Research Methods - Assignment Example

STS11131 Research Methods Assignment Critical Review Paper A Habir, A. D., & Larasati, A. B. (1999). Human resource management as competitive advantage in the new millennium - An Indonesian perspective. International Journal of Manpower , 548 – 562. Paper B Khandekar, A., & Sharma, A. (2005). Managing human resource capabilities for sustainable competitive advantage- An empirical analysis from Indian global. Education and Training , 628 – 639. 1. Summarise the main purpose and findings of each paper (approximately 100 words for each paper) Paper A Summary The research method used here for this study is a secondary or desk study. The main purpose of the research is to identify human resources as a competitive advantage in the new millennium. Here the author has used a desk study based on which it has been found based on the case study that the author has focused on the topic but has not focused on the most appropriate method for the research. The research technique used here is not as effective and the overall findings of the paper clearly lack in terms of reliability and validity. Paper B Summary The second paper uses the primary research. Here the authors have used a quantitative research for the study and a total of around 300 responses have been got for the research. The focus has been on the Indian organisations. The findings clearly show a major link and co relationship between human resource capabilities and the organisational performance. The researcher however has been able to effectively gain responses and the findings are relatively more reliable and valid as compared to the previous research. 2. Identify the research methodology adopted for each paper and whether it was primary or secondary-based research Research Methodology Used Primary or Secondary-Based Paper A The methodology uses a case study approach. Here the author has chosen three case studies to complete the research Secondary Research Paper B The methodology used here includes a survey with three hundred people. Primary Research 3. For each of your papers, identify the main sources of data/information. Primary Research Secondary Research Paper A Population/Data set(s) Case Studies of the three companies Sources of information Direct company information Sample Used Three mini case studies Sampling Method(s) Used No clear sampling method has been provided in the case. The research simply includes studying the companies individually and to use the data collected to find the results of the study. Paper B Population/Data set(s) Random sampling of 300 line managers Sources of information Line Managers and human resource managers Sample Used Line Managers and human resource managers for nine Indian and global companies Sampling Method(s) Used Two stages were adopted here for the sampling. In the first stage three Indian companies and six foreign companies where chosen. In the second stage the incomplete questionnaires of the first stage were resent and an attempt to get the responses was made. This sampling method is not very clear and although the authors explain that the research included the two stages, the second stage does not seem to be complete and requires more attention for better sampling. 4. Identify the data collection and data analysis methods used in each paper Data Collection Methods Data Analysis Methods Paper A The data collection method here in this paper is based on case studies and on secondary data. There has not been any clear data collection for the research which causes the biggest drawback here. Although secondary research can prove to be very effective in other researches, here in this case with the aims and objectives of the research, the method is not an efficient manner and needs changes. Analysis has been conducted based on the secondary data found. This however cannot be recognised to be most effective manner as it merely relies on views and research data of other authors and does not contribute to the field of study as effectively as it could have. Here the analysis is merely rephrasing of the views of the other researchers (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2000) Paper B This research paper focuses on an effective data collection method for the paper. The authors have carefully planned and picked their research methods and the method adopted here allows the researcher to gain the answers to the objectives (Sekaran, 2000). However there is major scope for improvement here and the research can be proved to be much more effective if the data collection is a part of the data triangulation. The data has been analysed using SPSS and there have also been a number of statistical methods like regressions. This can prove to be a very effective method as it permits the researches to provide substantial evidences for the research. Analysis has clearly been completed based on the SPSS as well as a through check of the field and the topic. Analysis is well rounded with a focus on all aspects of the field. 5. Assess the appropriateness of the research methods (for both data collection and data analysis) used in each paper, drawing on relevant research methods literature to support your assessment. Paper A The research method adopted for this research can be classified to be a medium fit method. There is a high need for more focused research in the area and using three case studies does not seem to be the most effective and most appropriate method. This research would prove to be more beneficial if it followed a quantitative research along with a qualitative research as it would allow more focused approach to the study (Maxwell, 1992). Also, the results could be more reliable and valid if this approach was to be adopted as it would focus on both the qualitative and quantitative research. The appropriateness of the research method here can be assessed to be low. This is mainly because the study clearly requires more focused and better research methods including qualitative and quantitative, to bring out more reliable and valid results. Here with the current research technique used, the reliability of the research cannot be considered to be accurate and there is also a high need for data and information that can prove the validity of the research as well. Paper B The authors have used a detailed research method and have attempted to gain as many responses from the line managers and the human resource managers. However using a survey research and a triangulation will prove to be a more effective method here in the study as, “Triangulation can overcome the potential bias and sterility of a single-method approach.” (Hussey & Hussey, 1997, p4). A triangulation method will prove to provide the research with a well rounded result and will prove to be more reliable and valid. Hence triangulation will prove to be most effective here for the research and will also lead to provide the readers with a focused and trustworthy research as well. Triangulation in simple terms is a method of reinforcing the points that have been found in one method and ensuring all methods lead to similar answers thereby making the response insightful and reliable as well. Considering the second paper, the research method adopted here can clearly be recognised to be a fit to the study, however conducting a triangulation will prove to make the research results more reliable and valid. 