Research Methodology

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.0 Introduction
Research methodology gives evidence that helps the investigator to assess the
acceptability or trustworthiness of the results (Oliver, 2004). In this chapter,
the researcher examines the methodological standpoints on which the whole
study is fixed. The researcher discusses why the positivist (research
philosophy), quantitative research approach, descriptive research design, data
generation tools, sampling methods and data analysis methods employed were
deemed best suited to provide answers to the main research problem identified
at the start of the study. It also justifies the issue of reliability, validity and
ethical considerations observed in the study.
3.1 Research Paradigm / Philosophy
A research paradigm is a global view of a subject that consists of its underlying

philosophy and the assumptions inherent in that view (Welman et al, 2005).
Swetnam and Swetnam (2009) further emphasise the preceding views by
indicating that, a research paradigm is an intellectual device that contains a
scholar’s beliefs and assumptions about the real world, the part and the
evidence; her or his views to theory and data and the questions he or she
pursues. A studies philosophy is a belief approximately the manner in which
facts about a phenomenon should be amassed, analysed and used (Creswell,
2006). Two major studies philosophies that can be labelled into the western
way of life technological know-how are positivism or scientific and interpretivist
or anti – positivist (Bak, 2004). This study is guided by the positivist research
paradigm.
3.1.1 Positivism
The idea of positivism is at once related to the idea of objectivism (Bartlett and
Mercer, 2001). Positivism is a research philosophy that makes use of numerical
records and it includes hypotheses checking out to reap “objective” fact
(Creswell, 2006). Consistent with this philosophy researchers are interested to
accumulate information from a bigger social sample as opposed to focusing
details of studies. Rudestan and Newton (2007) this research philosophy is
related to quantitative information collection techniques and statistical
analysis.
3.1.2 Justification for positivism
Positivism was relevant to this study for the following four reasons which are
going to be discussed together with their relevant literature. Firstly, positivism
is good for research projects that are descriptive in nature (Cohen et al, 2007)
and this align with this study, which is descriptive in nature. Secondly,
positivism allows the researcher to identify and quantify the element parts of
any phenomena: the ‘what’ aspects of research (Judd et al, 1991). Thus,
generalization of the research findings was done based on a sample of seventy
employees. Thirdly, positivism allows the researcher to collect reliable and
authentic data. Reliability keeps consistency, dependence and replicability in
its information collection (Robinson, 2004). On this inquiry a questionnaire,
become used as a dependable device because it will yield comparable records
from similar respondents over time. Fourthly, positivism lets in the researcher
to preserve validity of the research findings (Theobald, 1991). On this observe
validity was mantained via careful sampling, appropriate instrumentation and
suitable statistical treatments of the records.
3.2 Research approach
Research approach refers the philosophy of the studies; which include the
rules and values that serve as a purpose for studies and standards or
standards the researcher uses for interpreting statistics and attaining
conclusions (Thomas, 2009). Research approaches are sometimes viewed as
similar to research paradigms. There are three research approaches, also
referred to as paradigms which are commonly used, namely: Quantitative,
Qualitative and Mixed methods (Judd et al, 1991). The last mentioned is often
referred to as triangulation by scholars. This study is guided by the
quantitative research approach.
3.2.1 Quantitative research approach
Quantitative research technique is a proper, goal, systematic procedure in

which numerical data are exploited to acquire data about the world (Bartlett
and Mercer, 2001). This research technique is used to: (1) define variables (2)
to observe relationships amongst variables and (3) to determine object and
impact interactions between variables (Bark, 2004)). Thus quantitative
research uses numbers and statistics. The focus in this type of research is on
the control of all components, actions and presentations of the participants.
Thus the focus is on the variables (Theobald, 1991). A variable is a component
of the phenomenon that is being studied (Creswell, 1996).
3.2.2 Justification for quantitative approach
Quantitative approach was relevant to this study for the following four reasons
which are going to be discussed together with their relevant literature. Firstly,
a quantitative approach was adopted because of the need to reach out to a
wide population consisting of top management, senior managers, skilled and
professionals and semi-skilled employees.
This allows better accuracy whilst trying to create generalizations

approximately the problem involved. The structure of quantitative studies lets
in for broader research to take place (Robinson, 2004). Secondly, quantitative
research has the advantage that findings can be generalised to a larger
populace so long as valid sampling and importance techniques had been used
(Oliver, 2004). Quantitative approach allows the researcher to quantify the
findings from a sample of seventy employees. Thirdly, quantitative procedure
gives dependable and continual statistics; quantitative study authenticates
itself by providing stable results when the identical records factors are tested
underneath randomized conditions (Swetnam and Swetnam, 2009). The study
was executed through a survey using structured questionnaires to hold
reliability. Finally, the samples of quantitative examination are randomised;
quantitative research uses a randomized procedure to accumulate statistics,
stopping bias from moving into the facts (Welman, 2005).
3.3 Research design
Research is a plan or approach which move from the fundamental

philosophical norms to postulating the choice of respondents, the
measurements amassing techniques for use and the statistics analysis to be
done (Theobald, 1991). It may consequently be argued that the research layout
is a scientific arrangement of techniques and methods used at some point of
the study, and set the good judgment through which researchers make
interpretations at the end of their research to keep away from a haphazard
approach. The studies layout constitutes the blueprint or shape for the
collection, dimension and evaluation of data. Robinson (2004) gave four
research designs on the researcher’s idea which are descriptive or survey, case
study at, correlation and experimental. This study is guided via the survey
research layout.
3.3.1 Survey or descriptive research design
Chiromo (2006) asserts that a survey includes a study of confined variety of

cases with a view of drawing up conclusions that cover the generality of the
institution underneath assessment. It involves drawing conclusions
approximately the population based on a pattern and this is normally known
as descriptive survey. In step with Saunders et al (2009) the subsequent are
the characteristics of the survey research design: First, survey studies are the
fine technique in collecting original facts for functions of describing a
population larger sufficient to have a study at. Second, it's far generally used to
reply who, what, wherein, how lots and how questions which might be usually
asked in descriptive studies. Third, sampling is the lynchpin of descriptive
survey. The researcher selects a pattern and asks questions. The solutions to
the questions are then regarded as describing the critiques, attitudes, and
etcetera of the whole populace from which entire pattern. Fourth, it is used to
acquire information on social and behavioural variables and the relationship
between these variables. Fifth, it is a vehicle for the measurement of attitudes,
beliefs and evaluations. Sixth, most important strategies of information
collection are questionnaires, interviews, tests and observations.

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Paradigm / Philosophy

A research paradigm is a global view of a subject that consists of its underlying

3.1.2 Justification for positivism

3.2 Research approach

3.2.1 Quantitative research approach

Quantitative research technique is a proper, goal, systematic procedure in

3.2.2 Justification for quantitative approach

This allows better accuracy whilst trying to create generalizations

3.3 Research design

Research is a plan or approach which move from the fundamental

3.3.1 Survey or descriptive research design

Chiromo (2006) asserts that a survey includes a study of confined variety of

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