Chapter 3
METHODS OF RESEARCH
The credibility of findings and conclusions extensively depend on the quality of the research design, data collection, data management and data analysis.  This chapter discusses the research methods available for the study and what is applicable for it to use. Likewise, the chapter presented how the research was implemented and how to come up with pertinent findings.

Research Design

This study employs the descriptive research method, which uses observation and surveys. Basically, the descriptive type of research was employed because it is cheap and quick.  In addition, this type of research method suits to the goal of the paper since it aims to determine the impact of selective outsourcing to Standard Chartered Bank. Descriptive research also suggests unanticipated hypotheses. Nonetheless, it is very hard to rule out alternative explanations and especially infer causations. Thus, it is recognised the reliability and applicability of this type of research method.  This descriptive type of research also utilises observations in the studyCustom Thesis.  To illustrate the descriptive type of research, Creswell (1994) guided the direction of this paper in his statements:

“Descriptive method of research is to gather information about the present existing condition.  The purpose of employing this method is to describe the nature of a situation, as it exists at the time of the study and to explore the cause/s of particular phenomena.”

It is opted to use this kind of research considering the desire is to obtain first hand data from the respondents so as to formulate rational and sound conclusions and recommendations for the study.


Research Approach

The research described in this document is based fundamentally on quantitative research methods. This permits a flexible and iterative approach. During data gathering the choice and design of methods are constantly modified, based on ongoing analysis. This allows investigation of important new issues and questions as they arise, and allows the investigators to drop unproductive areas of research from the original research plan.

Furthermore, qualitative research is multi-method in focus, involving an interpretative, naturalistic approach to its subject matter. This means that qualitative researchers study things in their natural settings, attempting to make sense of, or interpret phenomena in terms of the meanings people bring to them. Accordingly, qualitative researchers deploy a wide range of interconnected methods, hoping always to get a better fix on the subject matter at hand. The reasoning process used in qualitative research involves perceptually putting pieces together to make wholes. From this process, meaning is produced. However, because perception varies with the individual, many different meanings are possible.

In addition, the research is also based in quantitative research. Quantitative method is compatible with this study because it allows the research problem to be conducted in a very specific and set terms (Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, 1992). Besides, quantitative research plainly and distinctively specifies both the independent and the dependent variables under investigation (Matveev, 2002). It also follows resolutely the original set of research goals, arriving at more objective conclusions, testing hypothesis, determining the issues of causality and eliminates or minimises subjectivity of judgment (Kealey & Protheroe, 1996). Furthermore, this method allows for longitudinal measures of subsequent performance of research subjects (Matveev, 2002). Finally, it provides achieving high levels of reliability of gathered data due to i.e. controlled observations, laboratory experiments, mass surveys, or other form of research manipulations (Balsley, 1970). This study should be based on surveys and statistical treatments, so basically the quantitative approach fits well with it. #p#分頁標題#e#

Data-Gathering Method

To come up with pertinent findings and to provide Custom Thesiscredible recommendations, this study utilized two sources of research: primary and secondary.  The primary source of data came from a questionnaire and interviews conducted in accordance to the perceptions on selective outsourcing present in Standard Chattered Bank. The respondents of the study came from the rank and file staff and the management team.

The secondary sources of data are based from published articles from Business and Information Technology journals, books and related studies on outsourcing and selective outsourcing.
 
A study was conducted of a recent selective outsourcing arrangement within the IT group of the target organisation.

The personal interview method was adopted to survey a cross section of management and staff from the work group involved in the selective outsourcing arrangement. The results obtained revolved around the major themes of: 

1)    Planning (identify as time constraints, resource constraints and work load)

2)    Management control (which encompasses the structuring of the outsourcing relationship, human resource concerns, level of ownership, communication, structure of the internal IT group and inter-departmental concerns)

3) Process (which applies to the quality of the procedures, inherent internal knowledge required, the informality of the procedures and concerns over adherence to procedures.)

