BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS OF FLEXIBLE WORKING IN HOTELS
Methodology
Introduction
Research is an investigation to answers the research questions. Methods that were used in the study were critical in addressing both the research hypotheses and research questions. The quality of research was determined by the kind of methodology used. The application of inappropriate methods leads to unjustified results. (Kothari, C. 2017, 94). When choosing a methodological approach to research, it is essential to understand the nature of the study (qualitative or quantitative). Some studies, however, have both the component of qualitative and quantitative analysis and uses both qualitative and quantitative methods. The benefits of using appropriate methodological approaches include the ability of research methodology to generate answers to challenging research questions and test hypotheses. Designing proper research requires the researchers to determine the methodological approaches and then all the components of research methods based on the study (Mackey, A. and Gass, S. M. 2015, 69). The methodological components discussed in this section include the approach or strategy of research and design of the study. The data collection outlines the strategy employed to gather data for the research and the philosophical Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Research Approach and Strategy
A clear research strategy is beneficial in the sense that it helps to streamline research and the researcher are more systematic in their approach to answering the research questions. The quality of research work is determined by the strategy applied. Clear identification of the problem of research enables the researcher to define fundamental approaches to address the research gaps (Müller-Staub, M. 2012, 4). Besides, a good research strategy allows the researcher to remain consistent in the development of the research by applying the right data gathering and analysis approaches. Researchers who use a robust research strategy are also able to systematically test their hypotheses and provide accurate evidence either supporting or disputing the hypotheses (Ghauri, P. et al. 2020, 87). Generally, the use of a clear research strategy enables the researchers to apply the right method in addressing the research hypotheses and link the research to philosophical theories.
The philosophy of scientific research describes the thoughts of the researcher’s thoughts in line with the generation of new knowledge. The philosophical principles applied in scientific research are thoughts that define the new knowledge obtained about the research object. To a greater extent, the philosophical tenets enable the researcher to choose the strategy that will be appropriate in defining the research problem, data collection, and analysis approaches.
The paradigm of scientific research consists of ontology, epistemology methodology, and methods (Žukauskas, P. et al. 2018, 122). The methodology used in the research approach is identified based on the philosophical orientation of the researcher. An excellent philosophical approach should enable the researcher to connect the philosophy, methodology applied, and research problem (Žukauskas, P. et al. 2018, 132). In choosing a research philosophy to apply, it is fundamental to understand if the study is qualitative or quantitative because philosophical approaches used in differ based on the nature of the survey (qualitative versus quantitative). The strengths and weaknesses of both methods must be considered while deciding on which philosophical principles to use (Žukauskas, P. et al. 2018, 133).
In scientific research, different researchers hold varying assumptions about the generation of new knowledge. Therefore, when applied correctly based on the nature of research, scientific research philosophies enable the researchers to add new ideas to pre-existing knowledge.
Epistemology philosophy of research encompasses two main trends used in the study, including interpretivism and positivism (Leitch, C. M. et al. 2010, 68). The interpretivism approach that “The social world can be interpreted in a subjective manner” (Žukauskas, P. et al. 2018, 134). In other words, the interpretivism philosophy is anchored on the approaches that individuals can impact on society. This philosophy has been considered superior to the positivism principle, which is guided by the belief that society can be studied through an objective means. The researchers applying positivism principles are considered objective and works independent of personal values. The target of positivism philosophy is to demonstrate the impact of the social world on the researcher in the process of knowledge generation.
In social research, interpretivism is preferred over positivism because it can provide an interpretation of quantitative data that is more robust than a qualitative approach (Idowu, O.E. 2016, 179). Besides, it is more logical to analyze the impact of the smaller unit (individual) on, the larger unit (society). The contribution of each smaller unit can be analyzed and interpreted on a case by case basis. Besides, the interpretivism philosophy can explain the principle that the researchers have a particular role in society. It is easier to understand the role played by one researcher towards building society than evaluating the impact of the whole society on the researchers. In the interpretivism philosophy, the research is guided by the specific interest of the researcher.
Ontology, on the other hand, is concerned with the study of reality or what exists in the world from which humans can acquire knowledge. This philosophical principle enables researchers to be certain one can be about the nature and the existence of research objects (Moon, K. and Blackman, D. 2014, 1169). One of the questions that ontological research philosophy tries to answer is: “Who decides the legitimacy of what is real?”. The relativist ontology is anchored on the principle that reality is built in the human mind, and hence there is no existence of a universal “true” (Moon, K. and Blackman, D. 2014, 1170). Reality is dependent on the researcher’s experience and is spacial-temporal. In ontology philosophy, research strategy plays an essential role in defining reality through answering research questions and hypotheses testing.
In research, ontology helps to create a link between the researcher’s beliefs and the actual constituents of the fact (Žukauskas et al., 2018, 132). The choice of objectivism over subjectivism ontology principles is because objectivism is independent of societal interference (Packard, M. D. 2017, 537). On the contrary, subjectivism is affected by society; hence, research findings may not represent the true “reality.”
Research Design
The study was designed to use both structured interviews and online questionnaires. The use of two approaches to data collection was deliberate to provide space for a more in-depth analysis of the respondents’ views. The use of semi-structured interviews in research help to provide information that guided the subsequent data collection methods such as questionnaires. In research, both primary and secondary data can be utilized based on the researcher’s interest. This approach is essential in the generation of more data ( Hox, J. J., and Boeije, H. R. 2005, 127). Most researchers prefer primary data over secondary data since it is objective, collected directly from the source, and gives “true” information about the research topic. On the contrary, secondary data lacks originality and depends on second-hand information.
