The Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods - Assignment Example

The Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods 0 Quantitative Methods Content Analysis The researcher, Aronoff (1975), endeavored to track the increase of the behavioral perspective from 1910 to 1974 as far as the discipline of management is concerned. The researcher used content analysis approach to trace the increase of the behavioral perspective in the field of management (Aronoff, 1975). However, in order to attain the objective of finding out the increasingly influence of the behavioral sciences in a period of 64 years, the researcher analyzed twenty-eight general management published textbooks as from 1910 to 1974. The findings of the researcher established a strong positive relationship between the frequency behavioral perspective terms and time. The researcher used the content analysis method to trace the relationship between the behavioral perspective in management and time (from 1910 and 1974). Given the fact that the content analysis demands for an objective and quantitative description of the communication content, initially, the researcher selected the sample of communication; in this respect, the researcher chose 28 published books, and selected paragraphs, sentences, phrases and words that matched with the behavioral perspective terms as mentioned in the objective categories of the researcher. The additional steps called for coding of the communication sample on the objective categories, the evaluation of the data using SSSP (Social Sciences Scattergram program) and the interpretation of the data (Aronoff, 1975). Arinoff (1975) carried a systematic analysis as far as researching on the correlation between the frequency of the behavioral management terms and time is concerned. The researcher understood that the communication content should be converted to quantity in order to measure the influence of the behavioral sciences over time. According to the researcher, it is important to establish the objective categories since it enables a researcher to code the communication samples. For instance, in the category of human relations, the researcher assigned the White’s (1926) seven while Dutton (1927) was assigned two. The preceding coding denotes ensures that the use of the behavioral terms is coded easily to provide quantitative data which is examined and interpreted accurately (Arinoff, 1975). As a result, the use of the content analysis with respect to communication, especially in media, is crucial as far as a quantitative research is concerned. Correlation Carless, S. (2004) carried out a study to test a model that psychological empowerment was hypothesized to mediate the association between the psychological climate and job contentment. The researcher incorporated one-hundred and seventy-four customer service workers in the research. The results established that empowerment mediated the correlation between climate and job contentment; in this respect, the aspects of competence and meaning were highly associated with the mediating effects of empowerment. In order to find out the mediation effect of empowerment on the association between climate and job satisfaction, the researcher chose to correlation analysis method. The correlation analysis method began with the distribution of questionnaires to two-hundred and eighty customer service workers working in call centers; however, the samples used were associated with 174 employees who completed filling the questionnaires. After sampling, the researcher formulated measures that would be used to evaluate the mediation effect of psychological empowerment on the relationship between job satisfaction and climate. The researcher used the generic version of Wearing, Conn, Hart and Dingle’s climate scale. The climate scale is associated with seven subscales (Carless, 2004). The correlation analysis is important given the fact that it identifies the degree of relationship between two or more variables via a certain scale. For instance, the generic version of Wearing, Conn, Hart, Dingle and Carter’s climate scale, which is divided into seven sub-sections, showed the strength of various aspects. The Linkert scale, which is used for the response purposes, provides a chance show the level of agreement or disagreement on a scale of 1 to 5 (Carless, 2004). The scales provided an opportunity to measure the degree of correlation. The correlation analysis is important as far as identifying, the type of relationship and the strength of correlation between two or more variables are concerned. Evaluative Galyon, Blondin and Williams (2012) carried out a research on the relationship between the academic self-efficacy and the performance and participation in class discussion on a number of major course examinations amongst the students who were pursing the human development course. The researcher carried out the research among one-hundred and sixty-five students. While carrying out the research, the researcher categorized three levels of academic self-efficacy based on cluster analysis, high, moderate and low. The results indicated that all types of the self-efficacy significantly predicted the level of a learner engagement and performance in examination. However, the directionality of the placement of the group on the academic measurements was different among learners at different level of the self-efficacy levels. Additionally, the results showed that learners in three predetermined groups of GPA (high, medium and low point grade) neither differed significantly in self-efficacy nor in class participation; however, the three groups of learners differed significantly in class performance. The self-efficacy