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Understand the Qualitative Approach
BTM 7303, Assignment 4 DuBose, Justin Z. Dr. Susan Petroshius 31 October 2017 Introduction to Research Study As the modern workforce continues to diversify with older generations continuing to work and younger generations matriculating into the workforce, organizational leaders face the problem of leading an increasingly diverse workforce (Al-Asfour, 2014). As the modern workplace increases in the development and implementation of technology and broadens its geographic footprint, organizational leaders will continue to be pressed to hone their expertise as technological leaders (Al-Asfour, 2014). Research Problem, Purpose, & Questions The research problem being addressed in this study is “How can the modern e-leader of not-for-profit organizations effectively communicate with and motivate a multi-generational workforce and volunteer base to work collectively toward a shared vision?” Therefore, the purpose of this research is to provide the modern e-leader of not-for-profit organizations with tools to increase their leadership potential and effectiveness in communicating with and motivating their multi-generational workforce and volunteer base to work together toward a shared vision. These tools will be based upon qualitative research and data gathered from personal interviews with workers in a multi-generational environment. In addressing this research problem and aligning with this purpose, three research questions will be answered. Firstly, how can the e-leader overcome the loss of traditional communication benefits (non-verbal communication and personal interaction) in a technological environment? Secondly, how can the e-leader create “shared moments” (Savolainen, 2014) with the workforce? Finally, how can the e-leader ensure that technology is utilized ethically by the workforce? Each of these research questions align with the purpose of the research and are appropriate for a qualitative research study. “E-leadership” Defined Scholars have defined e-leadership as the style of leadership by those leaders who mainly use “technological mediation in their leadership work” (Savolainen, 2014). The need for this technological mediation could be the result of either cultural or geographic challenges. This paper will, therefore, be an examination of the e-leader and the challenges posed by this type of organizational structure and environment. Overcoming the Loss of Traditional Workplace Benefits As the workplace environment becomes both more global and technological, the challenge of communication will only be felt more acutely by those individuals in leadership. In the traditional workplace setting, leaders could take advantage of everyday opportunities to personally communicate with those within the organization. The e-leader, however, must often address the members of their organization virtually. Consequently, every word from their mouths, pens, tablets, or keyboards serves the purpose of informing employees and clients of the "state of thinking" within the organization (Sarros, 2014). This presents several challenges for the e-leader, such as having fewer opportunities for personal interaction with the workforce and volunteer base (Avolio, 2014), losing the benefit of non-verbal cues (Savolainen, 2014), and a technological working environment wrought with distractions not present in the traditional workplace (Cheong, 2016). Through qualitative research by conducting personal interviews with the workforce, this challenge will be examined. Creating Shared Moments One of the greatest benefits provided by the traditional workplace was the trust developed between leaders and members of the organization by creating “shared moments” (Savolainen, 2014). These personal moments create an "emotional glue" between the leader and members which serve to develop a cohesive and productive culture (Savolainen, 2014). The most important moments – such as celebrating victories, enduring hardships, and mediating personal conflicts between employees – must be captured by the e-leader despite fewer opportunities to do so (Savolainen, 2014). How can the e-leader create these important shared moments with the workforce and volunteer base? Research has shown that while strong workplace connections can be formed through “frequent online personal communication” (Cheng, 2017), time and space for personal interaction must be factored in (Savolainen, 2014). Recent research suggests events such as a weekly “happy hour” or personal and professional development dialogues is beneficial (Savolainen, 2014). This research will include personal responses about the most effectual means of shared moments between e-leaders and their workforce and volunteer bases. Ensuring Ethical Use of Technology One of the greatest and most dynamic challenges for the e-leader in motivating the workforce is ensuring ethical use of workplace technology (Sharma, 2015). Research has demonstrated that some of the greatest challenges involve the abuse of Information Technology systems for personal gain, thereby undermining the vision of the e-leader (Brooks, 2010) and, therefore, highlighting the need for ethics training for all employees and volunteers within the organization (Verma, 2016). How can the e-leader ensure that technology is utilized ethically by the workforce? Qualitative methodologies will be employed to examine and synthesize employee responses about ethics training and its effectiveness in communicating the importance of morality in the e-workplace. Qualitative Methodologies For this study, the qualitative methodology of cooperative participatory action research will be employed. This form of research presents the workforce and volunteer base as not only subjects of the research, but also generators of new ideas based upon their role in the research itself (Martens, 2015). In cooperative participatory action research, the subjects also function as fellow researchers (Martens, 2015). The