Methods of Enquiry - Report Example

METHODS OF ENQUIRY Introduction The aim of the report is to demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of the concepts and principles on the Methods of Enquiry. As a manager in a very large multi-site firm it is important to evaluate the parameters of “employee well-being” (e.g. satisfaction with the job, morale, working environment and firm) is really like, furthermore, why it appears to vary between different sites, as per the Board of Directors instruction. As a result, it is required to prepare a proposal for the authorities to present a case to the Board to address their concerns of the many different research methods for the task and recommend, which approach or approaches, should be used and why. Qualitative research A Qualitative method of study differs from the usual quantitative methods (used in the study of pure sciences) in the sense that it tends to be far more subjective. This is in sharp contrast to the methods used in pure sciences which are exclusively objective. The research methods for marketing are a combination of both quantitative and qualitative methods. Being open to qualitative methods of study also allows social scientists to incorporate non-quantitative data (i.e. non-numerical data, such as words, images, gestures, impressions etc.) in their study. Since human beings tend to operate in terms of such data and not in terms of the terminology used in ordinary sciences this broader outlook is far more applicable in the study of social sciences. In keeping with the methodology employed in marketing researches the theories too are formulated and used keeping in mind that they are not necessarily applicable to all conditions. Be it psychology, history, political science or economics human events are most likely to influence the rules which define the basic theories of a marketing subject. Success in the field of marketing researches can therefore be achieved if and only if it is understood that the subject has no space or opportunity for watertight methodologies or theories. (Lamb, 2004) The basic advantages of qualitative measures are multi-fold. Firstly, it presents a completely realistic approach that the statistical analysis and numerical data used in research based on quantitative research cannot provide. Another advantage of qualitative measures is that it is more flexible in nature in terms of collected information interpretation, subsequent analysis and data collection. It also presents a holistic point of view of the investigation. Furthermore, this approach of research allows the subjects to be comfortable thus be more accurate as research is carried on in accordance to the subject’s own terms. (Border, 2002) The best statistical method would be to interview long well formulated day-to-day working procedure at a specific and well-selected location. Throughout the procedure, it should be noticed whether there are specific variables within the testable population or not. These variables would be extremely important while evaluating the basic data in the final stages where the adjustments would be made to the formulated data in accordance to the observations. However, it is important to take into account the aspects of fundamental variables of an individual such as ethnicity, religious belief or positive support from the sales structure of the management and individual. It is necessary to design a new experiment that test the statistical method. For the purpose, it is necessary to collect a complete data of the site that would include different religion, ethnicity or gender. An open meeting with existing personnel of the company would be very relevant in this context. The mixed gender of male and female potential customers could well be used, though that would complicate matters in the context of gender variable juxtaposed with other pre mentioned variables but considering other dependable factors sustaining it would yield to be fruitful in the long run. Data would be collected in relation to the gender, colour, and religion of the existing employees in respect to the composition of the management under the same parameters. (Fletcher, 2005) In accordance to the basic test selected it could be stated that it could be possible that the outcome would be relatively logical in the sense that it would ultimately follow the trends of social facilitation theory in marketing and thus it would be agreeable with the statistical method and thus a well formulated strategy can be constructed for the benefit of the HR system. Here the ethical consideration of the existing employees or the ethnic background of the potential customers may not be a very relevant factor. Thus, there could be some flaws to the collection of the population but if these aspects were kept in mind then the shortcomings would easily be negotiated during the ultimate computations. As a result, the test would appear to be a full proofed measure that would be able to define and prove the fundamental aspects and statistical method applied. (Cook, 1998) Survey As descriptions of statistical methods that will be used it could be stated that in order to isolate the results for this particular study, only a survey questionnaire done would have been utilized. These questionnaires would be delivered to potential customers and retailers along with the administrators of different companies. The results were divided into these same categories to ensure validity and reliability. General information in regard to identifiers was utilized in order to ensure that there would be no bias. The study would in fact be balanced in its validity and reliability by results in questionnaires delivered. The objective would be to discover whether a prior knowledge of management of market segmentation would be beneficial or detrimental toward the company and their understanding of the use of strategies as marketing tools. Data would be gained from a specific area for ease of accessibility and for targeted accuracy lending reliability and validity to the research process. (Deb, 2006) The variables involved would also include age groups, amount of education, and