Transcript - Home - Autobiography of Ali Hassan Toor

Session Objectives

After this session you will be able to
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Understand what is meant by research design
What are its different elements
How to write design elements
What is a proposal
Why to write a proposal
How to write a proposal
Azra Naheed Center for Research and Development
Superior University Lahore
3
Session Outline

Research design







Introduction
Purpose statement
Objectives of the research
Significance of the study
Methodology and Methods
Research questions and hypothesis
limitations and delimitation
 Ethical consideration
Proposal
 why proposal
 Structure of proposal
Azra Naheed Center for Research and Development Superior University Lahore
4
Research topics
1.
What type of format should a radio station adopt?
2.
Which songs should a radio station play
3.
What type of hosts do listeners want on a radio station’s morning show
4.
How do viewers evaluate a television pilot for new TV show
5.
Why is a current TV program not performing as well as was planned
6.
How effective is advertising on TV, radio, and in all types of print
7.
Which ads do readers see most often in their local newspaper
8.
Why are newspaper subscriptions declining
9.
What should a politician include in campaign messages?
10.
Who should be the spokesperson for a new consumer product
11.
Who should be the host of a new TV game show
12.
Are there more violent acts on TV now than 5 years ago
13.
What are the elements of successful magazine cover page
14.
Why don’t employees read their company’s internal newspaper
15.
Media, crime, and criminal justice: images, realities, and policies
RESEARCH DESIGN
A plan of what data to gather, from whom, how and when to
collect the data, and how to analyze the data obtained

Components of Research Design
 Introduction
 Purpose statement
 Objectives of the research
 Significance of the study
 Methodology and Methods
 Research questions and hypothesis
 Limitations and delimitation
The Introduction
Introduction is the opening part of the proposal that justifies
the problem to be researched and clarifies the significance of
the proposed study in order to establish a framework for
research.

Components of introduction
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
2-Nov-15
Background of the study
The research problem
Studies that have addressed the problem
Deficiencies in the studies
The significance of the study
Azra Naheed Center for Research and Development
Superior University Lahore
7
E
x
a
m
p
l
e
Over the past ten to fifteen years, various arguments have been made
that firm’s human resources may be its sole source of sustainable
competitive advantage(Ferris et al, 1999). The way in which internal
resources contribute toward a firm achieving sustainable competitive
advantage has become known as resource based view (Barney & Arikan,
2001) the resource base approach contends that organizations can
develop a sustained competitive advantage only if its activities create
value in a unique way, one that competitors cannot easily copy (Barney,
1991) this approach has been used as the theoretical grounding that
posits that HRM can have a positive impact on firm performance (Wright
et al, 2001). Therefore HRM has now become the crucial ingredient in the
development process of the developing countries like Pakistan. Benell
(1994) and Budhwar and Debrah (2001) disclosed that many developing
countries are trapped by outdated and ineffective HR systems that put
unintended roadblocks in their way………….Quality of Education is one
of the major factors accelerating the development of a country and is the
most important instrument in achieving the desired objectives of
economic development. (Economic Survey of Pakistan: 2005z-06)……. In
this regards, the role of teachers, as well as their performance in attaining
and maintaining the quality of education is above any question……..
E
x
a
m
p
l
e
Though much budget is spent on the administrative side of higher
education development (curricula development, re-structuring, etc.),
less attention is given to the underlying dimensions of Teachers
performance…….. . Therefore, the present study is aim to explore the
perceptions of teacher’s performance in higher education sector of
Pakistan using HR practices: recruitment, training, growth
opportunities, rewards, and participation. Therefore, the present study
is aim to explore the perceptions of teacher’s performance in higher
education sector of Pakistan using HR practices: recruitment, training,
growth opportunities, rewards, and participation. With all these issues
in mind the main purpose of this sequential mixed methods study is to
explore teacher’s views about HRM practices and performance in first
phase with intent of using this information in the second phase to
generalize the findings. In particular, most of the research exploring
the HR practices-performance relationship has focused on the
development countries & manufacturing industry. Too few studies have
focused on developing countries and performance at employee level.
Purpose Statement
The purpose statement indicates “why you want to do the
study and what you intend to accomplish”(Locke et al, 2000)
Why Purpose Statement
It is the most important statement in an entire research study.
• It conveys the overall intention of a proposed study.
• It establishes the direction for the research.
Qualitative Research
In qualitative research we use the worlds like explore, understand, or
discover and we have focus on single phenomena.
Quantitative Research
In quantitative research we use words like determine, identify, or
compare and we have focus on comparing and relating two or more
variables.
Mixed Methods Research
In Mixed methods research we focus on both qualitative and quantitative
research and mention the design with rationale
Azra Naheed Center for Research and Development
Superior University Lahore
10
E
x
a
m
p
l
e
In order for higher educational institutions to be successful they must
be able to employ people who will stay with the business and perform
at high levels, research indicates that employees who are committed
and satisfied with the organization are more likely to perform well. So
the implementation of HRM practices is one way that educational
institutions can build commitment & satisfaction among teachers to
enhance performance. Therefore, The purpose of this two
phase, sequential mixed methods study will be, firstly to
explore and understand the teacher’s perception and
viewpoint about HRM practices and performance in the
Higher Education Sector of Pakistan and to further
explore the organizational factors that support the
optimum performance among the teachers using Semistructured interview. Secondly, themes from the
qualitative data will then be used to develop a
questionnaire to quantify the findings and furthermore
to examine whether the both findings complement
each other or not.
Objectives of the study
Objectives are the steps you are going to take to answer
your research questions to fulfill the purpose of the
research study
Objectives can be


