Assignment for Business Research Methods Course

The following case is a hypothetical story developed just for this assignment purpose. Ato Thomas, the CEO Debonaire Co, is concerned about the declining employees’ performance that he has seen in the last performance appraisal. He understood that it is time that some action has to be taken to reinvigorate the motivation of employees. He is then considering introducing a new compensation scheme that consists of a 100% pay rise. To approve the pay rise proposal, the board of directors inquired that they would like to get strong evidence as to how the employees would respond to it. Ato Thomas is certain on one thing and was able to convince the board that motivation is one important element that could determine the performance of employees in the company and which he wants to primarily boost through the new compensation scheme. However, he is not certain to tell the possible consequence of the pay rise on employees’ motivation. Most of the exiting theories in this area indicate that financial reward can only sustain the existing level of motivation but do not guarantee improvement in motivation. Several empirical studies reveal conflicting result as to what impact financial benefits could have on employees’ motivation. Moreover, the relative importance of compensation compared to other factors such as job design, supervision, work relation, working condition is unknown. Some studies have shown that all of these factors are equally responsible for motivation while others have resulted conflicting findings. Assume that you are working as a researcher in the research and development department of the company and the management of the company gave you the assignment to conduct a study in private companies in Addis Ababa and come up with empirical evidence (just in six month time) about the impact that the new compensation scheme would bring to employees’ motivation, then
a. Do you suggest explorative, descriptive or explanatory study? Why?
b. Do you think this study is deductive or inductive study? Why?
c. Do you suggest longitudinal or cross-sectional or panel study? Why
d. Do you think this study should be qualitative or quantitative research? Why?
e. Determine whether this study is basic study or applied study? Why
f. Determine whether survey, experiment, observation or a combination of these is appropriate of this study? Discuss why?
g. Which of philosophical perspectives of research do you assume for this study? Why?
h. Write the problem statement?
i. Identify variables (both dependent and independent variables. Determine the dimensions to be used if the analysis is at construct level
j. Identify the hypotheses or research questions?
k. Suggest a conceptual framework to be used in this study ?
l. Determine the appropriate scale of measurement for each of the variables or dimensions of construct?
m. Determine the appropriate source of data and collection instruments, suggest the type of questionnaire you think is appropriate to address the variables/constructs (if you think questionnaire is appropriate)
n. Determine whom you would ask these questions to or which official document you would consult. Describe how would you administer questionnaires?
o. Is sampling necessary? If so, what sampling technique would you use?
p. Suggest data analysis techniques appropriate to this study considering your variables and scale of measurement?