For this research design, gathering of data, collecting of published studies from different local and foreign universities and articles from business and information journals; and making a content analysis of the collected documentary and verbal material are conducted.  Afterwards, all the information are summarised, make a conclusion based on the null hypotheses posited and provide insightful recommendations on the dealing with selective 怎么寫Thesis提供Thesis怎么寫服務outsourcing.

Perspective of the Research

For this study, multi-perspective analyses are made.  This means that it considers not just the voice and perspective of the actors, but also of the relevant group of actors and the interaction between them.  This one aspect is a salient point in the characteristic that case studies possess.  They give a voice to the powerless and voiceless.

Research Plan

The exploratory study was consisting of both quantitative, qualitative analysis of the data gathered, and the interviews conducted with significant personalities for this study.  Since this is an exploratory study, the simple study design is used for simpler and in-depth analysis of the impact of selective outsourcing to the services of internal IT department.

A descriptive type of research was used in exploring the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing from the beginning of the Industrial Revolution up to the present.  The significant relationship between the variables is tested to provide a fundamental explanation on the present impacts of selective outsourcing of IT and services.  A cross section examination was conducted on different organizations from the time they have begun to practice selective outsourcing compared to the time they have not.  A cross sectional study provides an opportunity to establish a comparative study among IT departments who practice selective outsourcing and those which do not.#p#分頁標題#e#


Unit of Analysis

The unit of analysis is a critical factor in the study.  It is typically a system of action rather an individual or group of individuals. Case studies tend to be selective, focusing on one or two issues that are fundamental to understanding the system being examined.  Thus, this study shall be focusing both the individual and general level in determining the impacts of selective outsourcing of IT and services present in Standard Chartered Bank.


Respondents of the Study

The general population for this study was composed of selected personnel in the organisation numbering to 60 respondents. The interviews for managers whose function is directly related to the organisation and implementation of the selective outsourcing strategy employed by the company were also provided.

Although it is obviously desirable to obtain a larger sample size, the survey process about selective outsourcing took a full day to complete and assessors a half day to rate. Thus, this study using that sample size collated substantial information from the survey respondents. The quality of response the study expects to get will offset the number of respondents that were included. Primarily, sixty (60) is an ideal number for a sample in this kind of organisation. A minimum of 20% of the total respondents from the population would merit a reliable sample size and it should be based on Slovin’s formula.

Basically, Guilford, J.P. and B. Fruchter (1973), initiated that it is advisable to use the Slovin’s formula in choosing sample sizes. Thus, the sample size of the population in this paper was determined by Slovin’s formula. The formula of Slovin (1960) is given as follows:


Where:
    n = a sample size   
N= population size
e= desired margin of error (percent allowance for non-precision  because of the use of the sample instead of the population). 

Finally, the most pressing issue would be the quality of feedback/responses that is gathered from the respondents. This study did not assume that the self-rating and the observer’s rating on the personnel true and valid. It is important to reserve the judgment and analyses about the difference in the result of the self-raters and observers and cross tabulate it in order to lessen the issue of getting non-truthful responses. Moreover, a copy of the personnel’s productivity index such as their time cards, their positions, their output and their job descriptions in order to lessen the dependence on the survey questionnaire was obtained. The data obtained from the official documents of the company and the result of the selective outsourcing questionnaire, including the interviews, which are the basis for the analysis of the study.


Instruments to be Used

To determine the effects of selective outsourcing in the company particularly in Standard Chartered Bank, a questionnaire and a set of guide questions for the interview that is asked to the intended respondents was prepared. The respondents graded each statement in the survey-questionnaire using a Likert scale with a five-response scale wherein respondents are given five response choices. The equivalent weights for the answers are:#p#分頁標題#e#


Range                Interpretation
4.50 – 5.00                 Strongly Agree
3.50 – 4.49               Agree
2.50 – 3.49              Uncertain
1.50 – 2.49                Disagree
0.00 – 1.49                Strongly Disagree

Validation of the Instrument

Validity refers to the degree to which a study accurately reflects or assesses the specific concept that is attempting to measure. While reliability is concerned with the accuracy of the actual measuring instrument or procedure, validity is concerned with the study’s success at measuring what are set out to measure. The qualitative approach was taken to analysing the interview transcripts. Through continue readings of the source materials and awareness of the risks of researcher presumption, attempts were made to identify features and themes that recurred during analysis to reach the ‘essence’ of the data as according to Huberman (1994).

