Research Method Assignment B
Introduction
With the growing numbers of motor vehicle in every city, it is evident that people are getting more reliant on private vehicles when it comes to meeting their travelling needs. One of the cities or location that holds this situation is Kuwait, from which more and more people depend on their private vehicles as they claim that it is more reliable to drive or ride on their private cars than to take the city’s public transport. While the public transport in Kuwait aims to provide better service to their people, there are still many citizens who do not rely on this. Relatively, there are various reasons as to why some of Kuwaitis are not reliant to the city’s public transport and still continue to use their private vehicle.
This study will further discuss the theories and ideas that were previously presented in order to analyze and form a proposal in terms of influencing the Kuwaitis mode of transport. This study aims to change the Kuwaitis preference when it comes to travelling and provide essential ideas as to why people have to switch from using their private vehicles to public transport. Additionally, a clear set of study aims will be presented, which were adapted from the previous study. The method of study, which is a combination of quantitative and qualitative approach will be used in order to justify the actual manner of gathering data. Survey will enable the gathering of pertinent information in relation to choice of mode of transportation will also be justified. This study argues that the research method to be used will be appropriate in terms of its usability and capability towards creation of research proposal about mode of transportation choice in Kuwait.
Aim of the Study / Objectives
This research originally aimed to establish a thorough study about the behavior of Kuwaitis in terms of the preferred mode of transportation, which was done using various review of the literatures pertaining to the factors that affect the Kuwaitis behavior when it comes to travelling. The aim of this assignment is to provide justification as to how the research method can be useful in gathering information to analyze the Kuwaitis’ transportation behavior. This also aims to provide additional information as to how survey method can be used in achieving the overall goal of this study, which is to change the Kuwaitis behavior in terms of choosing public transport when travelling instead of using private vehicles.
Furthermore, survey method will reveal the underlying reasons more than just answering the questions included in such survey, in relation to the study’s overall objective. The justification of the research method also represents this study’s additional aim, which is the analogy of related ethical issues that were anticipated as well as the factors that can be used to address such issues. It is also important that the inclusion of potential risks in the research aims should be discussed, as it is presumable that every methodology used in every research has its own risks and limitations. Therefore, we also aim to provide influential factors that will help in managing the identified risk associated with the study’s chosen methodology. Lastly, we aim to present a clear work plan in relation to completing the research proposal and milestones by presenting steps on how this study will accomplish the overall goal of this research.
Review of the Literature
People are being affected with various influential factors. It is normal that humans will make a decision based on what he or she thinks is right as well as what they think would be beneficial for them. Personal gain is usually considered when it comes to making decisions. This study reveals such factors that greatly affect the Kuwaitis’ decision when it comes to travelling. Going from one place to another is a physical activity that normally requires a mode of transportation, such as cars, buses, trains, or planes. In the city of Kuwait, mode of transportation varies. City buses offer comfortable service that will take a person from one place to another. There are also trains that are available in the city that can be used by commuters. This offers travelling service that will take the person from point A to point B, but will not be able to drop the person exactly to where he tends to go, unlike the door to door travel using a private vehicle. It is a representation of a behavior or attitude that influences their choice to gain personal benefit, such as acquiring more comfort.
In order to arrive to a conclusive analogy of the issue, it is better to discuss other significant factors, such as Kuwait’s public transport condition, other environmental impacts of too much private car use, as well as the effective strategies that will help in motivating Kuwaitis to choose public transport instead of private vehicle. Savsar, Atash, and Alnaqi (n.d.) stated that bus scheduling, to which an issue was raised pertaining to the bus routing.
This is in relation to Kuwaitis’ decision to use private vehicles instead of public transport as there are no definite route, as the bus schedule depends on season, time of the day, and even the days of the week. Relatively, the changing schedule of the city bus affects the satisfaction of the commuters. Cantwell, Caufield, and O’Mahony (2009) said that there were some studies showing that riding a private vehicle or commuting using a public transport is relevant to a person’s psycho-physiological parameters. To simply put, the level of stress changes depending on the mode of transportation that a person chooses. It was also revealed that the stress level is higher when commuting (Cantwell, Caufield & O’Mahony, 2009).