multi-generational not-for-profit workforce and volunteer base sit through personal interviews with the researcher and respond openly to the three research questions. Their own views and responses would then shape the types of communication, shared moments, and ethics training utilized by the researcher in their study. A second round of personal interviews would then be conducted to determine the degree of success to which the trials were successful in fulfilling the purpose of the research. Their responses would determine the conclusion of the research. Conclusion This qualitative methodology is best suited to address this research problem and answer the research questions because it provides direct and flexible interaction with the workforce most directly impacted by the actions of the e-leader. Furthermore, it also provides direct feedback and results to the e-leader from the very workforce and volunteer base they are seeking to communicate with and motivate effectively. By utilizing the qualitative methodology of cooperative participatory action research in conducting multiple rounds of personal interviews with volunteers and employees of a multi-generational not-for-profit organization, conclusions may be reached regarding which particular types of communication, shared moments, and ethics training utilized by organizational e-leaders serve to effectively communicate with and motivate their multi-generational workforce and volunteer base to work collectively toward a shared vision. References Al-Asfour, A. & Lettau, L. (2014). “Strategies for Leadership Styles for Multi-Generational Workforce”. Journal of Leadership, Accountability, and Ethics, 11(2), 58-69. Retrieved October 31, 2017. Avolio, B., Sosik, J., Kahai, S., Baker, B. (2013). "E-leadership: Re-examining transformations in leadership source and transmission". The Leadership Quarterly, 25(1), 105-131. Retrieved October 31, 2017. Brooks, R. (2010). 'The Development Of A Code Of Ethics: An online classroom approach to making connections between ethical foundations and the challenges presented by Information Technology'. American Journal of Business Education, 3(10), 1-13. Retrieved October 31, 2017. Cheng, X., Fu, S., de Vreede, G. (2017). “Understanding trust influencing factors in social media communication: A qualitative study”. International Journal of Information Management, 37(2), 25-35. Retrieved October 31, 2017. Mertens, D.M. (2015). Research and evaluation in education and psychology: Integrating diversity with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Sarros, J. C., Luca, E., Densten, I., & Santora, J. (2014). Leaders and their use of motivating language. Leadership & Organizational Development Journal, 35(3), 226-240. Retrieved October 31, 2017. Savolainen, T. (2014). Trust-Building in e-Leadership: A Case Study of Leaders' Challenges and Skills in Technology-Mediated Interaction. Journal of Global Business Issues, 8(2), 45-56. Retrieved October 31, 2017. Sharma, S., Lomash, H., & Ba wa, S. (2015) 'Who regulates ethics in the virtual world?'. Science And Engineering Ethics, 21(1), 19-28. Retrieved October 31, 2017. Verma, P., Mohapatra, S., & Lowstedt, J. (2016). 'Ethics Training in the Indian IT Sector: Formal, Informal, or Both?' Journal of Business Ethics, 123(1), 73-93. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
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Potential Research Study
BTM 7303, Assignment 3 DuBose, Justin Z. Dr. Susan Petroshius 22 October 2017 Introduction to Research Study As a Doctor of Philosophy student studying Organizational Leadership, my own research is focused on the issue of organizational leadership in the realm of not-for-profit organizations. A potential research study in consideration for my signature assignment in this course centers on the aspect of leading an organization with a multi-generational workforce and volunteer base. As different generations have different value systems, professional work ethics, and outlooks on life, it becomes a significant leadership challenge to compel and persuade the entire workforce to work together toward a common, shared vision. The increasing use of technology in the workforce to communicate with and motivate these diverse populations is an additional consideration in this research. Research Purpose, Problems, and Questions The primary purpose of this research is to provide not-for-profit leaders with information and data as to how different generations respond to leadership in the age of technology (often referred to as e-leadership). Furthermore, it is to arm them with practical techniques and strategies for effective e-leadership which are based in quality research and experimentation directly from the field of not-for-profit e-leadership. In meeting that purpose, one of the problems to be solved is the issue of leading a force which may extend from baby boomers all the way down to the millennial generation. Research has shown that different age groups and generations view and respond to e-leadership differently (Patchanee, 2011; Mackenzie, 2010). This is a serious and pressing problem which will be faced by present and future leaders of not-for-profit organizations. A related problem is the burden of e-leadership in an age of hyperconnectivity (Cheong, 2016) and the resulting communication (Lilian, 2014) and public relations (Kiesenbauer, 2015) challenges. Several research questions will be answered to address these problems and fulfill the purpose of the research. Firstly, how does the e-leader compel their workforce and volunteer base to work together despite their differing views and life experience? Secondly, how does the e-leader ensure that their communication is received as intended by the various personnel in the umbrella? Technological communication eliminates much of the non-verbal communication, and the e-leader must consider this question before communicating with their entire workforce. Data Collection Data collection strategies would likely