- Semi-Structured Interviews
Researchers use semi-structured interviews to give room for arguments. This form of interview allows for a conversation between the researcher and the interviewee. The two-way communication extends beyond providing a basic response to the questions to provides a proper background of the reactions. In the process, the interviewer acquires new knowledge, and qualitative data that can be compared to past or future data is obtained (Sankar, P., & Jones, N. L. 2007, 119).
- Online questionnaire
Apart from face-to-face interviews, researchers can also utilize the online platform to administer surveys. The online questionnaires are preferred because they are efficient to reach out to a large number of respondents (Razavi, T. 2001, 768). The online questionnaire helps researchers to reduce the biasness of the information collected in the research. The questionnaire method is, however, prone to limitations such as bias and poor validity of the information provided.
Questionnaire Design
In research, questionnaires are designed to ensure there is no bias in the type of questions asked, and the questions were simple to help the respondents understand the objective of the questions. The questions should also be made simple, were short and precise. The arrangement of the questions was in a progressive format from general to more specific questions. Different question types were also distinguished in the questionnaire; there were close-ended questions (participant demographics), open questions, and ranking questions ( McGuirk, P. M., & O’Neill, P. 2016, 238). The closed-ended questions were included in the study because of the ease of responding to these question types, and the responses from different participants can easily be compared. However, the closed questions limit the information provided by respondents. It does not allow the respondents to explain themselves. The open questions were included to enable the respondents to give answers and explain their answers. The freedom to explain answers is vital as it helps the researchers to genuine feelings of the respondent. The respondent may provide wrong information in the process of explaining their response, resulting in misunderstanding or misrepresentation of data. On the other hand, the Likert ranking scale was used to collect quantitative data ( Subedi, B. P. 2016, 38). The challenge of using the scale is that the respondent may be influenced to give an untrue ranking.
Limitations of Data Collection Methods
The use of interviews as a method for data collection is faced with numerous limitations. For instance, the success rate of the interview data collection method is usually low, as it may be challenging to get access to the interviewees. For example, only two out of the five scheduled interviews were successful. One of the challenges cited to impede the interview method is the poor turnout of interviewees due to unavailable circumstances. In case of such eventuality, the researcher may be required to reschedule the interview for another date. Therefore, in most studies applying interviews, the data generated is not representative of the actual population due to the small sample sized occasioned by the poor turn out of interviewees. A significant consequence of using a small sample size in research is the diminished validity and reliability of the results obtained. To cater for the reduced success rate of the interviews, online questionnaires are sometimes used to obtain more information from a more significant number of respondents.
Fieldwork Details
Most of the fieldwork activities did not proceed as planned. The study was particularly limited at the stage of data collection. Five semi-structured interviews had been panned bust; only two were successful. The researcher had projected to use the five interviews to generate questionnaires for 100 respondents, but this was not possible. The researcher ended up using only two meetings to produce 100 questionnaires. Most companies are currently not in operation, accounting for the reduced interview success rate.
The interviews were conducted in February, and the questionnaires sent out in March 2020. The participants (employers and employees) were contacted through emails sent to organizations requesting them to take part in the survey. Before starting to fill the questionnaire, all participants were asked to declare their consent. The questionnaire remained locked until the participants accepted the consent declaration statement. Further, 100 participants responded to the questionnaire. Two participants out of the 100 had initially participated in the semi-structured interview. All the 100 participants were drawn from five different hotels.
Sampling (for Quantitative Data)
Quantitative data was sampled using the convenience sampling approach. The potential participants (hotels) within the geographical location were contacted through emails. The research progressed with the hotels that responded and were willing to take part in the study. The benefit of a convenience sampling approach is that it is cheap and readily amenable (Johnston, L. G. et al., 2009, 1198). The convenience sampling is adaptable to different study designs. Some researchers consider the use of convenience sampling as it helps to collect some data that can potentially ne missed by the probability and randomized methods. For instance, data collected through formal access to information regarding individuals may be achieved well through convenience sampling (Johnston, L. G. et al., 2009, 1198). However, despite the strength of convenience sampling, it also has some shortcomings, such as the inability to balance data collection to reduce biasness. In most cases, convenience sampling is based on the intuitions of the researcher, increasing the room for biasness in data.
Data Analysis
The quantitative data collected through questionnaires were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The benefit of using SPSS is that it is highly accurate, and data is organized in folders to avoid confusion. Compared to manual data analysis approaches, SPSS can perform more complex analysis such as mean comparison and correlations. SPSS can also generate perfect data tables and graphs for use in the results section of a research report
Ethics
Ethical considerations in research help to ensure that the methods used do not infringe on the rights of the participants. Ethical approvals for studies involving human subjects allow for the participants to withdraw from the study anytime, especially when they feel that their rights have been violated or the research poses a danger to them (Diener, E., & Crandall, R. 1978, 896). According to Diener and Crandall (1978), some principles of ethics must be adhered to during research. For example, there should be no harm to respondents, the privacy of the participant must be respected, the participant must grant consent, and there should be no deceptions in the research. To this effect, ethical permission was granted by the university before the study commenced. All participants also provided consent, and their identity was concealed.
The study did not involve minority and vulnerable groups to protect them from the impact of the research. In the interviews, the participants retained the right to withdraw from the study, and fictional names were used to hide their identity. Any personal data collected during the interviews and through questionnaire responses were stored in a password-protected computer. Following the completion of the study, the findings will be made available to the participants and the public.
Conclusion
The methodology chapter explored the rationale of the research strategy and the choice of research method. Various philosophical principles, including epistemology and ontology, were discussed to guide the option of a research strategy. The potential limitations of the research methods used were also discussed and compared to the strengths underlying the choice of the research methodologies. The identification of the method limitations helped the researcher to point out areas of improvement. The ethical implications of the study were discussed, and critical ethical principles explained.
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