Dissertation Research Design

Sample Dissertation Methodology numeric Survey Strategy1 Research Methodology1.1 IntroductionThis look project has been one of the most stimulating and challenging feature of the masters course. It provides a chance to endorse, simplify, give chase and even search new facets of ones look topic. The query hail adopted is an important aspect to increase the rationality of the dubiousness associateing to Cress surface (2007). The query onion is a methodology that was developed by Sa beneaths et al (2003).According to the interrogation onion, as shown in figure 4.1, the stallion process is in the form of an onion comprising of various spirit takes. The seek philosophy, interrogation climaxes, research strategies, magazine skylines and the info aggregation method form the divers(prenominal) layers of the onion depicting to each(prenominal) one of the research process. The process involves peeling each layer at a sequence to reach the centre which is the substant ial oppugn of the research. For this research philosophy of presentivism was chosen along with deductive near and mainly using quantitative techniques for selective information collection and analysis (Saunders et al., 2009).The chapter expatiate the research process adopted and continues with an explanation of the entropy collection and entropy analysis methods employed by the research worker including a justification for the plan of attack and method.The throw away method utilize by the researcher is discussed and justified and the chapter continues with a commentary of the limitation of the study end.Finally the issues of observer influence atomic number 18 covered as in the ethical advance to the research and a summary of the chapter is afforded1.2 The Research Philosophy Research philosophy forms the come inermost layer of the research onion. There are three views found on the way cognition is developed and corroborated. souls or groups rely upon their indiv idual experiences, memories and expectations to make logic from situations occurring in the society. This logic gets revised over a point of clock with new experiences which in turns leads to different interpretations. Therefore it is essential to go and understand the factors that impact, govern and affect the interpretations of individuals.According to Denzin and Lincoln (2003) interpretivists believe in multiple realities. Hatch and Cuncliffe (2006) have described how interpretivists get word to draw importation from realities and further creat new ones to analyse the different point of views and to validate them against donnish literatures. Since the aim is to interpret the thinking of social actors and gaining insights using their pointo of views, it lavatorynot be speak (Saunders et al. 2007). Remenyi et al. (1998) described an interpretivist as one who tries to ascertain the details of the situation with the central motive to unearth the working logic behind the si tuation.Eriksson and Kovalainen (2008) point out a flaw which researchers need to take care of while adopting the interpretivism. They translate that beca intake of the closeness of the researcher and the researched, there is a likelihood of a bend in the interpretation. The solution is self-reflectionThis research attempts to ascertain a blood, if some(prenominal), amongst noesis charge framework in an organisation and the behaviour resulting from the knowledge management practices. This approach adopted by the researcher requires to get close to the actors and try and throw light on their acumen of the reality. Thus it end be said that the researcher adopts a interpretivism philosophy.The Research ApproachThe next layer of the research onion is the research approach. The design of the research project mends the choice of research approach adopted. If the research involves developing a theory and hypothesis (or hypotheses) and design a research strategy to test the hypoth eses then the approach classifies as a deductive approach. On the other hand the inductive approach involves selective information collection and developing a theory based on the analysis of the entropy.In an inductive approach a theory follows the info 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 establish consume-effect links between circumstantial variable without taking in to account the human interpretation. Saunders et al. (2000) suggest that researcher should be independent of what is being observed, which the deductive approach dictates. Robson (1993) suggests that the deductive approach is a theory testing practice which arises from an established theory or generalisation, and tries to validate the theory in context to specific instances.According to Jashapara (2004) knowledge Management, the central topic of the research, has been around since ancient Greece and Rome and it further mentions that knowledge management is growing at an exponential growth with a rush of literature available. As Creswell (1994) suggests that a deductive approach would be a better approach in such a scenario. Since the data collection for this research involves online surveys by professionals, time is a valuable commodity. In a deductive approach, data collection is less time consuming and working on a one take founding, which is also beneficial for the participant of the survey. Following a deductive approach gibes a highly coordinate methodology (Giles and Johnson, 1997) and can also be basis for future research adopting an inductive approach.1.3 Research StrategyThe research strategy provides a rough painting about how the research question (s) will be replyed. It also specifies the sources for data collection and hindrances faced throughout the research like data opening limitations, time con straints, economical and ethical issues. Saunders et al. (2003) explain that the strategy is concerned with the boilers suit 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 can be employed and they can be classified based on the approach, deductive or inductive, adopted.This research adopts deductive approach. Survey strategy is well suited for this approach. A large amount of data was undeniable to determine the relationship, if any, between the builds defined in the literature review. According to Saunders et al (2003) and collins and Hussey (2003) surveys allows data collection and can be addressed to a good for you(p) audience in a very cost-effective way. Surveys are loosely done in the form of questionnaire, as questionnaire provides standardised data fashioning 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 consequence the questionnaire causing unnecessary delays. There is also a limitation on the number of questions that can be included in the questionnaire. This limitation is from the respondents perspective if the researcher wants a high quality of response 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. picking of research methodAccording to Saunders