#quantitative method

Re-Search the Research Methods P2

Research design

As mentioned, this project utilized qualitative and quantitative approaches. Thus concepts, ideas, and hypotheses developed in the qualitative study were tested on a large number of subjects in the quantitative phase of the study.

There is an assessment data on pupils’ attainments in English and Mathematics in this research as the main index to correspond to the qualitative…

Quantitative method, Uses,Design and Components,

QUANTITATIVE METHOD EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

QUANTITATIVE METHOD EPHISIZES objective measurement and statistical, mathematical or numerical analysis of data collected through different polls and questionnaires, and surveys, or by manipulating pre-existing statistical data using computational techniques.

 INTRODUCTION OF QUANTITATIVE METHOD

According to J.W.Best: “Experimental research is the…

As the name suggests quantitative approach of a research is aimed at finding solutions to the problems of research relevant to the numerical or statistical data. According to Aliaga & Gunderson (2006) quantitative approach of a research is really essential wherever the issue of investigations or research deals with the numerical and statistical data. This approach helps in finding solution to the problem through the statistical data. Wolvin (2011) defines quantitative research as “This type of research relies on (a) operationalization of empirical data which is (b) collected from a sample and translated into (c) numerical form than can then be (d) subjected to one or more statistical tests from which the data are (e) generalized to a larger population and (f) claims are made about the “true” nature of the phenomenon under study”[Part 3, Page 2]. On the other hand King et al (1994) cited in Thomas (2003) defines quantitative research and is of the view that “Quantitative research uses numbers and statistical methods. It tends to be based on numerical measurement of specific aspects of phenomena; it abstracts from particular instances to seek general description or to test causal hypothesis; it seeks measurements and analyses that are easily replicable by other researchers”. Quantitative research method is a commonly used and a popular research methodology, which is, used all over the world wherever the project of research is objective-oriented and the kind of research deals with the numerical or statistical data. This methodology is considered to be the best methodology, which can be incorporated in the research study to draw exact facts and outcomes of the research because of its nature as it deals with numbers and statistical information collected from the respondents of primary research. By adapting quantitative approach in the primary research of any research study the chances are higher to miss out on the feelings and perceptions of respondents and many scholars agree on it that quantitative research only deals with numbers and don’t give any importance to the thoughts of people on whom research is implied. Neil (2007) disagrees with this concept given by different scholars and criticizes qualitative research and is of the view that there is no space for the personal feelings and perceptions of people in research or investigation, in order to be accurate and make research authentic there is a certain need identify and draw outcomes through numbers and statistics using quantitative research. Mujis (2004) also favors the debate and is of the view that quantitative research is the methodology, which deals with numbers such as the number of rooms in a hospital or number of stores in a mall. He further explains that quantitative research is considered as one of the reliable and authentic way to draw outcomes through collected statistical information.

The choice to use any of these two methodologies in conducting primary research of any research study always depends upon the research objectives and aim of the research. If the aim of researcher demands to include the statistical information in the research then there is a certain need to employ the quantitative methodology in such research. On the other hand if the issue of research demands to record the perceptions, thoughts and feelings of humans who are involved in the research to authenticate the information then qualitative research methodology should be considered as the best method to employ in the research for the purpose of successful completion of research study. There is no doubt about the authenticity of quantitative methodology as it is used all over the world successfully, but like any other process or theory or method it also has some drawbacks which are certainly noticeable for the social sciences researchers because most of the issues of research in social sciences demand to include the perceptions and feelings of the people involved in the research. Quantitative research may miss that broader picture about the inclusion of these thoughts and perceptions of people and get some unique outcomes and results out of them.

3.8 Choosing qualitative research and justifications of choice:

Pursued research study aims to find the effects of employee motivation on the consumer attitude that entered the retail store to buy products for themselves. As evident from aim of the research the issue of research is relevant to the thoughts, feelings and perceptions of people. There is a certain need to address the issues of research through a methodology, which may give freedom to researcher to record the feelings and perceptions of consumers and employees in order to make the research authentic and valuable. Qualitative methodology will be used to collect data in the primary research of this research study so that respondents may comment and record their thoughts as well about the issue of research.

Researcher plans to design two different kinds of open-ended questionnaires i.e. a) Psychological questionnaire aimed at finding the motivation level of employees, b) Consumer related questionnaire which is aimed at finding the effects on their buying when they see motivated or de-motivated employees serving them while they buy products or avail the services to satisfy their needs. It is absolutely essential to make an open-ended questionnaire measurable enough by designing the questions used in questionnaire in such a way where the outcomes and findings could be measured and drawn. It is also important to keep in mind the objectives of research study at all times while designing and finalizing the questionnaire because irrelevant questions in the questionnaire would not help research to be authentic and successful. Special care should be taken to address the issues related to feelings and perceptions of employees and consumers of Co-operative Food, they must not face a question in a questionnaire, which may become a cause of offense for them. Apart from that friendly behavior must be adapted with the respondents all the time because unless researcher becomes frank enough to ask them questions, it would not be fruitful and respondents may not talk or write exactly about what they feel. Clarification of questions are very important as well, all the respondents must feel clear about the questions researcher asks them. In order to make this possible pilot study has already been done where the manager and employees of the Co-operative store have checked the designed questionnaire and felt satisfied about the clarification and conciseness of the questions used in questionnaire. Another issue which may arise while asking questions from the respondents and that is anonymity, all the respondents must be assured that there anonymity would not be compromised at any cost. Collected information from the respondents would be locked in a drawer and the soft copies of the reactions of the respondents would be on password locked laptop so that no one can have access to there information.

3.9 Primary data collection:

In any research study, especially in areas of social sciences data is considered to have two kinds i.e. secondary data and primary data. Similarly in this research study, two kinds of data are used to authenticate the research study. Literature review chapter in this research study has been dedicated to the secondary research or in other words secondary data was collected and recorded in this chapter. Furthermore, different books, articles, journals, Internet, newspapers, magazines were consulted in order to collect and record the secondary data of the research study. Primary data of the research study was collected through two different research questionnaires, which were open-ended and gave full freedom to the respondents to add whatever they feel relevant to the issue of research. A psychological questionnaire to measure motivation of employees working at Co-operative food was floated in the employees of Co-operative food. After collecting the data on one aspect of the research study which is to measure the motivation level of employees, another open-ended questionnaire was designed and floated in the consumers who buy products at Co-operative food so that effects may be recognized and found and different effects of motivation or de-motivation could be sighted on the consumer buying behavior.