Study on research methodology Essay

This doctrine was considered as a criterion with which this research was designed. Outline of the methods that were employed to finish the research is discussed in this chapter. Saunders et Al. ( 2009 ) states that any sort of survey that can set up insouciant relationships between variables in the research can be called as Explanatory research. In this thesis, both primary and secondary information is collected from appropriate audience. Both Qualitative method of informations aggregation and Quantitative method are used.

Richardson ( 2000 ) , states that qualitative work can non be easy comprehended through graphical representations and therefore it carries its significance in the full text. To guarantee that the informations are stating us the same thing that we think they are stating us and to cut down prejudice mistake, Triangulation method is besides employed. This method of research was deemed to be the best for the intent of this research.

We will write a custom essay sample on
Study on research methodology Essay
or any similar topic only for you
Order now

3.1 The Research Onion

Saunders et Al. ( 2006 ) gives an extended and expressed distinction about the ways in which a research can be carried out. Right from the first bed of Philosophy of research followed by Approach, Strategy, Choice, Time Horizon and Technique and Procedure severally. Each bed is critical to the skeleton – the construction of the thesis. Detailed survey of the issues underlying the pick of informations aggregation techniques and analysis processs lead the research worker to this research ( Figure 3.2 ) . However the original theoretical account is figure 3.1 below:

F: Powerpointpe_ukPE083-SaundersFinal_FilesGifch04C04NF001.gif

Figure 3.1: The Research ‘Onion ‘

Beginning: A©Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis, Adrian Thornhill ( 2006 ) ( hypertext transfer protocol: //wps.pearsoned.co.uk )

Preferred Methods and Critique

Research Methods preferred for this Dissertation are demonstrated in Figure 3.2 below:

Core of the Onion would be same Techniques & A ; Procedures of Data Collection and Analysis

Figure 3.2: The Research ‘Onion ‘ for this Dissertation

Beginning: Created from theoretical account provided by

A© Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill 2008 ( Saunders et al. , 2009 Pp. 108 )

Research Doctrine

The doctrine of this research is chiefly based on rules of Realism which is more inclined towards scientific question. Saunders ( 2009 ) , argue that Realism is a philosophical place which relates to scientific question. Realism is a subdivision of epistemology which is similar to positivism. It believes that what senses show us is world: that objectives do hold their ain being rather independent of the head. Bhaskar ( 1989 ) being a critical realist adapts the position that “ What we see is merely the portion of the bigger image. ” Which is besides the position of the writer while carry oning the research and trying to look at the bigger image as already done by celebrated people like Warren Buffet.

3.1.1.1 Review

This type of doctrine the research worker is likely to use the bing theory and information. This can be considered as a drawback as it could hold been more insightful if there was primary informations backed up with the bing one in the Aims 1, 2, 3 and 4. It was nevertheless unachievable for the capacity of this survey. There is besides some sum of Epistemology and Positivism seen throughout the research.

Research Approach

Emphasis and nature of the research subject directs the writer to follow the inductive attack of research ( Creswell, 2002 ) where the informations are collected and a theory developed as a consequence of the information analysis. The research worker has a strong apprehension of the theory of the subjects covered in the literature reappraisal and the attack developed was the consequence of the theories ( William, 2006 ) . Hussey et Al. ( 2007 ) propose that the intent of this research is explorative, descriptive and explanatory as there are few surveies from which the research worker may obtain information about the specified issue.

3.1.2.1 Review

As compared to the inductive attack, deductive attack seems to be widely used with the rationalist research doctrine. However inductive attack was considered to be good for this research as the purpose was non to contract down by developing hypothesis from theories and so corroborating them instead to derive apprehension of the significances worlds attach to events and theories and besides to turn to the spread in the literature.