et al. (2003) the research methods are in accord with the methods and utilise for 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. However a combined approach can also be adopted as suggested by Tashakori and Teddlies (2003). The m ain advantage is that the researcher can get a different perspective while attempting to answer the research questions and also make more reliable interpretations, triangulation (Saunders et al. 2009).For this research data was hive away via online questionnaire and was statically analysed and represented using graphs. Number crunching methods are generally used in business and management studies. This method is primarily contri neverthelessed to quantitative analysis. To answer the research question data was also collected 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 done by means of language (Saunders et al., 2009). By making use of qualitative methods the data could be reason under knowledge management environment, organisational knowledge behaviour and Individual knowledge behaviour and with the aid of narrative an attempt to esta blish relationships, if any, between them (Saunders et al., 2009, p.516).1.4 m HorizonsSaunders et al. (2009) suggest that a research can be show in a snap look alike or can have a diary like perspective. A snapshot horizon is termed as a cross sectional whereas the diary perspective is termed as longitudinal. Further 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 change or development that occurs over a period of time is to be studied. tenner and Schvaneveldt (1991) suggest that in longitudinal studies is very useful in studying human behaviours and development. Longitudinal studies do have a limitation when time is a constraint. In cross-sectional research, a certain phenomenon is studied at a particular point in time. This research tries to explore the relationship between organisational environment and its effect on organisational behaviours in the context of cognition Management. It is aimed to find 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 short span of time.1.5 Secondary Data CollectionAccording to Saunders et al. ( 2003) subaltern data includes both quantitative and qualitative data. Secondary data is unremarkably used in the form of case studies or survey-based research in management and business research. Saunders et al. (2003) have classified thirdhand data under documentary data, complied data and survey-based data as shown in figure 3.1For this research the primary data collection was using online questionnaires. However documentary subaltern data was also unsed in conjunction to the primary data. The purpose of making use of secondary dat a 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. Also 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 reliability and validity 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 ensure validity and reliability of the data. Dochartaigh (2002) suggests the testing of reliability and validity refers to testing the dresser and reputation of the source. Articles and papers found in Emerald and Ebscohost are likely to be more reliable and trustworthy which can be inferred from the continued being of such organisations. Docharta igh (2002) furthers the point of assessment by looking out for secure statement.1.6 Research SampleSaunders et al. (2003) differentiated sampling techniques as probability sampling and non-probability sampling based on their generalizability. Probability sampling meant that the research question could be answered and generalized across the target 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 methods must snip the amount of data to be collected by focusing on the target population rather than a random sample population. increase sampling was selected to ensure that maximum participants could be reached. The research was carried within 7 organisations across 5 countries. The researcher could not personally know so many professional from IT and other knowledge intensive industry, so a few managers was contacted who subsequently forwarded 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 directly due company policies restricting international emails.Since the questionnaire was target at the users of knowledge management tools and practices with in the organisation, the researcher pass along the managers to forward the questionnaire across the organisation independent of the managerial status. Sample plectron was continued till 20 responses from each organisation were received. 140 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 equivalent set of questions in a pre-set entrap (deVaus, 2002). Robson (2002) suggested that questionnaires are not effective in a descriptive research as it is requi res many open ended questions to be answered. All 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 administer 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 orientation to it. The respondents are based in 5 countries and it was not viable for the researcher to meet 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, unauthorised access to emails would be punishing and the responses would go directly to the researcher without them being disclosed or discussed with.The questionnaire has been dual-lane into two parts. The first part consists of information regarding demographics such as organisation location, age, tenure in the organisation and job role. The second part consists of questions tie in 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 accurate cause effect relationship of the KM practices with respect the organisational environment and behaviour of employees. This required honest responses about t he KM practices.Appendix shows the questions that were asked to define the relationship amongst the construct defined in the literature review. Likert scale has been used to score each question and score will be given from strongly 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 gestate attention while reading the question. All questionnaires were returned within 72 hours. Considering the incentives and time constraints for the respondents the questionnaire was designed so that it does not take more than 8-10 minutes 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) wildness 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. Bell (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 awkward state of heed and the last was the structure. Validating the questionnaire ensures that the response for each question and the motive for the question are the relevant ( Saunders et al. 2000).Reliability of the questionnaire depends on the consonance of the response to the same questions. To ensure this the questionnaire must be answered twice 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 for consistency with in each section to ensure the reliability. The results can be generalise 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.