include a variety of methodologies. Face-to-face interviews would be conducted with employees to gather first-hand their responses to the research questions mentioned above. This serves to record from the workforce and volunteer base their own impressions and responses which can then be used for aggregate data in the research study. Particularly in the case of examining issues within the scope of organizational leadership such as communication, motivational language, and leadership in a virtual workplace, it would seem that face-to-face interviews would provide not only the most useful quantitative data, but qualitative data also. In this method of data collection, data is collected both in the form of verbal response to questions, but also in the form of non-verbal communication. By utilizing this method, the researcher will have the most complete and accurate picture of those responding by having the ability to analyze both necessary forms of communication. Additionally, however, data collection would also be accomplished through the means of sending out surveys. These surveys would be sent out following communication from the e-leader to the workforce and volunteer base and record their immediate reactions and responses to the communication. This data collection instrument would serve to provide the e-leader with first-hand information about the success or failure in the receiving of communication by the employees and volunteers. Target Group for Research Ideally, those targeted for this research would be not-for-profit organizations with a wide and varying range of both their workforce and volunteer base. This would include a large demographic spread, a large diversity in ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, and a multi-generational spread from baby boomers to millennials. A healthy mix of both men and women should also be included in the study participants as the provides an additional layer for consideration. In targeting these study groups, certain ethical considerations would need to be well-thought-out before commencing the research. Ethics in research are a concern for every researcher and research study. Before an examination commences or research begins in any field of study, ethical considerations must be thoroughly considered and documented. The Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative, for example, offers courses on appropriate research practices and within those practices are several modules dealing with the issue of research in ethics. Private industries and government alike recognize both the values of ethical research and the dangers of failing to adhere to ethical standards. For example, one of my mentors from the Army Chaplain Basic Officer Leaders Course at Fort Jackson, SC left that duty station to serve as the ethics professor at West Point to train future Army leaders in the importance of ethics. So, what ethical considerations would need to be made regarding this research? Ethical Considerations The most important ethical consideration must be for the subjects of the research: the employees and volunteers of the organization. Since the subjects of this research are human, and the focus of the research is on their reactions and responses to leadership and communication, careful measures must be taken to ensure that the research is conducted ethically. The workforce and volunteers who agree to participate in the research would sign Informed Consent forms which would ensure that their rights would be protected throughout the research. These workers and volunteers would also sign confidentiality agreements which would ensure that any personally identifying information would not be released or included in the research to further protect their identity and rights throughout the process. Any bias on the part of the researcher would also need to be mitigated by ensuring proper oversight in the form of necessary management controls. These management controls could include a conflict of interest (COI) committee or a similar group assembled of neutral parties who would oversee the research to ensure that bias is neither inadvertently or intentionally introduced into the research by the researcher. This ethical consideration of bias must also be considered in the implementation of research methodologies. For example, the issue of interviewer bias must be guarded against when using the methodology of face-to-face interviews with employees and volunteers from the selected organizations (Pannucci, 2010). When questioning selected employees and volunteers, the researcher must be devoted to asking the same questions to every employee regardless of gender, socioeconomics, or generational affiliation. Those employees and volunteers selected for research would be selected only if they voluntarily consented to be subject in the research study. They would each be made aware of the research – the purpose, problems, and questions being addressed and examined – and voluntarily sign the necessary forms related to informed consent and confidentiality. To further mitigate and minimize any potential conflict of interest, no compensation would be provided to those individuals who willingly participate in the research. This would not only be communicated verbally as well as in writing, but the rationale underlying this decision would also be communicated. This would not only introduce a greater potential for individual financial bias, but would also serve to fundamentally alter the purpose of the research which is to observe and document normative behavior and responses by those individuals participating in the research study. There are always ethical considerations in research, and this highlighted by the creation of such organizations as the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative and the institutionalizing of an ethics department at schools like the United States Military Academy. Being aware of these ethical considerations prior to engaging in research will help preserve the integrity