Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Literature Review Chapter 3: Methodology Chapter 4: Data Analysis and

Interpretation of Findings Chapter 5: Discussion and conclusion

To acquire information/knowledge Research – a particular way of knowing Emphasis on systematic investigation Scientific method- collecting observations

in a systematic and objective manner Identify problem Generate Objectives/hypotheses/RQ Collect data Determine whether or not the hypotheses are

supported.

Researches that use non-scientific method› Historical, etnography

Basic research (Fundamental Research)› Concerned with fundamental and theoretical

questions.› A foundation upon which others can develop

applications and solutions› while basic research may not appear to be

helpful in the real world, it can direct us toward practical applications in the long run.

› E.g. A study on job rotation impact (positive and negative impact) on employees.

Applied research› concerned with finding solutions to

practical problems and putting these solutions to work in order to help others

› E.g. Action Research on Best Job Rotation practices for Academic Institution

Research Introduction and background Problem statement Objectives (main & specific objective) Hypotheses or research questions Theoretical/conceptual framework (quantitative

only)› Variables definition (quantitative only)

Definition of terms (include operational definition)

Contribution/Significance/important of research Limitation of research

2 things to be considered› Level of interest

Topic of interest will motivate one to do research on it Choosing the wrong topic – you might end up or fail to

discover some interesting value.

› Feasibility Your capability to complete a research conducted –

e.g. data collection and analysis, report writing Always take a research as you want to unveil a

mystery

Yourself (observation on a particular phenomena/experiences)

Discussion with expert in the field Journal articles Academic books (based on research work) Proceeding and conference papers Thesis, dissertation, final year project Organizational Report (e.g statistic) Others (Internet, Newspapers/magazines

A problem statement is a clear concise description of the issues (or problems) that need to be addressed by a researcher.

The primary purpose of a problem statement is to focus the attention of the researcher.

A research-worthy problem statement is the description of an active challenge (i.e. problem) faced by a researcher that does not have adequate solutions or theoretical foundation. › Should briefly address the question: What is the

problem that the research will address?

Define a problem or a gap that need to be researched to find a solution

Justify the need for a research These gaps are discovered through journal

articles (refer to limitations or suggestions in journal articles)

Sometimes a problem is discovered through: › personal experience of a researcher or a

research sponsor › phenomena that happens around us.

No known study that has looked into this specific topic. - exploratory research

There are only few studies that address this issue but most of the studies were done in Western countries especially in the United States(Mueller, 1998; Adruce, 2002; Adam, 2008) – Confirmatory research

There are several research works in this specific area but the findings are not consistent. Therefore, there is a need to do further research in this area – Confirmatory research

There are several research works that have looked into a direct relationship between smoking habit and cancer; however, no known research has specifically looked into a mediator/moderator effect of a third variable (types of food consumed)

This incident (eg. Tsunami) has never happened in Malaysia, therefore, there is a need to study the post Tsunami effects in the affected region of Malaysia.

Most of the previous research in this area were done using qualitative method; therefore, there is a need to use quantitative/experimental method to test the preposition/ hypothesis.

Most of the previous research in this area were done using quantitative method; therefore, there is a need to use qualitative/experimental method to validate the findings.

Based on the Problem Statement mentioned earlier

It is a statement that explains what the study will focus on

There are two types of objective› Main (This study is interested in studying the

employees behavior related to job rotation amongst support staff)

› Specific (to study the relation ship between job rotation and job satisfaction)

The purpose is to refine the objective of the study and make it easier to understand what we want to study

When to use Hypothesis or research question› Phenomena has been studied before and to test the findings

we use hypotheses testing (e.g There is a relationship between job rotation and job satisfaction)

› If no known study has been done in that specific area we should use research question instead (e.g Is there any relationship between job rotation and job satisfaction?

When can we use hypothesis even if there is no know research done in a specific area?› Experimental research

Only to be used in quantitative study. There is no need for

theoretical/conceptual framework in a Qualitative study

Job SatisfactionJobSecurity

Basic Needs(Salary, Benefits)

Peer Support

There is a relationship between Basic Needs and Employees Job Satisfaction

Better Job Security will result in Better Employees Job Satisfaction

There is a relationship between work environment and employees job Satisfaction

RQ if there is no hypothesis› Which of the above factors rank the highest contributor

to job satisfaction?