understanding of security needs and responsibility. Other variables may be inclusive of the economic standings of the existing workers of the company interviewed. A third series of variables includes the types of studies that are managed and the cultural background of the workers at each of these areas. The research paradigm considered by the researcher in regard to this work included the consideration of groups and how strategically developed planning would target them. These considerations included in management and how the different respondents would in fact classify HR situation. (King, 2006) The data for this work was managed through a single questionnaire handed out to employees of HR system. The researcher utilized gender identifiers and numbers or letters to separate each questionnaire for validity and reliability of results and to ensure bias reductions. The questionnaire is located in the Appendix section for understanding of the questions. Each question had either a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ answer or followed positive or negative reactions to certain questions. The process to deliver and collect these questionnaires would be spanned around approximately two weeks. (Dos, 2006) Sampling The data sampling would be randomly managed utilizing stratified means with thirty-seven questionnaires completed by both male and female potential worker. The choice to use existing workers alone in this research was made for three reasons. First, it was far simpler to have access to workers in regard to the researcher’s availability. Second, the focus itself is on workers’ attitudes and understanding of the gadget. Third, the quantification of such information allows the researcher to gain a broader perspective on how workers observe and realize the validity and reliability of information received from a variety of sources and how they apply it to daily life in terms of job satisfaction. It should be noted that reliability for the researcher was achieved in the assurance that only a specified group of men and women were utilized in regard to the research. That group was focused mostly on workers and personnel along with administrative personnel. This gave the research a more focused view of the research goal. The validity was managed because of this focus and emphasized in the considerations involved in the data collection, variables, and sampling methods. Privacy and confidentiality methods included assigning numeric and alphabetic coding to each responding questionnaire. This ensured anonymity in regard to the researcher and the subjects of the research process. (Kar, 2006) Statistical Analysis Analysis of information in regard to research managed by the researcher includes complete and full understanding of the questionnaire. This understanding focuses in the use of the questionnaire created specifically for this process. It is the considerations realized within the questionnaires, no matter their simplicity, that will focus considerations in later chapters of this work. Within this section of Analysis and Findings there will be measurement of all responses in regard to the questionnaire. Analysis strategy included a full series of statistical diagrams of all information collected including positive and negative responses, gender variations and marital status. This strategy provided the researcher with a wider spread for the conclusions that became evident in regard to the researcher’s focus. This information was broken down into specific charts for the benefit of visual context. The visual context provided insight in regard to perceptions of job satisfaction in regard to work condition and execution. These perceptions and considerations provide the researcher with evidence to support the hypothesis made in that there would in fact be a satisfied worker or not. (Dollard, 2006) The researcher held awareness of the potential for study in regard to the social events and their use through many methods. Those methods include observation, interaction and extensive research. The awareness of the discussions of men and women and the similar studies within this idea would in fact have influenced the choice made. The choice of analyzing how population amongst this particular employee satisfaction population would in fact consider their social use and knowledge allows for a singular perspective isolated from the more broadly painted view including financial advisors, professors, families and more. Overall, the respondents to the questionnaires provided insight in regard to how many individuals are learning more and more about employee satisfaction and its significance in HR management. The understanding of this information gathered is proven in the statistics within the questionnaires that were completed and submitted. The research found that all respondents understood the material being requested and filled the questionnaires accordingly in timely fashion. This information would then examine thoroughly for consistency and validity. The researcher now understands that there is a great deal of diversity in the understanding of employee satisfaction and HR matters. (Edelman, 2005) References: Border, S; (2002); Fire of the Mind; Wellington: National Book Trust Cook, V. I; (1998); Being Personal: The Statistical Showcase; Albany: Large Alliance Publishers; Deb, J; (2006); Introduction to Industrial Economics; Bloemfontein: ABP Ltd Dos, M; (2006); Future of Thought Process: Management Gurus; Christchurch: Alliance Publications Dollard, John & Doob, Leonard W; (2006); Aggression in Decision Building; New Haven and London: Yale University Press Edelman, S; (2005); Evaluation Techniques in International Business Management; Bloemfontein: ABP Ltd Fletcher, R; (2005); Principals: Beliefs and Knowledge; Believing and Knowing; Dunedin: Howard & Price Kar, P; (2006); History of Industrial Surveys and Related Applications; Kolkata: Dasgupta & Chatterjee King, H; (2006); Management Principals Today; Auckland: HBT & Brooks Ltd Lamb, D; (2004); Cult to Culture: The Development of Civilization on the Strategic Strata; Wellington: National Book Trust Read More