2-Nov-15
Main objectives
Sub objectives
Azra Naheed Center for Research and Development
Superior University Lahore
12
The objectives of this research study are as follows
E
x
a
m
p
l
e

To explore teacher’s view on performance that how
they define performance and what they see as good,
bad or acceptable performance.

To explore teacher’s experiences about HRM
practices and how they feel about these practices?

To explore teacher’s opinion about organizational
factor that contributes to their performance.

To establish the basis for evolving effective and
performance oriented human resource practices.

To facilitate the policy making bodies to evolve a
comprehensive view of teacher’s performance and
thus undertake necessary administrative adjustments.
Significance of the study

A significance sections elaborates on the importance and
implication of a study for researcher, practitioners, and
policy maker. In designing the section one might include
◦ 3 or 4 ways in which the study adds to scholarly research and
literature in the field
◦ 3 or 4 ways in which the study helps improve practice
◦ 3 or 4 reasons why the study will improve policy
2-Nov-15
Azra Naheed Center for Research and Development
Superior University Lahore
14
E
x
a
m
p
l
e
The present study will be significant in number of ways. It
will contribute to the body of knowledge by:
 Firstly, since the present area is highly under researched in
Pakistan. No study has been found to explore the HR
perceptions in teacher’s performance in educational setting
of Pakistan. Therefore, the present study assumes that the
findings of the present study will help the managers in
universities of Pakistan in particular and those in
developing countries in general to answer the long standing
question of how to enhance teacher’s performance.
 Secondly, no research has been found on organizational
commitment and satisfaction as mediators of HR practices
and performance conducted in educational setting and
especially in Pakistan. Therefore, the present study will
prove to be a significant contribution in this area with the
assumption that fostering organizational commitment and
satisfaction among academic staff has become important or
rather becomes imperative for the universities in Pakistani
context (Chughtai & Zafar, 2006)

E
x
a
m
p
l
e



the present study will aim to provide guidelines to
education managers to come up with the policies which
would enable them to attract and retain their top level
faculty at their respective universities. Thus Identifying
those HRM practices that tend to enhance commitment
and satisfaction which leads to teacher’s performance
would be a significant
benefit for the management of Educational institutions
and similarly it will enhance the quality of education.
Employing mix methods research which has not been
used in this area and hence this will be a significant
methodological advancement.
Examining the applicability of the discussed Western
concepts and theories in an Eastern developing country
(Pakistan) in order to develop a cross-contextual
generalization of these concepts.
Methodology and Methods
The methodology includes the methods, procedures, and
techniques used to collect and analyze information.
It should generally include statements about:
◦ Site and sample
◦ Methods of data collection
◦ Data analysis procedures
Why Methodology
◦ it clarifies the procedures and methods of data collection
and analysis
◦ It increases the efficiency and authenticity of the research

E
x
a
m
p
l
e
The most important thing in the selection of approach is the
nature of research problem as my research problem is twofold
in nature. So I have decided to choose mixed methods research
approach as to accommodate my first objective of exploring
and understanding the complexity of the contextual variances in
context of Pakistan. I will use interpretivism as a research
philosophy and use semi-structured interview method under
the umbrella of qualitative paradigm. Then to cope with my
second objective i.e. to deal with the validity, reliability, and
generalizability, positivism will be chosen supported by survey
method in the circumference of quantitative paradigm.
Furthermore this decision is supported by the rationale of
availing the merits and overcoming the demerits of both
approaches as discussed by Creswell (2003), the use of multiple
data sets can inform the research, by yielding insight and
methodological changes that improve the study and strengthen
findings as well as collecting diverse types of data best provides
an understanding of a research problem.