was least related to the performance in examination and class participation at the lowest level of GPA (Galyon, Blondin, & Williams, 2012). The researcher involved 165 participants in the study; the participants include freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students (Galyon, Blondin, & Williams, 2012). The survey used was associated seven Likert scale items. Each item assessed a different aspect relating to the course, such as memorization. The researcher collected the data via a demographic in which the students were required to fill the survey prior to the start of the course. With respect to participation, the data was collected via observation. The evaluation method helps to measure, analyze and interpret the results with an in-depth understanding. The use of cluster analysis to categorize different levels of self-efficacy and GPA provides a chance to have an in-depth understanding of the relationship between self-efficacy and performance and participation in class. Experimental Nalbantian and Schotter (2010) endeavored to examine a number of group incentive programs; the researcher found out interesting results. For instance, it was recognized that history matters; the performance of workers in a certain incentive scheme is dependent on that group history under the preceding scheme. On the other hand, the relative performance schemes were established to outperform the target-based systems. Additionally, monitoring was found to influence a high level of effort from employees; however, the level of monitoring should be high which calls for significant costs. Nalbantian and Schotter (2010) assessed a variety of the group incentive formulae by running a group of nine different experiments; the researchers used four-hundred and eight students who were recruited in 12 groups. The students were encouraged to go to an experimental computer laboratory for an experiment. However, the students were encouraged to go the laboratory after being provided $3; as a result, the students were likely to participate in an experiment which lasted for one hour. A number of other experiments were run to evaluate diverse group incentive formulae. The experimental analysis is likely to provide accurate results relative to other methods due the actual experimentation of various data; the evaluation of various data established is likely to be more accurate than the past data. A large number of the population is likely to yield to reliable results; in this respect, four-hundred and eight samples used by Nalbantian and Schotter (2010) was adequate to provide reliable information. Randomization that was generated in nine groups also enables the computation of highly reliable results. 2.0 Qualitative Methods Biographical Study Lips-Wiersma, M. (2001) carried a participative psycho-biographical study which attempted to evaluated the impact of spirituality on a career behavior. The results of the research showed spirituality has effect on sense-making, career purpose and coherence. According to the research, spirituality influences unity among individuals, the self-expression developing and becoming self and serving other persons. Due to the need of accessing the meanings of career, a number of theorists suggested the use of biographical-hermeneutic perspective to assess the career development. However, the researcher used the psycho-biographical analysis. In this respect, the participants of the research were required to analyze and conceptualize the data. The biographical analysis ensures that a research is not carried out on the participants; the research is carried out with the participants. The research included eight participants in the study; they aged between forty and fifty years. Research interviews were used to collect data on a period of three years; participants from different nationalities provided their career history. With respect to the data analysis, the content analysis of five steps was used to evaluate the history of a career (Lips-Wiersma, 2001). The use of interview is important as far as the biographical analysis is concerned. However, unstructured interview is embraced as opposed to the structured interview. The reason for choosing in this analysis is to ensure that an intensive account of the career history and spirituality is taken into consideration. This method calls for an in-depth understanding; as a result, the asking of different questions is fundamental; the use of interview in this analysis is crucial. Case Study Paquay (2014) carried out a research on the behavior of men from childhood to adulthood as far as relationships and attachments are concerned. The study found out men who are associated with insecure relationships and attachments with their caregivers were likely to face future hardships. Behavioral, mental health and domestic abuse aspects are likely to arise due to insecure relationship. However, the author argues that a continuous domestic abuse programs between the abused and abusers, as well as programs for young persons may assist in the reduction of the prospect domestic abuse. Paquay (2014) evaluates a number of case studies to evaluate the abusive behaviors that are demonstrated men as far as relationships and attachments are concerned. For instance, one of the case studies reveal that the borderline and dysphoric type of men are likely to engage in a modest to extreme abuse of a wife; the abuse may include the sexual and psychosomatic mistreatment. Another different case shows about twenty and twenty-five percent of women have been physically battered by their partners. The same case study shows that ninety-five percent of domestic violence is caused by male individuals. The case studies are crucial