Introduction
The methodology is a systematic and critical discussion of the methods and procedures used to research a particular area. This chapter discusses the design and methods of the research process in detail along with the justification for selecting them.
Research Approach
The research approach is positivism; it is an empiricist view that considers that knowledge stems from human experience. The primary benefit of positivism is that it grants the required objectivity to the study by nullifying the role of human interest and the researcher's involvement. Crowther and Lancaster(2008) opined that positivist studies employ a deductive approach, and the researcher concentrates on facts, compared to the phenomenological approach that focuses on human interest and meaning. Phenomenological approach was not chosen because it would have yielded subjective results. Also, it would have increased the possibility of bias in the study.
Research Strategy
Qualitative and quantitative types are two main categories of research strategy. Quantitative data appears in the mathematical/numerical form, and its analysis is done statistically. Qualitative research, conversely, is a descriptive non-numerical way to collect data for the research. It delves deeper into ways how people work, manage, and live their lives. Qualitative research involves inductive reasoning.
A detailed qualitative study is helpful in identifying personal themes that are better dealt by an open and inclusive approach. Nevertheless, researchers have enunciated that qualitative research can be too subjective, and difficult to replicate(Taylor, 2005). Conversely, the quantitative approach involves data collection by way of objective methods including quantitative surveys with closed-ended questions. Though this approach imparts objectivity to the research, it narrows down the scope of the study.
This research study primarily employs the quantitative method. It will allow the researcher to collect data from a large sample of 100 participants that may not be possible if the research study is based only on qualitative methods. Additionally, using mathematical methods of data collection will reduce the scope of errors and biases; it will help in generalizing the results by imparting the required objectivity to the subject.
The qualitative strategy was also not chosen for its infeasibility. The researcher is placed in the UK and the participants are located in Saudi Arabia. Hence, face-to-face interviews were neither feasible nor possible.
Data Collection
Primary data has been collected using quantitative surveys with closed-ended questions. The survey was floated to 100 participants using an online website, surveymonkey.com.
The choice of close-ended questions is practical and in sync with overall research design. Open-ended responses are difficult to code and require more time and resources than close-ended questions. Surveys are the best method when data needs to be collected from a large sample and questions are clearly determined. There are various ways a survey can be floated, i.e., e-mail attachments, web-based online system, computer-assisted calling.
One of the biggest advantages of using an online survey is that allows the researcher to view results as they are collected in real-time. Furthermore, data collection by way of surveys is one of the least expensive methods. The method is convenient and has high representativeness that makes it easier to identify statistically significant methods compared to other modes of data gathering.
Secondary data has been collected by conducting a detailed review of existing literature. It facilitated detailed assessment of the research topic and helped the researcher in identifying key questions for research (Bui, 2013). Various external and internal sources including books, published cases, peer-reviewed articles, newspapers, magazines, the internet, internal records of schools, and journal articles have been referred to for the purpose of collecting secondary data. As it's hard to conduct research solely on primary data, relevant opinions of different authors have been cited to have a broad overview of the subject.
Research Design
Most of the research designs can be classified in terms of their purpose, i.e., exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory. Descriptive studies are useful in describing some phenomenon, event, or people. The exploratory design is useful when the research is conducted to answer unclear questions on which little theory is available for guidance.
This paper adopts a mix of explanatory and descriptive studies. The process is structured and specifically designed to measure the characteristics described in each of the research questions. Hypotheses have been derived from the theory, and it will guide the research process as a whole.
Additionally, it is explanatory because it aims to explain the relationship between different variables( demographic and non-demographic) and job satisfaction. Exploratory design was not selected as the research needed an objective conclusion which was not possible in case of exploratory design.
Sampling
Sampling techniques provide ways that allow the researcher to reduce the amount of data. It deducts the time pertaining to research and makes the process more manageable. The sample of 100 teachers for this research has been taken from Primary School Unit in Saudi Arabia.
Stratified random sampling has been employed to get the maximum representation of the population. Theoretically, this sampling method conflates simple random and systematic sampling and assumes the merits and demerits of both. While it may take a longer time to categorize and select participants, it is advantageous because it proportionally represents the whole population. With this method, it is also possible to do inter-group comparisons.
The sampling frame has been divided by hierarchical status of different teachers. Teachers on the basis of tenure have been categorized to get a deeper insight into all levels.
Data Analysis
Survey results have been analyzed using Surveymonkey by applying mathematical methods, graphics, and charts. Percentages for each question has been generated to identify the numbers of people who have responded to each query. Authors has vindicated it as a versatile strategy that allows in-depth analysis of the answers leading to valid and successful results.
Research Limitation
The primary limitation is that the research has not employed qualitative techniques, and is solely based on descriptive statistics. Structured closed-ended questionnaire cannot obtain various subjective opinions and there always remain chances of inaccurate information.
Though stratified sampling has been employed to ensure the high representation, there are huge people who are left out in the drive. Hence, generalization may not exhibit accurate conclusion. Last but not the least, no statistical tool like SPSS has been used. Though it has been tried to get the accurate results, statistical tools always give better chances of accuracy.
Ethical Considerations
A research process may encounter several ethical issues. Fisher and Buglear(2010) have mentioned that participants must be duly infomed and their consent should be made prior to sharing their answers/opinions with anyone. Persuasive techniques should not be used and gathered information gathered should not be exposed, even under stressful events.
The research procedure properly maintains the privacy, anonymity, and confidentiality of participants. Data will be destroyed at the end of the research and all files will also be deleted so as to maintain the confidentiality of responses.
Conclusion
The research has a holistic methodology that includes a descriptive research design, positivist approach, quantitative surveys of data collection, and a sample of 100 teachers selected via stratified random sampling. Surveys were sent using Weblinks and Arabic translations were done in some cases. Efforts were made to maximize the objectivity and generalizability of results.
The next chapter, Findings and Analysis, presents and analyzes the primary data using mathematical procedures. The conclusion will be drawn based on the available literature and results drawn out of the primary data.
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