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Methodology

A research study is considered as a strategy employed by researchers to link the methods

of their investigations to outcomes. This concept serves a dual role of providing for the

description of methodology as well as accounting for the rationale. In a nutshell, it seeks to

provide for the choice of strategies and the various specific forms in which the strategies are

adopted. Highlighted below is the overview of two appropriate research methodologies that can

be applied in this study of ethics.

Qualitative and Quantitative approaches

Myers (2013) asserts that quantitative methodology borrows its origins from the field of

natural sciences, whereby it was developed as a research method for studying natural

phenomena. The most commonly used methods of qualitative research in the social sciences and

those that are relevant to this study include survey methods, formal methods and numerical

methods. Thus, it can be presumed that the objective nature of quantitative approaches is directly

significant to deductive methodologies. This is because; with deductive approaches a theory can

be used to justify the variables or the purpose statement.

Subsequently, qualitative research originates from social science fields, whereby it was

designed to research on both cultural and social phenomena through employing methods such as

action research, case studies, and grounded theory. Simply, qualitative approach is used to

highlight interactions among researchers and participants in contexts that require flexible and

open research process. Thus, this research shall employ use of multiple perspectives such as data

from interviews and observations to construct a meaningful and useful research synthesis.

Consequently, the use of qualitative methodology would be appropriate as it will use paradigms

such as interpretive, positivism; within which there are a variety of research approaches such as

case studies and field studies.

Research approach for this study

It is purported that investigating ethical concepts constitute complicated measure

constructs which can vary from one perspective to another. Thus it is recommended that these

constructs will be investigated using a multi-source research methodology whereby both

qualitative and quantitative research would be used. This would allow for generalisability in

reporting findings from the interview sessions without losing the nuances of the views of the

focus groups.

Research design

Based on the field of social sciences, a resign design is considered a logical sequence that

connects empirical data, the premise of the research question and finally its conclusions. This

research study shall employ both implicit and explicit research design in the form of case study

approach..

Justifying the case study approach

Case study approach will be employed in this research study to bring about the

intellectual practice of the researcher and the ability to portray the most insightful ethical

narrative from a contemporary phenomenon. Case study approach would be appropriate because

it would utilize the exploratory phase of the research topic to bring about the needed information.

Alternatively, since data would be examined in a natural setting, the complexity of ethical

concept would be studied extensively, and hence the study will be within an organizational

perspective.

Selecting a sample

Based on the complexities of the research topic, theoretical sampling process would be

applied to determine the appropriate study sample size. Theoretical sampling will be significant

because it encompasses processes that allow data analysis to be inspected as the emergent theory

develops. Theoretical sampling allows for more focused session of data collection, thus the study

will employ a population sample that can be used to collect the required data until the point when

the saturation point is attained. In this context, data will be collected until the instance when data

analysis shows that further data collection would not result to any new knowledge development.

Reliability and Validity

Reliability and validity are considered the two most significant approaches used for

evaluation of research designs. Evaluation of the population sample size of this case study

research design would employ the four logical tests such as external, internal, validity and

reliability constructs. Construct validity would be achieved by first highlighting the ethical

concept from the comprehensive review of the literature review. Internal and external validity

would be addressed by triangulating multiple sources of evidence. For instance, data in this study

would be collected using a combination of interviews and focus group sessions; the external

validity would be achieved by ensuring the research findings are generalisable beyond the

sample case study, in that the information analyzed could be underpinned by replication of logic

in the whole ethical concept.

The reliability objective could be achieved through establishing a chain of evidence,

whereby the first evidence would be directed toward creating a clear and transparent link which

would connect the research objective to the case study and the array of interview questions

directed towards the focus groups. Thus, it is certain that the study would be conducted in such a

way that all the information is deprived and theoretical saturation is reached in that another

researcher employing the same research methodology would arrive exactly at the same

conclusions.

Data Collection Methods

Based on the complexity of the study topic, this case study research will employ multiple

data collection methods in order to enable the researcher to conduct in-depth study of the focal

phenomena. Thus, this research shall use data collection methods such as interviews and focus

groups. The basic objective of this data collection approaches is to ensure a rich set of data

surrounding the ethical research concept is obtained.

Interviews

The research interviewing process involved identifying of firms and focus groups on

which majority of the insights would be elicited from as well as associating them with the study

topic. Considering the dearth of the ethical concept, semi-structured interviewing process would

be deemed appropriate for this study. This approach will be used because it will guide the

interviewers to be creative and flexible in adapting to ever-changing circumstances by serving as

a guideline to base the discussion questions to the interviewee. The interviews would be

conducted through face to face and telephone conversations whereby it will be tape recorded.

Focus groups

The focus groups in this study would be selected based on purposeful sampling strategy,

whereby the size would be based on the recommended numbers for discussion of the research

topics. The focus groups would be held in an organizational setting and semi-structured

interview guide would e employed to direct the discussions.

Data analysis and discussion

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