For validation purposes, initial submission of a sample of the set of survey questionnaires was facilitated and after approval; the survey was conducted to five respondents.  After the questions were answered the respondents are asked for any suggestions or any necessary corrections to ensure further improvement and validity of the instrument.  The content of the interview questions was again examined to find out the reliability of the instrument.  The exclusion of irrelevant questions and changed words that are deemed difficult by the respondents, to much simpler terms are also initiated.

Administration of the Instrument

The five respondents who initially used for the validation of the instrument are excluded.  All the responses are also tallied, scored and tabulated in the provided interview questions. Moreover, the interview is based from a structured interview. The interview consists of a list of specific questions and the interviewer did not deviate from the list or inject any extra remarks into the interview process. The interviewer also encourages the interviewee to clarify vague statements or to further elaborate on brief comments. Otherwise, the interviewer attempts to be objective and tries not to influence the interviewer's statements. The interviewer does not share his/her own beliefs and opinions. The structured interview is mostly a "question and answer" session.


Data Representative and Reliability

To ensure the reliability of interview results, a test-retest was conducted –administration of the same test to the same (or a similar) set of interviewees on two different occasions was conducted#p#分頁標題#e#Custom Thesis，This approach assumes that there is no substantial change in the construct being measured between the two occasions.  Thus, two tests was also conducted – a pretest or a pilot test shall be done and a post-test.  Interviewees are questioned twice themselves. Furthermore, the proposed approaches, structured interview and telephone questionnaire are interview-administered in mode.  This part encouraged credibility and accuracy in the interviews.


Statistical Treatment of the Data

After the collection of the interviews and related studies, all the data was collated.  The statistical analysis was conducted using Microsoft Excel where the data are tabulated, graphed and evaluated.  The testing of the level of significance is conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and tabulated in the Excel files.  The SPSS is the standard software in conducting statistical analysis such as the ANOVA and the chi-square – the two correlation measures that will be used in the study.

1.    Percentage – to determine the magnitude of the responses to the questionnaire:
 
                    where:  n = number of responses
                          N = total number of respondents
2.    Weighted Mean:
 
                where:   f – weight given to each response
                     x – number of responses
                     xt – total number of responses

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)

To be able to determine if there is a significant difference between the assessments of the two groups of respondents the ANOVA was used (Guilford, J.P. and B. Fruchter, 1973).  To be able to determine if there is a difference between the assessments of the two groups of respondents the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used.

For the ANOVA calculations, the general form is summarized in the table below:

The Generalized ANOVA Table
ANOVA Table
Source of Variation    Sum of Squares    Degrees of Freedom    Mean Square    F
Treatments    SSTR    t-1    MSTR     

Error    SSE    N-t    MSE   
Total    SST    N-1       

Where:#p#分頁標題#e#



Chi- square

Chi-square is a family of distributions that vary with degrees of freedom (a concept that will be discussed at length later on). But in general, as the degrees of freedom become infinitely large, chi square approaches normality.

Note: the expected value of each chi square distribution (mean) is equal to the number of degrees of freedom for that curve.

This is used to determine the relationship between two variables that are set have relationship. The formula for this is as follows:
χ2  = 
    where :          χ2 = chi-square value
            oi = observe frequency
            ei = expected frequency

To evaluate the information gathered, the following analysis instruments are used: percentage analysis, mean analysis, and chi-square analysis. Chi-square value where computed using the SPSS.

Summary

As stated in this methodology part, the research underwent stages. In the research design, secondary data was collected. Formulation and development of the questionnaire and interview was facilitated. In this stage, these instruments were subjected to approval and validation Custom Thesis. During the data collection, the data was collated and summarized from the questionnaire and survey. These data are analyzed and from these, this paper came up with findings and recommendations presented in the next chapters .