Chapter 3: Research Methodology
Introduction
The research methodology section is a road map that explains that how the research will be conducted and what techniques and tools will be followed. The major objectives of this section include the defining of the research and methodology that will be used for this research, describing the process that will be utilized in collecting data, description of techniques that will be used to analyze the collected data, and explaining the sample selection techniques. Detailing the course of action aims to effectively complete the research and draw a logical conclusion. This section will provide a detailed overview that how the research has been conducted and will allow the readers to take help from the section when an attempt to conduct further research on this topic by gathering data from different industries.
Overview
The purpose of this research is to analyze the differences between the leaders of generation Y and generation X in term of emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, and communication skills. The research method that will be used is quantitative research method because it will allow to measure things through statistical control so the conclusion will be more logical. It has been decided to use the descriptive research design for this research as increases the validity of data and decreases the biasness.
The target population decided to approach for this research include leaders and the chief executive officers (CEOs) from the healthcare industry. Purposive sampling technique will be used and data through close ended questionnaire will be collected that will be based on likert scale. For checking validly, pilot testing technique will be used and reliability will be checked through Cronbach’s Alpha test. for making analysis ANOVA technique will be used as ANOVA for analyzing the differences between groups is appropriate technique.
Purpose Statement
The purpose statement is a statement that set up the general direction for the inquiry. The term also known as aim or objective and communicate more than the problem’s nature. The statement of purpose proposes the manner in which the resolution of the problem is required. Every research is conducted with some purpose, and the purpose of the research can be descriptive, explanatory, exploratory, and even the research can be multipurpose.
The study with explanatory research purpose looks to explain the certain relationships and associate ideas for understanding the causes and effects. Explanatory research is based on hypothesis because it tests predictions and only can be conducted when researcher have enough knowledge regarding the topic. The exploratory research aims to explore facts and come into two forms either a new angle or new topic. For exploratory research, it is not pivotal that the question is unfamiliar; it also seeks to find out new ideas in already explored questions. However, descriptive research aims to describe the particular phenomenon; this research seeks to explain that what is happening rather than determining the causes of happenings (Gratton & Jones, 2004). Some researches hold multipurpose approach (Rubin & Babbie, 2013).
The objective of this study is to explain the existing facts based on primarily gathered data. The purpose of this study is to explore the way Gen Y leaders communicate and effectiveness of their communication. The purpose of the research is to determine the difference between the level of Emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, and communication of generation Y and generation X. Therefore, the research is not limited to a single purpose; this research is multipurpose because it intends to search for new facts and explain the existing ones. With the aim of determining the difference between the generation Y and generation X leaders, this research will explain that how the age and emotional intelligence influence the leaders of generation Y and baby boomers through gathering primary data.
Research Questions
Research questions are aligned with research purpose. The aim of the research is to assess the difference between generation Y and generation X in term of emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, and communication skills. Therefore, for the attainment if research three questions will be answered that are described as follow:
Q1: Is there any significant difference between the level of emotional intelligence between generation Y leaders and generation X leaders in the health care industries?
Q2: Is there any significant difference between the communication skills of generation Y and generation X leaders in the health care industries?
Q3: Is there any significant difference between the level of interpersonal skills between generation Y and generation X leaders in the health care industries?
Research Method:
For conducting research, selection of appropriate plan is critical because its includes numerous decisions regarding the utilization of research design and methods that lead towards the appropriate completion of study and help in making a sensible conclusion. The most common research approaches used by the researchers include qualitative research approach, quantitative and mixed research approach. Quantitative research is a deductive approach that aims to test the existing facts; however, qualitative research is an inductive approach that seeks to not only test existingfacts but also draw new results from primarily gathered data.
The aim of the research is the explanation, description, and evaluation of the differences that exist between the generation Y leaders and generation X leaders. Therefore, it has been decided that the quantitative research method will be used as this method will allow to measure things through statistical control rather just observing and interpreting the perceptions of others.The advantage of using the quantitative research method is that it allows researchers through recognizing the goals of developing the understanding to reflect what is actually happening in the practical world.
Research Design
A research design refers to a plan of action with the purpose of gathering and determining data in efficient, relevant, and economic manners. In other words, it is a systematic and logical plan organized to direct a research study. Selection of a research design is essential for analyzing, interpreting, and collecting information. Researchers use different sort of research designs such as descriptive research design, experimental research design, correlation research design, and exploratory research design (Aggarwal & Khurana, 2010).