6. Identify the reliability and validity issues for each of your chosen papers. Did the authors address these issues effectively? Again make use of relevant research methods literature to support your answers. Paper A Conducting a research involves a lot of work and requires good planning before executing the research. In the first case, the research is convincing however there is a clear lack of reliability and validity of the research. It is essential for this research that the paper is focused on the validity and reliability (Mathison, 1988). However the author has not paid complete attention to the same and the research clearly lacks enough evidence for it to be considered to be reliable and valid. The concept of validity of qualitative research has been defined as, ‘..a contingent construct, inescapably grounded in the processes and intentions of particular research methodologies and projects’ (Winter, 2000, p.1). Maxwell (1992) argues that validity is a goal rather than a product. This goal encounters some threats which are made by evidence, not methods. Here the authors have focused on a very small sample to be able to achieve reliable and valid results. As also seen the study includes three case studies and this has been identified to be the average of the Indonesian companies. This cannot be a valid and reliable result as every company and industry has a different needs and approaches and it cannot be very accurate to general the results. Paper B The second research also clearly needs to have reliable and valid results and in order to do so the authors have focused on completing the research with evidence and proper participation. However the research question calls the need for a research triangulation to make the research more reliable and valid. In dealing with validity threats Maxwell (1992) argues that researchers usually consider these threats as particular events or processes, rather than as generic variables. Here there is a higher need to focus on the areas without the appropriate evidences and to work on those to help make the research and findings much stronger as well as to help make the finding reliable and valid. 7. Compare and contrast the approaches adopted to the topic in your chosen papers. Again make use of relevant research methods literature to support your answer here. The researchers have both utilised different methods of research for their studies. Before comparing the two it is essential to also focus on the research paradigm, which refers to “your basic beliefs” and also the approach towards the targeted audiences and how the data is collected and analysed (Collis & Hussey, 2003, p. 47). The research approaches that can be used in studies comprise of a mixture of both the “phenomenological paradigm” which is also referred to as a “qualitative” approaches and the “positivistic paradigm” also known as the “quantitative” approach (Collis & Hussey, 2003, p. 47). Considering each of the researches here it is essential to note that both the authors have focused on adopting the methods effectively for the research. The authors have focused providing the readers with complete and well rounded researches. However after careful analysis of both the studies, it can clearly be noted that the second research has been able to ore effectively provide a more rounded research. Also, although the research method could have been more effective, i.e. use of research triangulation, the researchers have been able to provide a rounded research. Comparatively of the two studies, the second research is relatively more positive and well rounded and is more focused on the topic. The authors have worked hard towards development of the research and the research has worked towards clear areas of reliability and validity and the authors have taken into account all aspects of the ethical areas of the research (Eisenhart, Margaret and Howe, Kenneth, 1992). The first research however clearly lacks the right and effective form of research adopted for the topic and area of study. The research lacks a good linkage and strong background to the research chosen. The research method chosen here is a secondary one with major focus on the mini case studies of the companies. However the authors have not focused on more effective manners of finding the objectives of the research, like the incorporation of quantitative research to gain ore accurate and valid data for the paper. 8. What ethical issues are associated with each of your chosen papers? Did the authors address these issues effectively? Paper A The ethical issues in this case are minimal. The authors have focused more on a secondary research, which reduces the ethical issues of the research. It is essential to note that the human interaction in this form of research is reduced and hence the ethical aspects of the research are also relatively much lower (Collis & Hussey, 2003). Paper B The second paper involves a higher number of respondents, which in turn increases the chances of any ethical issues. Here it is essential to note that the main ethical issue that can be faced is inappropriate manner of dealing with the respondent. For instance the survey includes getting in touch with foreign global companies. Here the researcher is faced with high levels of ethical issues. 9. Do the papers contribute to the topic area in any way? Explain why the papers do or do not contribute to the topic area. Paper A The paper does contribute a great deal to the topic. The author has put in great efforts to complete the paper. The topic is one which requires a great deal of research and requires more practical examples of companies. Considering these facts the research is a major contributor to the field and helps in better development of the topic and the area as a whole (Berry, 2004). Paper B This paper is a major contributor to the research field. The authors have focused on the right target audiences and have effectively provided detailed the research areas and have effectively carried out the research with a wide range of respondents (Berry, 2004). There is clarity in the research and there is clearly a good link both to the literature as well as the data collected for the research. The authors have provided a well blended research which helps in contributing to the field to a great extent. Bibliography Berry, R. (2004) The Research Project. 5th edn. New York: Routledge. Collis, J. & Hussey, R. (2003) Business Research: A practical guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students. 2nd edn. London: Macmillan Press Ltd. Eisenhart, Margaret A. and Howe, Kenneth R. (1992) Validity in Educational Research, in Margaret, D. LeCompte, Wendy L. Millroy, Judith Preissle (eds) The Handbook of Qualitative Research in Education, San Diego, The Academic Press, pp.643-80 Habir, A. D., & Larasati, A. B. (1999). Human resource management as competitive advantage in the new millennium - An Indonesian perspective. International Journal of Manpower , 548 – 562. Khandekar, A., & Sharma, A. (2005). Managing human resource capabilities for sustainable competitive advantage- An empirical analysis from Indian global. Education and Training , 628 – 639. Mathison, S. Why Triangulate?, (1988) Educational Researcher, 17(2), pp.13-17 Maxwell, J. A. (1992) Understanding and Validity in Qualitative Research, Harvard Educational Review, 62 (3), Fall, pp.279-300. Maxwell, J.A., (1996). Qualitative Research Design. An Interactive Approach, Thousand Oaks, Sage, pp.86-98 Saunders, M. & Lewis, P. & Thornhill, A. (2000) Research Methods for Business Students. 2nd edn. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited. Sekaran, U. (2000) Research Methods for Business, A Skill-Building Approach. 3rd edn. New York: John Wiley & Sons Inc. Read More