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Methodology 1

Methodology

Name

Date

Methodology 2

3.1 Introduction

The methodology chapter of a dissertation is the guiding chapter of the research study. It

outlines the research strategy, research design, data collection methods, the research philosophy,

the ethical considerations for the research and the limitations of carrying out the research. In the

introduction part of the methodology, the author indicates the research question and the forms of

a type of research it is. There are two types of research studies, that is qualitative and

quantitative research studies. Therefore at this point, the research should identify whether the

research is qualitative or quantitative. A qualitative research study is a type of social research

with no numerical data, while quantitative research is a social phenomenon with numerical data.

The introduction part gives an in-depth analysis of the research sample population to be studied.

3.2 Research philosophy

The research philosophy is the understanding in which information about the research

question should be collected, analyzed and used by the researcher. At this point, the author

discusses both their epistemology and ontological perspectives. Ontology is what is assumed to

be the truth, while epistemology is what is known as the real truth. Therefore both aspects are

guided by the research questions and what the information gathered in regards to the research

questions. These two approaches to research philosophy, which is positivism and interpretivism

(Galliers 1991)

3.3 Research design

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Research design is a work plan to answer the research question. The research study

guides the research on the evidence needed to answer the research question as clear as possible.

One needs a clear program and work plan on the type of evidence that is required to justify the

answers that will give at the end of the research. Therefore a clear road map is created to prove a

specific phenomenon depending on the research question to be answered. A research design is

made to conform to a qualitative or quantitative approach paradigm. On the case study about

work workforce nationalization, the best approach to be considered for the case study is a

qualitative approach.

Case studies are prime examples of the qualitative approach. They are show-cased by

interpretive data on which the researchers are subjective to social phenomenon. Case studies are

social studies whose information gathered is interpreted clearly in regards to the research

question. The case study on workforce nationalization requires a descriptive approach which is

in regards to the authors ontological or epistemological perspectives. A case study does not need

numerical data; instead, it is a descriptive approach that guarantees the results of the research

question. Therefore the choice for a qualitative approach is well informed and justified for the

case study.

In a qualitative design of a case study, there are several methods used in the collection of

data. These data collection methods ensure that well-informed evidence is gathered towards

justifying the answer to the research question, which should be as clear and focused as possible.

The methods include observations, semi-structured interviews, surveys and analyzing of

documents. The data collection methods are aimed at answering the “how” and “why”

questions. The most common method that is effective for a case study is semi-structured

interviews. A semi-structured interview is a form of an interview in which the questions asked

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are more open-minded to give a more insightful and descriptive answer in regards to the topic.

The advantage of using semi-structured interview is that it tends to deviate from the general topic

to a more direct and clear focused answer. The participants of the interview are not limited to

final answers; rather, they give solutions that are more direct to their personal experiences. The

form of data collection is more effective, especially in gathering qualitative data for case studies.

A good example is the case study on workforce nationalization; this case study requires more

insightful answers that not closed. A semi-structured interview will help the researcher in

understanding the advantages and disadvantages of workforce nationalization and get the idea of

how the participants take the concept of workforce nationalization.

3.5 Data Collection

Data collection is the act of gathering all the necessary information that is related to the

research question to find a more conclusive answer. There are two methods of data collection;

they include primary and secondary data collection methods. Secondary data is information

gathered from published sources such as journals, newspapers and books. Secondary data is

already gathered and documented. On the other hand, primary data is the first-hand information

gathered from source to answer a research question. In regards to the research design for this

research, a semi-structured interview is preferred for the primary data collection. Therefore

participants have to be selected from a population.

The selection of the participants is made through sampling method. This is to allow a

section of the population to participate in the research study. The most commonly used method

of sampling is convenience sampling. The sampling is done to ensure that the participants in the

research study will give the best information. The researcher must have prior knowledge about

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the participants before the selection. For example, in the case study of workforce nationalization,

the best participants would-be employees, unlike random sampling, which lead to the gaining of

irrelevant information.

3.6 Ethical considerations

Ethical considerations in research are norm and morals that guide the collection of data to

ensure that the rights of the participants are not violated and the data collected is reliable and

authentic. There are several reasons why ethical considerations are important during research.

The first reason is that ethical norms allow the achievement of the objectives of the study. The

rules of engagement prevent the fabrication of information and minimization of error; thus,

leading to a correct and accurate data collection and analysis approach. The second reason is that

ethical considerations promote the collaborative framework of research. Their many people

involved in undertaking a research study, they need to collaborate to get correct results.

Therefore ethics sets the standard in which trust, fairness and mutual respect is built for more

collaborative engagement. Ethical considerations also promote accountability during the

research process. Finally, ethical considerations in research support moral and social values

throughout the process of the research. This is ensured through human rights, compliance of the

law, ensuring the integrity of participants is maintained, public safety and social responsibility.

The primary ethical considerations on the study that were considered and have been

addressed are informed consent, voluntary participation, do no harm, confidentiality and

anonymity. In each of the studies conducted, all of the participants have provided informed

consent to the research practice that is conducted. All surveys and questionnaires were designed

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such that any surveys and questionnaires would not breach any of these ethical considerations in

either delivery or interpretation of the results.

Each participant was required to complete consent as to participating in the study and

further consent that the results of the study could be compiled on an anonymous and analytic

procedure. No names of participants in the studies are intended to be released alongside any of

the findings. All the privacy policies adhered to in accessing and research analytics of data

obtained throughout the study Only relevant questions for the performance of the learning tools

were directed to the participants in the study and no questions or surveys were conducted that

were in contradiction of these principles.

3.7 Conclusion

In this chapter, the methodology in which the research will be conducted has focused on

the research philosophy, research design the methods of data collection and the ethical

considerations for the study. The research will be based on the above-discussed points. The

points for the methodology chapter is to determine whether the research is a qualitative or a

quantitative study and then determine the right research design to use. The research design is the

central part of the methodology since it determines the outcome of the research. It is the guiding

framework for the final findings and conclusion for the research study. As discussed above the

method to be adopted for data collection is a semi-structured interview since the research, a case

study and more focused and descriptive data is needed to answer the research question. Finally,

the ethical considerations for the research study have been highlighted to ensure the authenticity

and integrity of the research is maintained.

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