Research Scheme

The attack adapted is of Grounded Theory and some Case Examples to help the triangulation of the information. Looking beyond its general unfavorable judgments the research worker would recommend that the cardinal issue to retrieve in such an attack is that grounded theory is an interpretative procedure, instead than a logico-deductive one and researcher should handle it as a extremely originative procedure ( Suddaby, 2006 ) . The purpose is to detect forms and develop hypotheses instead than proving or corroborating them. The focal point therefore is to derive insight and acquaintance with the capable country in position of more elaborate probe at a ulterior phase.

3.1.3.1 Review

Amongst assorted other available options of experiments, studies, action research, descriptive anthropology and archival research, studies could hold been another pick for the research. The research worker decided non to utilize a self-administered study because of assorted grounds the most of import being that one would n’t be able to motivate respondents if they had trouble in replying some inquiries ( Bryman & A ; Bell 2007 ) . There are issues which need better understanding are complex in nature which is portion of the questionnaire and if the research worker was n’t present respondents might hold left some inquiries out. As a effect of this the research worker could hold been left with uncomplete informations ( Bryman & A ; Bell 2007 ) .

Research Choice

This attack is unfastened and enables the research worker to garner a wide scope of informations and feelings ; nevertheless it seldom provides conclusive replies ( Beall, 2002 ) . The advantage of explorative research is that it builds a foundation and offers counsel for farther surveies within the field. As suggested by Curran and Blackburn ( 2001 ) , both quantitative and qualitative techniques will be employed and primary and secondary beginnings of informations will be used.

3.1.4.1 Review

The research chiefly focuses on qualitative informations and Multiple Method Choices are made for the research following the remark of Curran and Blackburn ( 2001 ) , that this method is progressively advocated within concern and direction research. Detailed comparative unfavorable judgment of qualitative and quantitative methods is given in subdivision 3.2.

Time Horizon

Time Horizon for the research is chosen to be a longitudinal research as it has the ability to analyze alteration and development over the clip. Since the job of personal debt was non as common in old times and as it is now and it has increased as the economic system has developed, this clip skyline is adapted. Therefore harmonizing to Bouma and Atkinson ( 1995, Pp.114 ) , the inquiry here to inquire will be “ Has at that place been any alteration over a period of clip? ” The specific inquiry here therefore becomes: Has at that place been any alteration in direction and distribution of money over a period of clip?

3.1.5.1 Review

This research can besides be criticised as being cross-sectional whereby you ‘study a peculiar phenomenon at a peculiar clip ‘ ( Saunders et Al 2006, Pp.148 ) as it is besides indicating the reader towards the current economic scenario. This besides a consequence of the word and clip bound of the undertaking.

The schemes mentioned above and depicted in the figure 3.2 are non considered as reciprocally sole as suggested by Yin ( 2003 ) and will be used along with other schemes and possibilities to reply the research inquiries in the best possible mode.

3.2 Analyzing the Options

It is of import to understand different ways to roll up informations and behavior research to turn to the research inquiries and aims in the best possible mode. This besides forms the nucleus of the research onion. In general footings research consists of:

Seeking replies to inquiries

Systematically utilizing a predefined set of processs to reply inquiries

Roll uping grounds

To bring forth findings that were non determined in progress

To bring forth findings that are applicable beyond the immediate boundaries of the survey

( www.fhi.org )

As apparent from the rubric of the thesis, the research doctrine here is to develop cognition ( Johnson and Clark, 2006 ) in the specific field of finance. Below is the tabular array 3.2 which briefly distinguishing between the two methods of informations aggregation.

Table 3.2 Comparison of Quantitative and Qualitative Methods

Beginning: Adapted from www.fhi.org

The tabular array summarises and gives a clear thought on the usage of both types of informations and their utilizations. Bing an attack which uses assorted meth.ods, this research includes both types of informations. Detailed account of these methods is given below.