Organization Performance

ExternalEnvironment

EmployeesPerformance

Services Provided

ManagementCapability

Dictionary definition› Defined by dictionary

Operational definition› An operational definition defines

something (e.g. a variable, term, or object) in terms of the specific process or set of validation tests used to determine its presence and quantity.

Theoretical Definition› A theoretical definition relies on the

acceptance of theories and so it does not simply reduce to a set of observationsLike the theories that build them, theoretical definitions also improve as scientific understanding grows

Contributions › theory/concept/model/hypothesis/proposition

or knowledge in the field› Methodology

Research Framework (statement of problem, objective, hypothesis, research question)

Instrument (questionnaire, interview guide, observation guide etc.)

Data Collected Data Analysis Framework

› Practitioner and community

This study is expected to contribute toward a theory (e.g. diffusion of innovation) related to the use of technology in organization because findings from previous studies implicate lack of consistencies either in supporting or refuting the theory.

Use of ICT in organization is a developing area and not many studies have really studied Malaysian organizations pertaining to their employees usage of ICT

Since not many research were done in this area before, the Research Framework (statement of problem, objective, Hypothesis and Research Questions) use in this study could be use by future researcher who wanted to replicate this study.

The Instrument (questionnaire, interview guide, observation guide etc.) used in this research could be used for future research in the same area.

Findings from this research especially on the office and environmental factors that ensure success in job rotation should be a good guide to Human Resource Managers.

Finding from this research should also inform the community of employees in the organization on the important of office and environmental factors to ensure success in job rotation practices.

Topical/subject/field limitation (limited to study of HRD and not on Psychology or management aspect of human resource)

Methodological limitation (Data collection method)› Population and Sample› Time Frame› Area/place of research

Resources Limitation (for example Literature Review is limited to Emerald online database)

Gather all related and relevant findings from previous studies.› Introduction to the Chapter› Discussion on Theories, models, concepts

and philosophy related to the research› Discussion on previous studies related to

the topics. Guided by the specific objectives in the study.

› Summary of the chapter

What it is not› Not an essay› Not just a mere summary or annotated

bibliography or abstract What it is

› Reflection of previous studies Improve understanding on topic of interest Status of works done in similar area Updating you on what have been done in the

past

Locate all related Previous Works on same topic to update you on what have been done. › Highlight the status of Previous research and

finding Gaps or opportunities (availability, strength, weaknesses) Uncertainties and doubts in previous findings Limitations of previous studies that need to be

dealt with Methodological limitation Geographical location Time factor

Research Framework (Qualitative, Quantitative or Experimental)

Place and time of study Population under study

› Unit of analysis› Sample/respondent/informant (qualitative)› Sampling method and sampling framework

Method of Data Collection› Survey using Questionnaire (quantitative)› Interview (qualitative)› Document Analysis› Observation Technique

Determining method of data collection for each objective/research question/hypothesis

Research Instrument› Pre-Test and pilot test (quantitative)

Validity and reliability issues Equipments (video, audio recorder etc.) to be used during

data collections Consent Form Research Schedules and Timelines

Quantitative (mostly using Deductive Reasoning) - Confirmatory› to research questions that are best answered by

collecting and analyzing numerical data (using statistical)

Qualitative (mostly using inductive Reasoning) – Exploratory

Mixed Method – Qualitative and Quantitative› To research questions that are best answered by

giving descriptions on how one understand and interpret various aspects in their surroundings

Experimental (mostly using Deductive Reasoning) – Looking at Cause & Effect

To be determined – provide justification Determined also time to conduct the

study because both place and time could determine the outcome of the study

Determine the population where the study will be conducted

Identify the unit of analysis (individual or group)

Determine the sampling method (simple random method, cluster, stratified, systematic, purposeful/convenient, snow balling etc.) to be used and design the sampling framework

Survey - Quantitative Experimental – Quantitative,

Qualitative Correlation - Quantitative Case study – Quantitative, Qualitative Historical - Qualitative Ethnography – Qualitative

Present your analysis of data – summarize the relevant findings that are crucial to your study.

Interpret your data to meaningful information that is understandable.

Discussion and comparison with previous studies (focusing on similarities or differences in term of result)