Following quantitative research design
The data collection process is always a fundamental element in empirical research. For this week’s Key
Concept Exercise you will shape your research idea within the context of a quantitative research
framework, analyse the optimal data collection process that could align to your research idea, explore the
strengths and weaknesses of the chosen technique, and finally critically discuss the potential validity and
reliability of the data that you plan to collect.
� Return to your chosen research topic-problem (as subsequently amended) and consider a quantitative
approach.
� In approximately 550 words, explain how your research ideas could take the shape of a quantitative
research project.
� What specific methods would you implement for data collection and analysis?
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� What type of data would you need to tackle the research question(s)?
� What are the strengths and weaknesses of the research design?
� Can you recommend ways to maximise the validity and reliability of the data to be collected?
Data collection methods and analysis
A quantitative research purposes to test the hypotheses that are developed from theory
(Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill 2012). For that reason, this project will use questions to collect
data. Questionnaires are widely used in business studies to gather primary information. In this
case, questionnaires will be used to collect relevant information on human resource strategies
that influence employee engagement within organisations in Qatar. In particular, self-completed
questionnaires will be appropriate and also completed with the participants without the
researcher being around. As such, the questionnaires will be sent through email to the
respondents after filling they will return them. On the other
hand, collection of secondary information will entail analyzing previous data relevant to human
resource strategies that influence employee engagement within organisations. In that view,
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secondary information will be gathered from organization’s files or websites. When it comes to
data analysis, the study will use descriptive statistics, correlation and linear regression.
Type of data to address the research questions
This being a quantitative project, the data collected would be descriptive in nature. The
data would tackle primary and secondary on human resources strategies used by Oatar firms; and
forms of employee engagement
The strengths and weaknesses of Descriptive research design
The appropriate research design in this scenario is descriptive. Some of its strengths and
weaknesses are;
Strengths
This research design can collect a lot of data through description while identifying
variables as well as hypothetical variables that can in turn be explored using other means. Such
description presents a number of benefits since it offers multifaceted techniques for collecting
information (Sreejesh, Mohapatra & Anusree, 2013). For instance, questionnaires can presents
statistics about human resources strategies and illustrate how to improve employee engagement.
Moreover, descriptive research design presents distinct means of gathering information. Case
studies may be based on different sources like companies websites.
Weaknesses
Confidentiality; this is a major weakness of descriptive research design, however, in most
instances; the respondents may be genuine in providing their views. This is especially during
interviews as the respondents may refuse to give correct responses to questions (Collis & Hussey
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2013). Another weakness of this research design is objectivity and errors. For instance, during
questionnaire development questions are not only prescriptive but also predetermined.
Additionally, a study can have errors since the researcher records what he/she wants to hear
while ignoring other issues that do not address the research questions.
Ways of minimizing the validity and reliability of the data to be collected
The validity and reliability of data to be gathered will be minimised by ensuring the
usability of the questionnaire (Smith 2014). This refers to the level of easiness in administering
and interpreting the questionnaire. In addition, validity of data to be gathered will be reduced by
not just collecting but also analyzing information to assess the accuracy of the questionnaire.
Thus, the research will perform a pilot study, to test the accuracy of questionnaire that would
significantly reduce validity of the data (Ross & Onwuegbuzie 2014). Another approach of
minimising validity and reliability would be ensuring that questionnaire consistently measures
the intended variables.
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Bibliography
Collis, J. and Hussey, R., 2013. Business research: A practical guide for undergraduate and
postgraduate students. Palgrave Macmillan.
Ross, A. & Onwuegbuzie, A.J. 2014, “Complexity of quantitative analyses used in mixed
research articles published in a flagship mathematics education journal”, International
Journal of Multiple Research Approaches, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 63-73
Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. 2012. Research Methods for Business Students, 6th ed.
Pearson Learning Solutions.
Smith, T.A. 2014, “TESTING THEORY AND RELATED FACTORS FOR INFLUENCING
PROFICIENCY IN QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH”, Academy of Educational
Leadership Journal, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 117-128.
Sreejesh, S., Mohapatra, S. and Anusree, M.R., 2014. Business research methods. Springer
International Publishing AG.