E
x
a
m
p
l
e
Selecting Mixed Methods Approach on the basis of
Pragmatic Knowledge Claims I have decided to collect
the qualitative and quantitative data in phases using
Sequential Exploratory Design in sequential strategies.
A visual view of the sequential strategy is as follows
During this process qualitative data will be collected
using semi-structured interviews in the first phase of
the study through open ended questions supported by
probes and prompts to get deep insights and to keep
the respondent on track respectively with time and
cost saving approach resulting categorization for
thematic as well as descriptive analysis. purposeful
sampling will be used to choose experienced
respondents regarding the phenomena under
consideration.
Theory
Theory is the standard principle that defines the
relationship of two or more variables
Qualitative Research:
In case of qualitative research theory is an outcome of the
whole research process by finding the answers to the
research questions
Quantitative Research
In case of quantitative research theory is used as bases to
be verified through the acceptance or rejection of
hypothesis using statistical results.
Mixed Methods Research
in case of Mixed Methods Research theory is both
developed and also verified.
2-Nov-15
Azra Naheed Center for Research and Development
Superior University Lahore
20
The present study will utilize the theoretical
concept of Social Exchange Theory(Blau, 1964) and
norms of reciprocity (Gouldner, 1960) and
expectancy theory which will form the theoretical
basis of the research. The social exchange theory
and norms of reciprocity will be used to explain
the basis of employee commitment and satisfaction
as researchers have noted that exchange ideology
and norms of
 reciprocity significantly increase satisfaction and
commitment among employees (Witt, 1992; Witt et
al, 2001). Furthermore, the Expectancy theory
provides evidence that links HRM practices to
processes that facilitate high individual performance
(Guest, 1997).

E
x
a
m
p
l
e
Research Questions and Hypothesis

Research
questions

Hypothesis are predictive statements that
are interrogative
statements or questions that the researcher
seeks to answer
the researcher holds about the relationship
among variables to be tested
2-Nov-15
Azra Naheed Center for Research and Development
Superior University Lahore
22
(Main question)
 HRM practices and performance among
teachers in Pakistan.
(Sub questions)
 What are the teacher’s experiences about
Human Resource management Practices and
how they feel about that?
 How do teachers perceive about their own
performance and what they perceive as good,
bad or acceptable performance?
 What are the teacher’s opinions about
organizational factors that contribute to their
performance?
Limitations and Delimitations

Limitations:
possible weaknesses of the study that were not /
could not be controlled.

Delimitations:
boundaries set by the researcher that limit the
generalizability of findings.
2-Nov-15
Azra Naheed Center for Research and Development Superior
University Lahore
24
Limitations and Delimitations:
Due to limitations of resources
 This study is restricted to the Teachers with 02 or more years of
experience (02 years are supposed to be minimum)
 This study is restricted only to the teachers of higher education sector
in Pakistan.
 :
Ethical Considerations
Ethics are the standards of behavior to be adopted while
interacting to other people during research in a way that
 People must be respected and seen not as passive
sources of data but as people whose rights and
welfare must be protected.
 Physical risk, psychological harm must be minimized.
 Risks and benefits from studies should be distributed
fairly and evenly in populations.
Why Ethical Considerations
The aim of discussing research ethics is to encourage
integrity in the conduct of business Research and
practices among of scientists, scholars, and professionals
2-Nov-15
Azra Naheed Center for Research and Development Superior
University Lahore
26
E
x
a
m
p
l
e
The following ethical issues will be kept under consideration during the
research process and aftermaths
 Determining the problem statement it is been ensured through pilot
study that the research would benefit the individuals been studied and
further it will be ensured that the participants would not be marginalized
or disempowered at any step.
 The purpose of study is made clear and simple to be easily understood by
the readers as well as the respondents to avoid any ambiguity at any end.
 While anticipating the data collection, the wellbeing of the respondents
will be ensured through securing their right to participate and withdraw
at any time voluntarily.
 Precisely yet comprehensive information (Debriefing) will be provided to
respondents in order to make them clear about all aspects, objectives and
outcomes of the research.
 Mutual consent form, permission letter and any other written approval if
needed will be dually signed by both the researcher and the respondent.
 Prior time adjustment will be made in order to avoid any interruption in
the flow at research site.
 It will be made sure to secure and protect the information gathered from
respondent to avoid any harmful consequences for them

E
x
a
m
p
l
e



Through well managed coding labeling and recording system
the anonymity (if desired by the respondent) of the
respondent will be guaranteed.
Prior permission will be taken regarding the storage of data
after the completion of the study for a certain time period in
the ownership of the researcher.
In order to overcome the potential ethical issues in writing
the research regarding use of language, suppressing, falsifying
or other fraudulent practices
the complete details (in coding and anonymous form) will be
released so that the reader would determine by himself the
credibility of the study.
Proposal
Proposal is the written document that describes the topic,
Problem, design, and methodologies to be adopted to
conduct the proposed research.
Why Proposal
The development of proposal for any research study is
essential because
• It allows the researcher to plan and review the steps of
the project.
• It serves as a guide throughout the investigation.
• It forces time and budget estimates
Structure of a Proposal
Outline of the structure of a proposal
1. Title
2. Introduction
• Background of the study (Sectoral Brief)
• The research problem
• Studies that have addressed the problem
• Deficiencies in the studies
• The significance of the study
• The purpose statement
3. Purpose
• The purpose or study, aim of the project and reasons for the research design
• The research questions and hypotheses
4. Philosophical Foundations
worldview and philosophical assumptions for using specific research approach.
5. Literature Review
6. Theoretical Framework
7. Methodology and Methods
• Site and sample
• Data collection procedures
• Data analysis procedures
8. Potential Ethical issues
9. Reference and appendixes