of not only the results of the research, but the individual researchers and the research process as well. In the case of my potential research study, and all research studies studying human beings and some relationship to technology, the need for ethical research is paramount. To highlight this truth, Brooks (2010) conducted research examining the importance of a code of ethics in online classroom training. In part, the conclusion of his research was that the more comfortable individuals and workforce populations becomes with technology, the greater the risk of that technology being used in unethical ways by those same individuals. Since this potential research study topic has human beings as its research subject, and the implementation and utilization of technology by those individuals as an additional research problem, ethics must be present throughout the study. Conclusion It is my objective and hope that this research will not only positively contribute to the field of organizational leadership, but also to the knowledge and skill set of future organizational leaders in the not-for-profit sector. This sector has unique leadership challenges of having large and diverse volunteer bases in addition to often large and diverse workforces as well. The challenges facing these leaders in an increasingly technological environment are steep, and the increased utilization of technology throughout the workplace only increases and complicates these challenges for organizational e-leaders. As these variables continue to play an increasing role in the workplace, so they will play an increasing role in research as well. Therefore, I want to ensure that my own research is conducted in the most ethical manner thus preserving and validating the research and the conclusions from the research.Page Break References Brooks, R. (2010). “The Development Of A Code Of Ethics: An Online Classroom Approach To Making Connections Between Ethical Foundations And The Challenges Presented By Information Technology”. American Journal of Business Education, 3(10), 1-13. Retrieved October 21, 2017. Kiesenbauer, J. & Zerfass, A. (2015). 'Today's and tomorrow's challenges in public relations: Comparing the views of chief communication officers and next generation leaders'. Public Relations Review, 41(4), 422-434. Retrieved April 9, 2017. Lilian, S.C. (2014). 'Virtual teams: opportunities and challenges for e-leaders'. Contemporary Issues in Business, Management and Education, 110, 1251 - 1261. Retrieved April 30, 2017. Mackenzie, M.L. (2010). 'Manager communication and workplace trust: Understanding manager and employee perceptions in the e-world'. International Journal of Information Management, 30, 529-541. Retrieved April 30, 2017. Pannucci, C.J. & Wilkins, E.G. (2010). 'Identifying and Avoiding Bias in Research'. Plast Reconstr Surg, 126(2), 619-625. Retrieved October 21, 2017. Patchanee, M. & Servaes, J. (2011). 'The media use of American youngsters in the age of narcissism: Surviving in a 24/7 media shock and awe – distracted by everything'. Telematics and Informatics, 28, 66-76. Retrieved April 30, 2017. Examine A Research Study
BTM 7303, Assignment 2 DuBose, Justin Z. Dr. Susan Petroshius 15 October 2017 Introduction One of the most fundamental and important aspects of scholarly research and writing is the ability to examine an existing research study. Successfully building on this skill and mastering the requirements of independent, original, and objective analysis and examination allow the scholar to formulate opinions which synthesize existing literature and build upon it as well. This short paper provides an examination on an article which analyzes the effects of non-smoking regulations upon various hospitality-industry businesses within five counties of New York State (Hyland, 2013). Justification of the Need for the Study Extensive study has been undertaken in recent decades to determine the impact of smoking upon individual health. For example, just within the introduction to this article, the authors cite multiple existing studies which have examined various aspects of the health effects of smoking. Just within the opening paragraph, the authors cited recent studies examining the adverse health effects of smoking and second-hand smoke (“Draft of Report on Secondhand Smoke Released”, 1997) and workers risk for lung cancer (Siegel, 1993). The authors also cite previous studies which specifically address the improvement in workers’ health when smoke-free regulations are implemented in hospitality-industry businesses (Eisner, 1998). These studies provide the initial justification for the study by examining previous studies on the subject and providing a context for this study. Furthermore, the authors clearly articulate how their study is the next logical step in this research field by establishing a justification which not only builds upon those previous studies, but also expands on them. Within the article, the authors state that “despite the apparent health benefits, such [non-smoking] regulations spur considerable debate over a potential side effect – which is that the local hospitality-industry economy will be adversely affected” (Hyland, 2013). The authors further justify the need for their study by highlighting conflicting research results between research conducted by independent scholars and those hired by the tobacco industry. They note, importantly, that every independent research study which meets rigorous research criteria “concluded that bars and restaurants experienced no negative sales or employment effects from smoke-free regulations” (Hyland, 2013). The justification and basis for expanding upon this research is extensive and well-articulated. Theory Guiding the Research While the authors never explicitly stated their theory employed which guided their research, it can readily be concluded that they employed the theory of “statistical synthesis” in compiling their study on the subject (Mertens, 2015). This theory, also known as