is known as cross sectional or one shot (Sekaran, 2003). Sampling Design and Size A survey involves gathering information regarding the activities, beliefs, preferences, and attitudes of people via direct questioning (Polit, Beck, 2006). Normally a survey requires studying a large number of subjects drawn from a defined population (Neill, 2003). Population is defined as the entire group of people, events or things of interest that the research wishes to investigate (Sekaran, 2003). To select a sample for any project two aspects should be considered: first, the characteristics the participants should have; second, the number of participants. In order to be able to generalize the results from a specific population a representative sample is an essential aspect (Carter, 1997). The sample size for the current study will be taken according to the sample size table for a given population size (Sekaran, 2003:294) Data Collection Data can be obtained through primary and secondary sources (Sekaran, 2003). In this research project, primary data were collected by a personally administered questionnaire. The secondary data were obtained through a strategy mentioned below. Secondary Data Collection (Search strategy) According to Sekaran (2003) literature survey is the documentation of a comprehensive review of the published and unpublished work from the secondary sources of data in areas of specific interest to the researcher (Sekaran, 2003). In this study the literature review will be obtained through a search in books, journals, previous dissertations and using electronic journals (JAMA, British Journal of Nursing, The Journal Nursing Administration, Research In Nursing and Health, Journal of Nursing Management, Academy of management Journal, International Journal of Nursing Studies) and databases of the University of Surrey library (Science Direct, Midline via Ovid, Emerald-Library.com, EBSCO). Other Electronic search engines were used like "Google" and "Look smart". The search terms are (Job satisfaction, work satisfaction), and only studies that related to factors affecting JS and theories of JS will be selected. The search terms will be elaborated by adding the words nurses, registered nurse, sister, head nurse, teaching hospital. Primary Data Collection (Questionnaire) Questionnaire Organisation The questionnaire in this research will consist of two main parts. Part one will include the JSS on a six point Likert Scale. Part two will cover the demographic data which are: age, gender, and nationality. In addition, number of children, position, the number of working years, qualification degree, pay, number of nurses’ working in the same ward or department, number of patients handled, working hours, working schedule, preferred shift and involvement in extra duties such as teaching nursing student or research, and the idea about working full-time or part-time. Summary of the Research Plan Phase Activity Completion Date Literature Review Undertake preliminary literature search. January /February 2011 Methodology Writing Methodology chapter Distribution & Collection of Questionnaires March 2011 March/April 2011 Data Analysis Analysis Of Primary Data May 2011 Discussion, Conclusion and recommendations Compare and discuss primary and secondary findings. Writing Conclusion and recommendations June 2011 Data Analysis In this project the data analysis will be done by the assistance of a software programme, the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 15.0. In order to analyze data there are four steps the researcher should carry out. First, preparing the data with an aim of it being ready for analysis. Second, acquiring a feel for the data. This will be done by measuring central tendency and dispersion. Analysis of the nominal scale (Demographic section) will be obtained from the descriptive statistics. The calculation will be done through the frequency distribution for demographic variables such as the mean and standard deviation. Inferential statistics (i.e. Pearson correlation) will be used to test correlation between general JS and nine facets of the sub scale, which is suitable for interval scales. The third step will be testing the goodness of data. This will be obtained through the previously calculated reliability and validity of the existing scale. Finally, testing the hypotheses generated in this study, which will be performed by using independent sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The confidence intervals will be adjusted at 95%. Ethical and Confidential Considerations Ethics in the field of research are defined as a code of conduct or expected societal norm of behaviour while conducting research (Sekaran, 2003). The ethical behaviour passes through each step of research process starting from data collection, analysis and to reporting dissemination of information. In this research, no personal identity will be asked. Confidentiality of the data will also be guaranteed. In addition, an approval letter of permission will be taken from the medical, the nursing directors in the teaching hospital and the Ministry of higher education. That is to prove that the writer is a nurse and currently conducting research to ensure access to the hospital, and to the nurses. The Field Work The data were collected from 1st March to 30th April; it took ten weeks to complete. The duration to complete the questionnaire by each nurse was twenty minutes, as the pilot test had shown. Each nurse received an envelope enclosed with a questionnaire to ensure confidentiality. A front page was attached requesting participation in the study was also enclosed. In addition, attempts were made to meet all non respondents face to face after the first shot in order to establish the reasons why they had not participated in the research. References Carter, D.C. (1997) Doing Quantitative Psychological Research: From Design to Report. Hove: Psychology Press. Chopra, D. (1991) Creating Health: How to Wake Up The Body’s Intelligence. Hongton Mifflin Company, Boston, New York. Kovach, K. (1987) ‘What Motivates Employees? Workers and Supervisors Give Different Answers’ Business Horizons. 30/5: pp. 1970-2000. Locke, E.A. and Henne, D. (1987) ‘Work motivation theories’ in Cooper C.L. and Robertson I.T. (eds.) International Review of Industrial and Organizational Psychology. pp. 1-35. Chichester, U.K: John Wiley. Neill, J. (2003) Analysis of Professional Literature: Quantitative Research Design: Experimental, Quasi-Experimental and Non-Experimental. Viewed 16/7/2007. http:// www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/grizzly/432/rra2.htm Polit, D.F. Beck, C.B. (2006) Essentials of nursing research : methods, appraisal, and utilization. 6th Ed, Philadelphia; London: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Rose, M. (2005) ‘Job Satisfaction in Britain: Coping with Complexities’ British Journal of Industrial Relations. 4/3: pp. 455-467 Sekaran, U. (2003) Research Methods for Business: a Skill-building Approach. 4th Ed, New York: Wiley. WHO. Constitution of the World Health Organization , Geneva, 1946. Accessed October 30, 2006. 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