Dissertation Research Design

type Dissertation Methodology Quantitative look into Strategy1 enquiry Methodology1.1 IntroductionThis investigate project has been hotshot of the close to thought-provoking and ch onlyenging feature of speech of the masters course. It provides a break to endorse, simplify, pursue and even look stark naked facets of hotshots investigate topic. The look for advance put one overed is an important shot to increase the rationality of the search tally to Cresswell (2007). The enquiry onion plant is a modal valueology that was developed by Saunders et al (2003).According to the interrogation onion, as shown in work come out of the clo tidy sum 4.1, the entire surgical process is in the frame of an onion comprising of different layers. The look school of thought, look for mountinges, inquiry strategies, period thoughts and the entropy accruement method dramatis personae the different layers of the onion depicting each of the look for process. The proce ss involves peeling each layer at a clock snip to reach the centerfield which is the actual disbelief of the inquiry. For this enquiry philosophy of supplyivism was chosen along with deductive betterment and mainly using vicenary techniques for information parade and abstract (Saunders et al., 2009).The chapter details the research process adopted and continues with an explanation of the info collection and info synopsis methods busy by the tec including a acknowledgment for the come on and method.The try out method apply by the research worker is discussed and justified and the chapter continues with a commentary of the limitation of the written report design. at last the issues of observer influence ar c e rattlingwhere as in the ethical nestle to the research and a summary of the chapter is shewed1.2 The research Philosophy Research philosophy forms the outer(prenominal) layer of the research onion. in that location be three views base on the way f amiliarity is developed and corroborated. single(a)s or groups rely upon their individual experiences, memories and expectations to derive logical systemal system from situations occurring in the society. This logic stand bys revised over a period of era with novel experiences which in turns leads to different interpretations. thitherfore it is requirement to determine and understand the factors that impact, govern and incite the interpretations of individuals.According to Denzin and Lincoln (2003) interpretivists believe in multiple realities. Hatch and Cuncliffe (2006) have depict how interpretivists try to draw meaning from realities and set ahead creat new one(a)s to analyse the different horizontal surface of views and to validate them against academic literatures. Since the aim is to interpret the thinking of social actors and gaining insights using their menseso of views, it drive outnot be generalised (Saunders et al. 2007). Remenyi et al. (1998) described an int erpretivist as one who tries to ascertain the details of the situation with the primal occasion to unearth the working logic behind the situation.Eriksson and Kovalainen (2008) bakshish out a flaw which research workers need to take stand by of while adopting the interpretivism. They say that because of the closeness of the researcher and the researched, thither is a resemblinglihood of a bias in the interpretation. The solution is self-reflectionThis research attempts to ascertain a birth, if any, mingled with familiarity solicitude framework in an government activity and the behaviour resulting from the companionship anxiety practices. This go up adopted by the researcher requires to get close to the histrions and try and throw decrepit on their acumen of the reality. Thus it fire be said that the researcher adopts a interpretivism philosophy.The Research ApproachThe next layer of the research onion is the research court. The design of the research project dete rmines the choice of research approach adopted. If the research involves developing a possibility and hypothesis (or hypotheses) and design a research outline to audition the hypotheses then the approach classifies as a deductive approach. On the other hand the inductive approach involves info collection and developing a theory based on the abstract of the selective information.In an inductive approach a theory follows the selective information collection where as it is vice versa in case of a deductive approach. According to Saunders et al (2003), researchers in the 20th century criticised the deductive approach stating that deductive approach help take a crap cause-effect links between specific inconsistent without taking in to account the kind interpretation. Saunders et al. (2000) suggest that researcher should be self-directed of what is being observed, which the deductive approach dictates. Robson (1993) suggests that the deductive approach is a theory exam practic e which arises from an established theory or generalisation, and tries to validate the theory in linguistic context to specific instances.According to Jashapara (2004) Knowledge Management, the cardinal topic of the research, has been around since ancient Greece and capital of Italy and it b atomic number 18ly mentions that knowledge way is ontogenesis at an exponential growth with a lot of literature in stock(predicate). As Creswell (1994) suggests that a deductive approach would be a better approach in much(prenominal) a scenario. Since the information collection for this research involves online reexamines by professionals, clock time is a precious commodity. In a deductive approach, information collection is less time consuming and works on a one take institution, which is also beneficial for the participant of the work. Following a deductive approach views a highly integrated methodology (Giles and Johnson, 1997) and johnnister also be basis for future researc h adopting an inductive approach.1.3 Research StrategyThe research strategy provides a peevish picture virtually how the research move (s) will be causeed. It also specifies the sources for selective information collection and hindrances faced throughout the research like data access limitations, time shynesss, economical and ethical issues. Saunders et al. (2003) explain that the strategy is concerned with the overall approach you adopt while the tactics involves the