The exploratory research design is used for unfamiliar problems about which no knowledge or little knowledge exists with the purpose of getting a deeper understanding of the topic. Experimental design assesses the effects of specific variables on an occurrence while others are constant. Application of these designs is completely based on the requirements of the research study. However, this research aims to explore, document and describe the relationship between generation Y and X leaders in respect to their communication and interpersonal skills. Therefore, descriptive research design will be appropriate as the research design has an ability to describe the phenomenon. Descriptive research design helps in increasing the validity of data and decreasing the biasness.
Moreover, this research design will not limit the data gathering and serve with the opportunity to explore the new aspects and explain the existing (Aggarwal & Khurana, 2010). Selection of an appropriate research design is mandatory for presenting accurate information and adequate description. Starting with descriptive research design will help in designing causal research design.
Population:
The population is the people about whom the researchers are interested, and they can reasonably generalize the results to them. The population can of two types, one is accessible population, and the second is targeted population. Targeted audience refers to the people that are necessary for responding the research questions.
The targeted audience is the people who will be approached for having the answers to the research related question and to whom questionnaire will be presented. However, the accessible population is the one that is easily accessible to the researcher for the objectives of the research, and they can directly draw a sample from them. In some cases, accessible audience and target audience are the same. For example, the target audience can be 10 people or can be 500. However, for the researchers sometimes due to budgetary constraints and limited time, it is not possible to study the all 500.
Therefore, they attempt to the specific audience from the target audience that is accessible, and the sample can be easily drawn from them. Selection of target audience is dependent upon the purpose of the research. For having accurate and meaningful answers - that can lead to a rational and responsible outcome - the smart selection of people is fundamental (Groves et al., 2011).As the aim of the research is to analyze that how the generation Y leaders differ from generation X therefore, the ideal target audience is the people who are performing the leadership role in the healthcare industry. In other words, the target population of the study is leaders and the chief executive officers (CEOs) from the healthcare industry. The aim of targeting these people is that they can better answer the questions because of their experience. Their answers will be helping in making a logical and authentic conclusion.
Sample:
Sampling refers to the selection of the representative proportion of the population. Thus, a sampling process that is carried out carefully helps in drawing a sample that represents the populations’ characteristics from which the model or sample is drawn (Suresh, 2015). The purpose of the sampling technique is to improve the quality of data, gather quick results of the study, and accurate data in economic manners.
Multiple options are available to researchers for the collection of data; however, sampling techniques can be divided into two major categories such as probability sampling technique and non-probability sampling techniques. Probability sampling techniques include simple random sampling, stratified sampling, cluster sampling, sequential sampling, and systematic random sampling. Non-probability sampling techniques include convenient sampling, quota sampling, snowball sampling, purposive sampling, and consecutive sampling (Engel & Schutt, 2009).
However, for this study, purposive sampling technique will be used. In purposive sampling, the sample selection is based on the purpose. The purpose of the study is to determine the differences between two groups that include generation Y and generation X. The purposive sampling allows the selection of the sample based on the unique position of the sample element. It allows studying the limited group of the entire population that is CEOs of the health care industry. The major purpose of selecting the purposive sampling technique is that it offers to target individuals who are specifically well informed regarding the issue.
Instrumentation
If the data collection sources are important, then selection of data collection instruments is also important. As it is decided that data will be gathered from the primary source; therefore, the questionnaire will be used as an instrument. The questionnaire will be based on the mix of open and close-ended questions. The Likert scale will be used to determine the opinion or attitude of the leaders. It will contain a number of statements with a scale after each statement. Usually, the value will range from 1 to 5. Where 1 will be lowest and 5 being the highest in agree level.
Validity-Reliability
Validity refers to the degree to which a data collection instruments measures for what it has been designed. It is rarely possible that any instrument is 100 percent valid. Therefore, researchers measure the validity through thedegree. Validation consists of data collection and assessment with the aim of analyzing the instrument’s accuracy. Researchers use diverse statistical measures and tests for the assessment of the validity of instruments that are quantitative. However, for this research pilot testing test will be used to determine the validity of data (Engel & Schutt, 2009).