Said (1992) stated that it is normal for the working population to use their private vehicles as they are the ones who can normally afford to buy their own private cars. One of the proposed solution is through motivating the Kuwaitis to choose public transport instead of private vehicle. To do that, it is important to get people’s perception about public transport and how they want to change their behavior. It was also mentioned in previous study, which was included in Assignment A, the doubts that encompass the goal of reducing private car dependence in Kuwait. The previous study conducted by Newman (1996) shows successful efforts of other nations in terms of reducing the car dependence of the people.
The government must deliver the behavioral change programs that are created according to goals of car dependence reduction (transportplan.sa.gov.au). It is also important to motivate using programs that will promote carpooling. More importantly, the condition of mass transport system must be improved across all modes of transportation, whether it is a bus or train.
It is also a good idea to provide incentives to people who will portray behavioral change towards choosing their mode of transportation. Babinard (2012) stated that providing incentives, even if it is not in the form of monetary, will change the people’s pattern when it comes to commuting. Thus, developed countries Kuwait will be able to create additional incentive programs that will change the people’s behavior as they are capable of providing either monetary incentive or high level of improvement across all modes of transportation, such as trains and buses. The government of Kuwait may also opt to provide better regulations to further improve the condition of public transport in the city. Furthermore, in the event that the government is able to promote and increase the number of Kuwaitis who use the public transport, there must be a sustainability approach in order to keep the commuters from using their private cars. A sustainable public transport is a good sign that the government provides mass transport system for its people. Thus, a well-sustained mode of public transportation will encourage the people to patronize the government infrastructure, such as the improved public transportation.
Justification of Methodology Used
In this study the methodology used in gathering important information is through survey. This approach helps in obtaining essential facts about the Kuwaitis’ behavior about their choice of mode of transportation. Unlike relying on various research and literature, survey empowers the research’s credibility in terms of gathering direct feedback from the participants of the study. This survey approach will be done by conducting an interview with some of the transportation department’s managers or officers-in-charge as well as interviews with the managers of public transportation companies. In definition, survey is a method of research that collect information from a person or a group through the application of standardized manner of asking questions (Office of Planning and Institutional Assessment, 2006). Although many individuals think that the actual questions included in the survey is the actual survey itself, it is only a small part of the whole process.
Instead of asking the participants directly about their travelling behavior, survey methods may provide pertinent internal units that will identify the exact reason as to why they possess such transportation behavior. Moreover, Wyse (2012) suggests that there are various benefits in using survey in a research, in this case, obtaining the possible behavioral change over transportation choice.
In terms of cost, survey method is relatively inexpensive compared to other forms of research. The interview survey process can be done online using the internet. It can be sent to targeted participants’ email. Also, survey interviews can also be sent through mail, which will be sent back to the research facility where the study is being taken. On the other hand, the extensiveness of survey method has the ability to describe the characteristics of the target population, thus, no other research methodology can give this wide capability (Wyse, 2012).
The objective of this study must be done using dependable information coming from the literature and the participants using a survey method. This method is also known for its dependability as it allows the respondents to answer the questions candidly. Therefore ensuring the high quality of answers needed for drawing up conclusion about the issue being studied. Survey method is indeed the appropriate method for this study to obtain the Kuwaitis’ decision to choose either public transport or private vehicle in connection to its environmental effects. Specifically, it will help in obtaining the views of the managers from both public transportation companies and officers of transportation department.