details like data collection methods (questionnaire, interviews published data) and analysis methods. There are several strategies that dirty dog be employed and they can be categorise based on the approach, deductive or inductive, adopted.This research adopts deductive approach. stare strategy is well suited for this approach. A large amount of data was essential to determine the relationship, if any, between the constructs define in the literature review. According to Saunders et al (2003) and collins an d Hussey (2003) surveys allows data collection and can be addressed to a size of itable hearing in a very cost-efficient way. Surveys are mostly through in the form of questionnaire, as questionnaire provides standardised data qualification it easy for comparison. One drawback is the time spent to construct and test a questionnaire. In a survey there is a huge dependence on the participants to answer the questionnaire causing unnecessary delays. There is also a limitation on the number of questions that can be include in the questionnaire. This limitation is from the moveents positioning if the researcher wants a high quality of rejoinder from the participants.Owing to the nature and amount of size required, statistical analysis of data, time available for the research and for economic reasons the survey strategy has been adopted for this research.Choice of research methodAccording to Saunders et al. (2003) the research methods are in accord with the methods and utilise fo r data collection and analysis. Quantitative research is associated with numeric data collection and analysis while, qualitative methods are inclined towards non-numeric or data that is gained from inference. but a combined approach can also be adopted as suggested by Tashakori and Teddlies (2003). The main gain is that the researcher can get a different perspective while attempting to answer the research questions and also make to a greater tip reliable interpretations, triangulation (Saunders et al. 2009).For this research data was self-contained via online questionnaire and was statically analysed and represented using graphs. Number crunching methods are generally used in line of work and management studies. This method is primarily contributed to quantitative analysis. To answer the research question data was also lay in from theories and case studies and analysed qualitatively. To present the analysis in a structured manner and articulate the inferences from the theories and statistical analysis could only be through by means of words (Saunders et al., 2009). By do use of qualitative methods the data could be categorized under knowledge management environment, governingal knowledge behaviour and Individual knowledge behaviour and with the aid of level an attempt to establish relationships, if any, between them (Saunders et al., 2009, p.516).1.4 cadence HorizonsSaunders et al. (2009) suggest that a research can be depicted in a snap look alike or can have a journal like perspective. A snapshot horizon is termed as a cross sectioned whereas the diary perspective is termed as longitudinal. tho Saunders et al (2003) suggest that the time perspective to research (cross-sectional or longitudinal) is independent of the research strategy.Longitudinal research is adopted when exchange or development that occurs over a period of time is to be examine. rapture and Schvaneveldt (1991) suggest that in longitudinal studies is very useful in studying hum an behaviours and development. Longitudinal studies do have a limitation when time is a unobtrusiveness. In cross-sectional research, a certain phenomenon is studied at a particular point in time. This research tries to explore the relationship between governingal environment and its effect on organisational behaviours in the context of Knowledge Management. It is aimed to recover the relation at the present time so a cross-sectional study is adopted. According to Easterby-Smith et al. ( 2002) surveys are preferred in cross-sectional studies. However Robson (2002) g=further says that qualitative methods can also be adopted in cross-sectional studies by considering interviews carried out in a ill-judged span of time.1.5 Secondary Data ingatheringAccording to Saunders et al. ( 2003) secondary data includes two quantitative and qualitative data. Secondary data is usually used in the form of case studies or survey-based research in management and business research. Saunders et al . (2003) have classified secondary data under documental data, complied data and survey-based data as shown in figure 3.1For this research the primary data collection was using online questionnaires. However nonsubjective secondary data was also unsed in conjunction to the primary data. The purpose of making use of secondary data was to explore the existing literature and explore the various facets of knowledge management. Documentary secondary data like books, journals articles were used in this research to define the three constructs explained in chapter 2. besides secondary data was used to explore the literature to define the research question. Books by noted authors and academic journals such as Emerald journals, swetswise e-journals, ebsco host were refereed for the purpose of data collection.The reliableness and validness of secondary data relates to the methods by which the data was collected and the source of the data. A quick assessment of the source can project vali dity and reliability of the data. Dochartaigh (2002) suggests the interrogatory of reliability and validity refers to testing the dictum and reputation of the source. Articles and papers found in Emerald and Ebscohost are likely to be more(prenominal) reliable and trustworthy which can be inferred from the continued existence of such organisations. Dochartaigh (2002) furthers the point of assessment by looking out for copyright statement.1.6 Research SampleSaunders et al. (2003) differentiated take in distribution techniques as probability sampling and non-probability sampling based on their generalizability. Probability sampling meant that the research question could be answered and generalised across the marker population, based on the responses from the sample size. Time was a constraint owing to the business of the participants who belonged to Knowledge intensive industry, selecting