due to the fact that they highlight unexpected behaviors in the society. The highlighting of such behaviors is important given the fact it can motivate researchers to carry out a research which may result in different outcome from the established theories. For instance, a further research may reveal that men who are associated with insecure relationships are likely to change their abusive behaviors without necessarily attending the abuse programs. However, it is notable that case studies are likely to be unreliable since various judgments are likely to be subjective. Ethnographical Study Saveriades and Christou (2008) carried out a research t evaluate the ethnographical analysis as an approach of thoroughly investigating the tourist satisfaction. Following an examination of the ethnographical approach, the scholar concluded that the ethnographical analysis is effective given that it would help to shed into the new psychological aspects that are associated with tourists. While evaluating whether other methods are suitable in evaluating the tourists psychological phenomena, the researcher reaffirmed that ethnographical approach is best method of thoroughly assessing the satisfaction of tourists. The methodology applied when carrying out the ethnographic analysis includes the employment of observations, chats and interviews; the interviews are expected to be unstructured in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the tourist contentment or other aspects under investigation. The use of conversations is meant to provide an interactive environment. The length of study is relatively long relative to other methods; it may include one year Saveriades, & Christou, 2008). The lengthy period allows the researcher to interact significantly with the being researched in order to allow the respondents to be at easy and natural at an interview; however, the period may be short in a number of circumstances. Pen, field note, audio recorder and video recorder can be used to record the data; nevertheless, the data should be recorded immediately it is accessed. The use of ethnographic approach is significantly associated with a high level of thoroughness as far as investigation is concerned due to the use of unstructured interviews and lengthy time of data collection and analysis. It is suitable approach when studying the social interactions, perceptions and behaviors. Phenomenological Study Daniluk and Mills (2002) carried out a research to find out whether dance therapy contributed to personal growth and curing. The results suggested that counseling professionals should take into consideration play and fun as a way of physical, sexual and healthy healing process besides psychological support (counseling). The participants of the research method were needed to have engaged in a group or individual dance therapy which was facilitated by a dance therapist who is certified. The respondents were required to explain and describe their individual and group experiences in a manner that would lend a hand in revealing the fundamental nature of the dance therapy aspect. The researcher incorporated the results of participants who described the dance therapy as a helpful factor in healing or personal growth. Additionally, the respondents were required to have finished not less than six sessions with respect to the dance therapy. Furthermore, the participants were required to have finished the dance therapy in a minimum of one year. On the other hand, a limit of five years since an individual or group finished the dance therapy was established. The researcher used unstructured interviews to collect the data. Listening to audio and video recorded data and paying attention to specific words and phrases was the most suitable manner of analyzing the research by the researcher (Daniluk, & Mills, 2002). Individuals that are associated with a high level of interest as far as a certain factor is concerned are likely to provide a rich data; the rich data is crucial for the phenomenological evaluation. Since the phenomenal study relies on experience, the minimum period of one year since the completion of the dance enables the participant to enable the assimilation of adequate experience was crucial. Additionally, the maximum time established since the last time of participation in a certain aspect was crucial since it enables the respondents to recall a number of experiences. References Aronoff, C. (1975). The Rise of the Behavioral Perspective in Selected General Management Textbooks: An Empirical Investigation through Content Analysis. Academy of Management Journal, 18(4), 753-767. Carless, S. (2004). Does Psychological Empowerment Mediate the Relationship between Psychological Climate and Job Satisfaction? Journal of Business and Psychology, 18(4), 405-421. Daniluk, C., & Mills, J. (2002). Her Body Speaks: the Experience of Dance Therapy for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse. Journal of Counseling and Developing, 80(1), 1-14. Galyon, E., Blondin, C., & Williams, R. (2012). The Relationship of Academic Self-efficacy to Class Participation and Exam Performance. Soc Psychol Educ, 15, 223-249. Lips-Wiersma, M. (2001). The Influence of Spiritual “Meaning-Making” on Career Behavior. Journal of Management Development, 21(7), 497-518. Nalbantian, R., & Schotter, A. (2010). Productivity Under Group Incentives: Experimental Study. American Economic Association, 87(3), 314-341. Paquay, J. (2014). Early Attachment and Domestic Abusers. The Faculty of the Adler Graduate School, 4-61. Saveriades, A., & Christou, P. (2008). Investigating Tourist Satisfaction through Ethnography: A Methodological Approach. Cyprus University of Technology, 1(1), 1-9. Read More