3.2.1 Criticism of Quantitative Methods

Numeric informations or other informations which can be quantified to turn to the research aims can be described as quantitative informations. Quantitative information in its original signifier becomes really hard to construe and pull significance from. Thus these informations need to be processed, analysed and presented in the signifier of charts, graphs and tabular arraies for better apprehension of the relationships and tendencies within the gathered informations. ( Saunders et al. , 2009 )

Quantitative methods in this research were used in a signifier of a questionnaire to turn to nonsubjective 5. As they by and large confirm hypotheses about phenomena and stiff manner of categorizing inquiries is necessary, it was used to section the respondents and so understand different positions of them as a part of the society. However chiefly the nature of the research demanded the qualitative methods to be adapted.

3.2.1.1 Questionnaire

Saunders et at. ( 2009 ) argue that many times questionnaires are used by people before the consideration of alternate methods, like scrutiny of secondary beginnings, observation and semi-structured or unstructured interviews. They advice the research workers to measure all the possible informations aggregation methods and take the 1 that is most appropriate to the research inquiries.

It is non the instance in this research and it was chosen as the most appropriate method to be used to accomplish defined aims. They will besides help in the triangulation of the information as the consequences will be used along with the focal point group consequences. This in the descriptive nature of this research, which undertakes the survey of attitude of people towards recognition, disbursement and salvaging sing personal finance, it will enable me to place and depict the variableness in different phenomena.

3.2.2 Criticism of Qualitative Methods

All non-numeric informations or that informations which have non quantified can be defined as Qualitative information. These informations are analysed and manipulated in ways of summarising, categorizing and structuring of the significances utilizing a narrative. Normally this research is done to gin deep penetration about a peculiar job or state of affairs.

One of the major advantages of accommodating qualitative methods is that it provides the reader to understand from the position point of people how they experience the research issue in signifier of complex textual description. This provides us with ‘humanistic ‘ side of the issue. This is largely contradictory behaviors, beliefs, sentiments, emotions and relationships of persons.

The other advantage being qualitative methods besides give effectual rating of many undefinable factors like, some societal norms, socioeconomic position, function of genders, besides ethnicity, and faith, whose function in this research is really evident. It is seen that the civilization of a state is a large factor make up one’s minding the disbursement and salvaging wonts of an person. Thus this attack is chosen. Qualitative methods when used along with quantitative methods, they can complement each other. It can better the apprehension of the complex world of the given state of affairs and the deductions of the informations collected ( www.fhi.org ) .

3.2.2.1 Focus Group

Administering a Focus Group was of import for this undertaking particularly for nonsubjective 6 as the respondents answers would be considered really valuable to acquire in-depth cognition of the given topic. A focal point group has been besides used to accomplish triangulation. This is where qualitative and quantitative methods are both employed, by making this can ensue in the negative facets of one method being balanced by the positive facets of the other making a comprehensive and dependable set of findings ( Jick 1979 ) . Some of its advantages and restrictions are discussed below:

Advantages of utilizing a Focus Group:

It can assist to research issues deeply via promoting respondents to interact with one another in relation to the subject set ( Kolb 2008 ) .

This manner has the possible for many positions and sentiments to roll up thereby supplying a good beginning of grounds in relation to the subject discussed ( Wilson 2006 ) .

Here the interviewer has the ability to inquire follow up inquiries if the respondent gives excessively general an reply, the interviewer can maintain inquiring until they get a determination that is more believable ( Kolb 2008 )

Some of its Restrictions are:

Datas from a focal point group might be hard to analyze because of the big sum of informations that is collected within a short timeframe. ( Bryman & A ; Bell 2007 )

There can be a trouble in happening participants for the activity as it is clip devouring and demanding of the person. ( Wilson 2006 )

Group kineticss may besides impact how much information is really collected as some participants may lend more than others. ( Bryman & A ; Bell 2007 )

3.2.2.2 Observation

Observation is another method which is used in this study and has played a large function in its formation. This attack is besides considered to be fun. This mainly involves: systematic observation, entering, description, analysis and reading of people ‘s behavior. ( Saunders et al. , 2009 ) Many writers describe that this facet of the research is to some extent neglected and less used in concern and direction surveies. Although Delbridge and Kirkpatrick ( 1994 ) confirm that it is about trying to larn the symbolic universe and seeking to acquire to the underside of the procedures with which an person invariably concepts and reconstructs 1s individuality. This thought relates precisely with the purpose and aims of this research.