Summary of Ethical Issues
Survey methods is justified as an essential part for the completion of this study. However, similar to other research methodology, survey may have its own ethical issues that must be addressed. Due to economic growth of Kuwait, it enables numerous businesses to grow that also calls for additional man-power. Presumably, some companies may tend to hire foreign employees for a long-term contract. Others may tend to stay in Kuwait for a longer period, thus, they are part of the survey that was done to obtain the data. In relation, one of the ethical concerns that encompasses this research would be about cross-cultural surveys involving human as sources of information (Alcser et al., 2011).
Although this ethical concern may not be as significant as the others, it is still worth addressing in order to ensure that the data will be collected are reliable and valid, regardless of who provided the information. For as long as the participant fits the categories of being part of the research survey, there should not be any issues about his or her cultural background.
Another ethical consideration about this method is the protection of rights of free will and privacy (Alcser et al., 2011). It is important that these attributes must be protected. Therefore, in order to address this concern, the research must not disclose any personal information provided by the respondent. Their personal identity should not be included in the research findings and results to keep their lives private. This concern can also be addressed by reminding the respondents that they are not obliged to provide their identity and other information if they find it too personal to divulge. In that case, the research process will provide more accuracy as the participants are able to provide honest answers due to their anonymity.
Potential Risk
Survey method holds various risks to respondents. The question pertaining to the potential risks on survey respondents is an element, which continues to be questioned by the IRB or institutional review board (Labott et al., 2013). The reason behind this idea is that there were some documented cases wherein the respondents hold pre-existing emotional susceptibilities. Which is why, in conducting this research method to Kuwaitis and other people involved in the study, it is important that not only the ethical concerns must be addressed. It is also important to note the potential risk of conducting surveys.
Another risk that encompass the survey method is inter-related to ethical concerns about privacy of the respondents. The respondents must provide with informed consent prior to the participation to the study. Thus, along with the consent are the content of the survey as well as the potential risk. Therefore, if the respondent decided not to participate due to such risks, then it is likely that the survey will not push through. On the other hand, some participants may feel insecure with the method of answering interview questions despite the reminder that their anonymity will be preserved. Some respondents feel that there are greater risks when it comes to their participation (Singer, 2004).
Work Plan
In order to achieve the goals of this study, several steps will be taken. It is essential that the consideration on important parts of this research will be included in order to ensure the validity of every result in relation to the conclusive analysis of the issue.
Creating a concrete goal would be the initial part of the plan in order to set a direction for the completion of the research. By creating a goal means establishing a work habit that will benefit the completion of the research.
The initial step is the gathering of important data in relation to how Kuwaitis can change their behavior from using a private car to public transport. This action can be done through gathering of related literature that will provide specific information that will lead to further understanding of Kuwaitis’ transportation behavior. However, it is important that the information will be obtained are reliable using reliable sources, such as government websites and other peer reviewed journals. In that case, the analysis will have strong bases coming from these sources.
In addition, the survey interviews will be formulated according to important matters that will contribute to the drawing of conclusion about the issue. Once the important pieces of data are gathered, there must be a test plan included to the work plan, such as creating a draft of the research and revising it afterwards. In this case, this study will provide an enhanced work that will emphasize the important parts of the research.
Lastly, after the work has been done, there must be at least two or three times that the paper must be re-read so as to ensure that there will be no gray areas left and to ensure that every information will be clear. Setting up a work plan is ideal for the completion of the research in timely manner without compromising the quality of its content.
Conclusion
Changing the behavior of Kuwaitis when it comes to their choice of mode of transportation can be a challenge. However, planning and forming the research can be as challenging as it involves various steps, including the important factors that must be considered, such as the current condition of the public transportation, people’s attitude towards the environment, and even their personal preference in terms of travelling comfort. The research method that is planned to be used, which is the survey method is viewed and justified as an essential approach in obtaining pertinent data in forming a conclusive analysis in relation to Kuwaitis’ preference as well as the potential change of behavior and otherwise. Using effective approach of gathering data, the study will be able to achieve its aims and sets of objectives in more efficient and clearer methods.
References
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