Reliability refers to the consistency; it analyzes that either instrument is constantly measuring what it is expected to measure. Determining the data reliability is not possible, but researchers generally use four estimators that include:
Inter rater (the extent to which diverse raters or observers serve with similar estimates and answers), test-retest reliability (consistency in measures when evaluation is done over time), parallel forms reliability (when two forms of data produces identical or similar results), and internal consistency reliability (when researchers for measuring single dataset uses different tests). However, for measuring the reliability of data “Cronbach’s Alpha” test will be used as it will present the average score of split half combinations (Engel & Schutt, 2009).
Data Collection
The validity of research is an important factor, and data collection instruments are the factors that contribute to enhancing and decreasing the validity of data. This phase of the research is crucial in getting results; if the data collection tools are not appropriate, then it can result in wrong data collection that can lead towards damaging the validity of results. Therefore, like other research techniques, designs, and methodologies, selection of data collection instruments is also important. The data for this research will be collected through primary sources.
The questionnaire will be given to the chief executive officers from whom the appointment will be taken, and if in case it is not possible to meet them personally, then questionnaire will be sent through e-mail. Close ended questions will allow to have accurate data, and open-ended questions will help in exploring new ideas.
As the targeted population will be divided into age groups that will define generations; therefore, questionnaires of generation X leaders and generation Y leaders will be separated. After separating questionnaire, the analysis will be conducted that will help in making the comparison that how generation Y is different from generation X not only in emotional intelligencebut in communication and personal skills as well. This will also help in defining if any similarities or if any relation between them exists.
Data Analysis
The type of data that the study will produce is interval data. It is a systematic approach to investigate numerical data. As the close-ended questions will be asked from leaders and Likert scale technique will be used to have relevant answers. This sort of data will help in opening up the realm of statistical analysis.
Selection of statistical techniques is equally important as other factors because if the technique is not selectedwisely, then it can ruin the overall analysis and researchers may not be able to make a sensible conclusion, therefore; it is essential that an appropriate statistical analysis technique is used. The statistical technique that will be used called ANOVA (analysis of variance). This aim behind the utilization of this technique is to determine the differences between the two groups’ generation Y leaders and generation X leaders in better manners. ANOVA will allow us to break the groups according to the factors and determine the difference of these factors between these two generations’ leaders.
Ashby, Sadera, and McNacy (2011), in their research also used ANOVA for analyzing the differences between different learning environments. ANOVA is the best technique for comparing two or more than two groups (Kim, 2014).The advantage of using ANOVA is that it has an ability to test more than two samples at the same time. This is the most used statistical analysis technique in media or pharmaceutical industries. This technique will allow making clear conclusion by having clear difference between two groups. ANOVA is a familiar and easy way to analyze data (Mitchell & Jolley, 2012).
Limitations
Limitations refer to the factors that are not under the control of researchers; limitations are the shortcoming, influences, and conditions that place restrictions on the part of methodology and conclusion. It is essential to mention the limitations that may influence the results of the study. The first limitation will be the access to the wider range of leaders from the health care industry. The research will be limited to the opinion of few leaders. Another constraint is the limited time for the research. If we have a good time to gather data, so it will be possible to get access to the maximum target audience. The third limitation of the research is that it is limited to the health care industry so the conclusion cannot be applied to all industry.
References
Aggarwal, S. C., & Khurana, S. K. (2010). Research Methodology and Statistical Analysis(for M. Com). FK Publications.
Ashby, A., Sadera, W. A., & McNacy, S. W. (2011). Comparing student success between developmental math courses offered online, blended and face to face. Journal of Interactive Online Learning. 10(3), 128-140.
Engel, R. J., & Schutt, R. K. (2009). Fundamentals of Social Work Research. USA: SAGE
Gratton, C., & Jones, I. (2004). Research Methods for Sport Studies. New York: Psychology Press.
Groves, R. M., Fowler, F. J., Couper, M. P., Lepkowski, J. M., Singer, E., & Tourangeau, R. Survey Methodology. USA: John Wiley & Sons.
Kim, H. (2014). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) comparing means of more than two groups. NCBI. 39(1). 74-77.
Mitchell, M. L., & Jolley, J. M. (2012). Research Design Explained. USA: Cengage Learning
Rubin, A., & Babbie, E. (2013). Research Methods for Social Work. USA: Cengage Learning.
Suresh, S. (2015). Nursing Research and Statistics. Elsevier Health Sciences.