Gill and Johnson ( 2002 ) have developed quadruple classification of this research which is available for any research worker. They are:

Complete participant

Complete perceiver

Observer as participant

Participant as perceiver

Figure 3.2.2.2: Created from Saunders et al. , 2009 signifier theoretical account provided by Gill and Johnson

Here the function of Participant as Observer is used wherein research worker takes portion in the activity and research worker ‘s individuality is besides revealed. Participant Observation is defined specifically as “ the research worker efforts to take part to the full in the lives and activities of topics and therefore becomes a member of their group, administration or community. This enables research workers to portion their experiences by non simply detecting what is go oning but besides experiencing it ” . ( Gill and Johnson 2002, Pp. 144 ) Therefore, adding to the profusion of the research information. Main Strengths and Weaknesses of this method of research are depicted in Table 3.2.2.2 below:

Table 3.2.2.2: Strengths and Failings of Participant Observation

Beginning: Adapted from www.fhi.com

3.3 The Approach towards the Aims

Described below are the aims of this research subject and how they were addressed:

Objective 1: To understand ‘Money ‘ and ‘Debt ‘ using explorative research while briefly looking into its development.

To turn to the first aim, extended secondary research was carried out looking into the history of Money and Debt. This helped the writer to understand the beginnings of these and therefore provided to the full with the capableness to understand and critically analyse it.

Objective 2: To analyse and compare the constructs of money and debt in assorted states of universe.

This was once more done with the aid of extended secondary research into the beliefs and values of many different states of the universe. It was done with chiefly two types of distinctions viz. developed and developing states and close context and unfastened context civilizations. This will allow the research worker to see beyond the peculiar civilization, value and belief system of the UK.

Objective 3: Understand assorted types of fiscal markets and establishments in the UK.

This aim was fulfilled at the same time while turn toing the old aims. As after the base of the construction of the paper was created, this nonsubjective served as a land floor to construct on the other aims.

Objective 4: Understand assorted types of debts and grounds behind their creative activity.

This aim once more was achieved with the aid of analyzing established theories and theoretical accounts which govern the current fiscal system in the universe. Chiefly secondary research is used and the construct of ‘participant as an perceiver ‘ is reflected all through the thesis which is besides primary research.

Objective 5: Identify critical factors responsible for the increasing personal debt in the UK.

Designation of critical factors responsible for the increasing personal debt in the UK was done after careful consideration, on the footing of secondary informations and the facts about UK economic system given in Appendix 1. A questionnaire was prepared and given out to members of public. The inquiries chiefly focused on Availability of Credit, Knowledge about Personal finance, Culture and Finance and Some Technicalities sing fees and charges applicable. The sample included pupils, unemployed people, portion clip workers, full clip workers and self employed people with different sex and age groups.

Objective 6: Measure the consciousness of UK occupants about fiscal direction and its function.

This aim was achieved by the agencies of a focal point group, some inquiries were formed to by and large entree the cognition about money direction in general population and the function it can play in their pecuniary state of affairs. This was done via unfastened ended inquiries to give the participant ability to acquire feedback and discuss in signifier of complex textual descriptions to entree how people experience the given research issue. Sample here besides included pupils, unemployed people, portion clip workers, full clip workers and self employed people with different sex and age groups.

Objective 7: Propose a New Theory on Money Management in difficult times.

Therefore in above mentioned manner the aims were addressed and informations will be gathered and analyzed and the last nonsubjective to propose a New Theory on Money Management in difficult times to emerged as a consequence of the accomplishment of the old research aims.

×

Hi there, would you like to get such a paper? How about receiving a customized one? Check it out