Qualitative vs Quantitative Data: A Comparison - Essay Sample

Introduction

Qualitative data will be used to forms lines of qualitative inquiry. Whereas, the quantitative approach is found to be consistent with the deductive research approach. Qualitative methods gather verbal, observation, and written discourse data and information but not numerical and statistical. There is an excellent use of holistic analysis in the interpretation of study findings.

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The quantitative method of gathering data is based on quantifying relationships existing among quantifiable variables, and statistics and numerical data. Hence, considered different entities; consequently, prejudice and bias are minimized. By emphasizing the use of quantitative methods, a specific study topic is maintained giving realistic, accurate results (Iqbal, Guohao, and Akhtar 2017). Moreover, the various problems associated with qualitative study method are minimized.

Quantitative research is achieved through primary data collection methods, such as observation and sampling. Secondary methods such as questionnaire can be employed to familiarise the target population with the research topic. The participants of the study drew from four units of the SPF amounting to 75 participants. The participants undertaking the survey answered the structured questions which were more precise and non-ambiguous. Through the use of a mixed-methods approach, a more accurate set of results can be achieved by using more than one research method in the study.

Time Horizon

For the next layer of the onion, the researcher adopts cross-sectional studies for the research. As stated by Saunders et al. (2009) cross-sectional study of a phenomenon (or phenomena) at any given time and often employ the survey strategy (Saunders et al. 2009). Cross-sectional timing was used to conduct the research conducted in 12 weeks. Due to time constraints, the researcher found the quantitative research method most appropriate in ensuring data is collected on time for analysis.

Techniques and Procedures, and Research Instruments

The final layer of the research onion refers to methods and systems. In this research, both primary and secondary research was used. The process of data collection makes use of secondary research through the questionnaires. The questionnaire distributed in this study can be found in Appendix A. Primary data is found to be the significant part of this project, although gathering of primary evidence is time-consuming and involves elevated cost, it was chosen as it was found suitable to meet the requirements of the study. First-hand information was obtained from the survey process, and the response from participants was recorded. The close-ended questionnaire was put into practice since it limits the responded to stick within the study topic. To ensure accurate collection of data and information, the questionnaire was divided into two segments; the profile section and proper survey. The profile section was based on the social and demographic characteristics related to the respondents. For instance, gender, age, years as an employee and the position held. Whereas, the proper survey section was based on employee perception with regards to job satisfaction. The main point of focus was on its reliability and suitability as a tool for employee retention. The structuring of the questions was done in a way that four options are made available for either of the questions provided. The four possibilities represented the severity of agreement to questions asked. Whereby choice five to one represented "Strongly Agree," "Agree," "neither agree nor disagree," "Disagree," and "Strongly Disagree," respectively. The participants in the study are expected to give unbiased opinions on their daily duties and express the level of job satisfaction in their working environment. The personal views from the participants should include their beliefs, reactions, and diverse roles as employees in their working place.

However, secondary research will make use of relevant academic literature, reports, and other articles. The secondary data types were gathered from HR Audit reports 2017 and SPF HR survey 2015 conducted by the SPF, published and relevant to the study topic. Other published documents referred for the study include SPF newsletters from the year 2015 to the current time, based on the level of employee retention. Johnson (2014) argues that analyzing secondary data gives the researchers the advantage of engaging in the task of testing new theories, ideas, models, and frameworks of the research design.

Microsoft Excel software application has been chosen as another research instrument for data visualization, such as graphical presentation, charts, and pictorial methods. The process of handling data began with editing the information obtained; exercise was very significant as clarifications were made, especially for the cases where the respondents were ambiguous. A descriptive statistic such as frequencies and percentages were used to display data in summary form, tables, and charts. Excel was chosen because it is software widely used to ensure the natural generation of interests, while tables and graphs were used in the analysis and interpretation of data.

Pre-Testing

To remove ambiguities, the questionnaire was pre-tested on 15 employees of the SPF. A pilot study is a vital phase in the study since it helps in identifying probable sources of errors, defaults in the study instruments and protocol before implementation in the final research. A pilot study is described by Bell (1996, cited in Naoum, 2013) as getting the bugs out of the research instrument so that subjects in the primary survey will not experience difficulties in completing it and for a preliminary analysis to be carried out to determine whether or not the wording and format of questions will present problems when the primary data are collected and analyzed. The testing is essential since the viability and correctness of the research is validated. The purpose helps confirm and ensure the reliability of the questions in measuring what the items intended to answer. Hence, the pre-testing has enabled the researcher to make amendments according to the purpose of the study and makes the question easy for the respondents to understand and thus provide appropriate responses.

Data Sources

The main data source was from primary sources as well as secondary sources. The study makes use of military personnel, who are the respondents in the research. The deductive approach was best suitable since it gives room for similar and diverse answers from the respondents. Data collected can be classified to be either primary or secondary data depending on the collection source.

Research Ethics

The principles of research ethics are to extensively ensure that the research is accurate and relevant, for the case of the study, informed consent, anonymity, confidentiality was used to reach out to the respondents. Use of data collection methods as interviewing was highly avoided due to biasness and lack of openness with the participants. Secondly, for informed consent, the respondents were briefed and provided an understanding of the research objectives and on the potential harm associated with the study. By conducting informed consent, the participants are free to make their deciscions on whether to keep off the study or comply and face any potential risks. However, the personal details of the participants in the primary research are not linked to any primary research results. With regards to confidentiality, no information collected was revealed except for the study. Secondly, the participant was well informed and adequately educated on purpose and what is being investigated, which increased the chance of their participation. Lastly, all the ethical codes were followed as outlined in the BERA regulations 2011 while conducting the research. Approval was sought by the researcher from the University of West Scotland and the participating organization and the relevant document used in the study such as questionnaire, extract from Annual Reports. Consent forms are attached in Appendix C.

Research Limitations

The study topic was faced with some limitations regarding the respondents. Though the study focusses on the targeted participants, it was limited to only the respondent who participated in the HR Survey 2015. The time constraints and resources allowed only the selection of 75 out of the 115 respondents to be selected for the study. However, the timeframe for the submission was another constraint as the researcher had to extend the deadline to give the respondent additional time to complete the questionnaires; hence this process delayed the data collection in individual units.

Validity and Reliability

The reliability of the study is established through the execution of the test instrument 'survey questionnaire,' which was piloted across several potential participants to ensure that the questions were well understood and consistent across different platforms. The researchers provided that the instruments developed clearly defined the study concepts. Moreover, the pre-test conducted was used to ascertain the consistency of the items in the questionnaire, whereas, the poll, was considered for the validity testing. Given that the survey was close-ended, this was done to ensure that participants are limited to a positive, a negative or neutral response to questions posed. Therefore, the validity of the questionnaire was accepted due to the approach since the basis of the answer is the view and perspectives of the participants.

Abstract

To answer the research questions, the military personnel who have participated in the Human Resources Survey 2015 and HR Audit 2017 were asked to be participants in the research.

The results from the HR Survey 2015 and HR Audit 2107 indicate that turnover was influenced partly by job dissatisfaction. Hence, several factors have impacted on the institutions' employee retention.

The research reveals that various changes enforced by the SPF between the years 2015 to 2018, to the working conditions and working environment have resulted in the rise in retention and satisfaction levels of employees towards the organization. This thesis will analyze the impact of job satisfaction on employee retention in the (SPF).