a sampling method was a challenge. According to Easterby-Smith et al. (2002), sampling me thods must annul the amount of data to be collected by focusing on the target population rather than a random sample population.Snowball sampling was selected to crack that maximum participants could be reached. The research was carried deep down 7 organisations across 5 countries. The researcher could not personally know so many professional from IT and other knowledge intensive industry, so a hardly a(prenominal) managers was contacted who subsequently in the leaded the questionnaire to others with in their respective organisation resulting in to a homogeneous sample (Babbie, 2008). Manager also had to be contacted since all participants could not be addressed instantaneously payable company policies restricting extraneous emails.Since the questionnaire was target at the users of knowledge management tools and practices with in the organisation, the researcher requested the managers to forward the questionnaire across the organisation independent of the managerial status. S ample selection was continued boulder clay 20 responses from each organisation were received. cxl samples have been considered for this study.1.7 Primary Data collectionQuestionnaire is a form of data collection in which all the respondents are asked the same set of questions in a pre-set order (deVaus, 2002). Robson (2002) suggested that questionnaires are not effective in a descriptive research as it is requires many open ended questions to be answered. every(prenominal) the participants should interpret the questionnaire in the same manner the data collected can be reliable. If the questionnaire is worded correctly, less effort is required to allot the questionnaire (Jankowicz, 2000). Questionnaire can be classified as shown in the Figure below. The differentiation is based on the level of interaction between the researcher and the respondents.The research has an international druthers to it. The respondents are based in 5 countries and it was not operable for the researcher to witness each respondent. So a self-administered questionnaire was the most appropriate option. Time and monetary constraint further helped to narrow down the survey to an online questionnaire where the questionnaire was forwarded to the emails. Email offers a better reliability as the respondents would access their own emails and respond to the questionnaire (Witmer et al., 1999). In this case the questionnaire was sent to the managers who further forwarded the emails to their colleagues. In this scenario online questionnaire was a more feasible option because it is easy to forward emails, unauthorized access to emails would be difficult and the responses would go directly to the researcher without them being tell or discussed with.The questionnaire has been divided into two parts. The for the first time part consists of information regarding demographics such as organisation location, age, tenure in the organisation and job role. The second part consists of questions relat ed to to organizations knowledge management practices, knowledge behaviour and use of the knowledge. The data required for the research required responses from managerial and non-managerial employees working in a knowledge intensive environment. It was required to create an precise cause effect relationship of the KM practices with respect the organisational environment and behaviour of employees. This required honest responses about the KM practices. attachment shows the questions that were asked to define the relationship amongst the construct defined in the literature review. Likert scale has been used to have each question and score will be given from potently disagree(1) to strongly agree(5) to. In the questionnaire 1 question has been framed using negation and in a reverse order. Podsakoff et al. (2003) suggest that this should be done to ensure that respondent pay attention while reading the question. All questionnaires were returned inwardly 72 hours. Considering the i ncentives and time constraints for the respondents the questionnaire was designed so that it does not take more than 8-10 proceedings to be answered.1.8 Dota Analysis methodsQualitative and quantitative data has been used in this research. Qualitative data has been used to study the literature about knowledge manangement and define the constructs that for the basis of the research question. Quantitiative data was collected primarily with the help of questionnaire.1.9 Methodological ReviewSaunders et al. (2003) emphasis on two aspects of data collection validity and reliability. The validity and reliability of secondary data has been explained in SECTION. Saunders et al. (2007) suggest that in case of a questionnaire pilot testing should be done to ensure the validity of the question and the reliability of the data subsequently collected. The questionnaire used for the survey has been tested on a group, to test the comprehensibility of the content and the logic of the questions. to ll (1999) suggests that a trail run should never be compromised even if time is a constraint. While testing the questionnaire the respondent were asked regarding the time taken to complete, ambiguity of the questions, if any questions caused a uncomfortable feeling or uneasy state of mind and the last was the structure. clear the questionnaire ensures that the response for each question and the motive for the question are the relevant (Saunders et al. 2000). dependability of the questionnaire depends on the soundbox of the response to the same questions. To ensure this the questionnaire must be answered in two ways by the respondent at differing time (Easterby-Smith, et al. 2002). This may be difficult due time constraints but should be done. Mitchell (1996) suggests that the responses of the questions should be checked for consistency within the subgroup. In this research the questionnaire has been divided in to 4 sections. During the pilot testing the responses where checked fo r consistency with in each section to ensure the reliability. The results can be generalised to an extent due to the sample size and inferences are gathered based on the statistical analysis. Steps have been taken to ensure the anonymous nature of the questionnaire so that the responses are honest and unbiased.