meta-analysis, is “one statistical approach to research synthesis that uses additional analyses to aggregate the findings of studies and reach conclusions about the overall effect of an independent variable" (Mertens, 2015). The independent variable in this study is obviously the “presence or absence of smoke-free regulations” (Hyland, 2013). Thus, by employing the theory or methodology of meta-analysis the authors are using analysis built upon existing studies but which seeks to reach new and further conclusions about the impact of this independent variable on statistical data gathered from the hospitality industry in the area being researched. Problems Being Addressed & Purpose of Study Throughout the article, the authors state the problems being addressed by their research: namely, whether or not smoke-free regulations are actually bad for hospitality-industry businesses in these five counties in New York State. Most pointedly, they note that policy-makers continually proclaim that smoke-free regulations are bad for business, and therefore fight against implementing such policies. However, they note, “considerable evidence” exists which concludes that smoke-free regulations are, in fact, not bad for business (Hyland, 2013). In addressing that problem, the authors note the purpose of their study by saying that “we set out to assess changes in taxable sales and employment in restaurants and hotels in five counties in New York State that have implemented smoke-free dining regulations since 1995” (Hyland, 2013). In adequately addressing that purpose, their primary research question being addressed throughout their research was how, if at all, do smoke-free regulations impact taxable sales and employment in the hospitality industry in these five counties of New York State? All their various analysis centered around addressing and answering that question to satisfactorily solve their research problem. In addressing their research problem and answering their research question, the hypothesis of the author is that “the best indicators available to detect evidence of an adverse economic effect of smoke-free regulations” are employment data and taxable sales data from the business types in question (Hyland, 2013). Thus, the article provided a synthesis and analysis of such data. The quality of their analysis and assessment was very high and thorough as there were detailed charts and data for population, date of regulation implementation, demographics, income, numbers of hospitality establishments, changes in numbers after smoke-free regulations were enacted, payroll amounts, sales data, and other detailed statistical information relevant to the research. Throughout the article, the authors consistently maintained a detailed and focus attention to their research problem and purpose. Justification of Methodology & Design As noted in the previous paragraph, their hypothesis was that “the best indicators available to detect evidence of an adverse economic effect of smoke-free regulations” are employment data and taxable sales data from the business types in question (Hyland, 2013). This provided the greatest justification for their methodology and design of employing statistical synthesis of compiled data which was relevant to their research problem. The authors not only explained their methodology and design, but also carefully employed their methodology and design to meet their research objectives. This methodology and design fit well into the “hourglass theory” of research whereby researchers begin with an overview of their issue and gradually narrow their scope as appropriate methodology is employed until a conclusion is reached based upon the outcome of data analysis (Dane, 2011). Krathwohl Chain of Reasoning The Krathwohl Chain of Reasoning is followed well by these authors throughout their research (Krathwohl, 2005). Krathwohl lays out a chain of reasoning which follows the pattern of linking to previous research, and then explaining your own rationale for research. From there, you state your hypothesis and designs and methodology to meet that hypothesis. Next, you thoroughly address your research procedure including participants, situation, points of focus, records, and time, all of which provide your research data. Once your data is compiled, you then analyze it and formulate your own conclusions and link those conclusions to future studies on the subject. While the researchers did not explicitly follow each step as laid out sequentially by Krathwohl, every element of this chain of reasoning was present. This made the study very logically laid out and easy to follow. “Weak Links” & Future Studies While this research was very logical and thorough, the authors did acknowledge a certain weakness in their analysis. This acknowledgement was that the primary potential limitation in their research was the possibility that aggregate data may include taxable-sales data from businesses which would be exempt from the smoke-free regulations (Hyland, 2013). This “weak link”, however, would have, in no way whatsoever, been significant enough to alter the statistical significance of their own conclusions. The data analysis led them to fail to reject their initial hypothesis and to conclude that smoke-free regulations do not have a negative impact on hospitality-industry business in these areas of New York State. Future studies could build upon the aggregate data in this research study to broaden the geographic scope of the research beyond this five-county area of New York State and provide more detailed and extensive data on the subject. Conclusion This article was not only thorough, but logically and methodically conducted and easy to follow. The research remained focused and objective and the conclusions were solidly based upon the conclusions of the data. My own research studies, as I build and work toward my dissertation, will closely resemble this thought pattern and research design. The “chain of reasoning” described by Krathwohl was extremely helpful and provides an excellent framework in which to work and one which I will seek to employ in my own writing and research. References Dane, F.C. (2011). Evaluating research: Methodology for people who need to read research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. “Draft of Report on Secondhand Smoke Released,” Journal of the American Medical Association, 227 (April 2, 1997), p. 1026. Eisner, M.D., Smith, A.K., &Blanc, P.D. (1998) “Bartenders’ Respiratory Health after Establishment of Smoke-Free Bars and Taverns”. .Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 280, No. 22, 1909-1914. Retrieved on October 15, 2017. Gelso, C. J. (n.d.). "Applying Theories to Research: The Interplay of Theory and Research in Science" (F. T. Leong & J. T. Austin, Eds.). In The Psychology Research Handbook: A Guide for Graduate Students and Research Assistants (pp. 455-466). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781412976626.n32 Hyland, A., Puli, V., Cummings, M., & Sciandra, R. (2003). “New York's smoke-free regulations: Effects on employment and sales in the hospitality industry”. Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, 44(3), 9-16. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.proxy1.ncu.edu/docview/209703335?accountid=28180 Krathwohl, D.R. & Smith, N.L. “Concepts Fundamental to Proposal Writing”. In Concepts Fundamental to Proposal Writing (pp. 31-42). Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press. Doi: http://geography.unt.edu/~lnagaoka/geog4800/Reading_Questions/Krathwohl%20&%20Smith%202005%20Chap%203 Mertens, D.M. (2015). Research and evaluation in education and psychology: Integrating diversity with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Siegel, M. (1993) “Involuntary Smoking in the Restaurant Workplace: A Review of Employee Exposure and Health Effects”.Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 270, 490-493. Retrieved on October 15, 2017. Examine Degree Type’s Influence
BTM 7303, Assignment 1 DuBose, Justin Z. Dr. Susan Petroshius 8 October 2017 Influence & Impact of Degree Type on Research My name is Justin DuBose and I am currently a Ph.D. student at Northcentral University. I am pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Organizational Leadership. My particular research focus will be dealing with various issues associated with a largely volunteer, multi-generational workforce in the religious not-for-profit sector. This falls within the scope of a Ph.D. since I am endeavoring to contribute original research and knowledge to this field rather than applying specific administrative principles within an organization, which would align more with the pursuit of a DBA. The pursuit of a Ph.D., as opposed to another degree type, impacts the way I approach a research problem in that it forces me to look at a unique problem at a depth level that has not been previously explored or researched. Within this research focus, it forces me to qualify the nature of the problem being researched, and the research process itself, as being either quantitative or qualitative in nature. As qualitative research is research in which the “researchers are concerned with how individuals perceive their world”, my research problem of discovering how different generations of workers and volunteers perceive and react to leadership greatly influenced by technology fits into this mold of qualitative research (Castellan, 2010). This qualification, then, effects the research methodology and the research itself. The pursuit of an applied Doctor of Philosophy degree also effects the research approach and design. Namely, the degree type involves a heavy amount of original research, but also must not neglect the practical application of the knowledge gleamed from this research. Within this research process, maintaining ethical values and approaches must be maintained as well as objectivity (Sachdeva, 2008; Mertens, 2015). An inability to maintain the highest ethical standards in research as well as maintaining a healthy separation from those being observed and researched will inevitably result in either an erroneous conclusion, or one which is easily dismissed or rejected because of either unethical or biased methodologies employed to reach that conclusion. In pursuit of an applied Doctor of Philosophy degree, it is imperative that each of these approaches and designs be observed. As stated earlier, I believe that my research will be primarily qualitative as I am seeking chiefly to answer questions regarding the various perceptions of a multi-generational and largely volunteer workforce to modern e-leadership within the not-for-profit sector. However, as this problem is multi-faceted and multi-dimensional, I will inevitably run into the problem of “pragmatic action”: the problem of deciding which scientific approach would best be suited to the research at different stages (Dane, 2011). Therefore, while the principle research methodology employed will be qualitative in nature, I am operating under the assumption that a mixed methodology will be employed at times throughout the course of my research. Depending on the particular focus at a given phase within the research process, the methodology may become quantitative or qualitative, but the overall focus of the research will be primarily qualitative in nature. References Castellan, C.M. (2010). “Quantitative and Qualitative Research: A View for Clarity”. The International Journal of Education, 2(2), 1-14. Retrieved October 8, 2017. Dane, F.C. (2011). Evaluating research: Methodology for people who need to read research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Mertens, D.M. (2015). Research and evaluation in education and psychology: Integrating diversity with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Sachdeva, J.K.. Business Research Methodology, Global Media, 2008. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ncent-ebooks/detail.action?docID=3011363. |
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