For The Methods Below, Develop Two Hypothetical Designs
For The Methods Below Develop Two Hypothetical Designs For Your Envis
For the methods below, develop two hypothetical designs for your envisioned research problem: 1. Quantitative 2. Qualitative. For each hypothetical design, provide a discussion of the appropriateness based on course texts and/or suitable supplemental foundational research sources. Use the PPT Concept Paper presentation and the Doctoral Candidacy Resource Guide as a guide to the hypothetical designs you present. Length: 5-7 pages including 3-5 resources. Your paper should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts that are presented and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards. Review APA Format and Style.
Paper For Above instruction
The development of research design is a critical step in the research process, especially when addressing a complex research problem. This paper proposes two hypothetical research designs—one quantitative and one qualitative—for exploring the same research problem. The goal is to evaluate the appropriateness of each approach based on foundational and current scholarly sources, aligning with course materials such as the PPT Concept Paper presentation and the Doctoral Candidacy Resource Guide.
Research Problem and Context
The hypothetical research problem centers around understanding how remote work influences employee productivity and employee well-being in the healthcare sector. Given the recent shifts toward telecommuting precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations are increasingly concerned about sustaining productivity while supporting employee health. The complexity of the problem calls for rigorous investigation through multiple research lenses.
Quantitative Hypothetical Design
The quantitative approach involves designing a correlational study that measures the relationship between remote work variables and employee productivity and well-being. This design systematically quantifies data through structured surveys containing Likert-scale items, productivity metrics, and health-related questionnaires administered to a large sample of healthcare employees across multiple institutions. The sampling would utilize stratified random sampling to ensure representation across different roles, departments, and geographic locations.
This design's appropriateness stems from its ability to statistically analyze relationships between variables, providing generalizable results that can inform policies. Using established validated instruments enhances reliability and validity, aligning with the principles outlined in the course texts. Additionally, the quantitative approach can help identify patterns and correlations that may serve as a basis for further experimental or longitudinal studies.
According to Creswell (2014), quantitative research is suitable for understanding the extent and nature of relationships between variables, especially when aiming for broad generalizations. This design also allows for hypothesis testing, which aligns with the research problem's need to determine whether remote work significantly impacts productivity and well-being.
Qualitative Hypothetical Design
The qualitative approach proposed involves a phenomenological study aimed at capturing the lived experiences of healthcare employees working remotely. Data collection would involve semi-structured interviews and focus groups, allowing participants to articulate their perceptions, challenges, and benefits associated with remote work. Purposeful sampling would target employees from diverse backgrounds to ensure a broad range of experiences.
This design is appropriate because it provides rich, in-depth insights into individual experiences that are often overlooked in quantitative research. It aligns with the philosophical foundation of phenomenology, which seeks to understand phenomena from the participants' perspectives, as emphasized in the course materials and foundational literature such as van Manen (1990). Furthermore, qualitative data can uncover contextual factors influencing employees' perceptions, thus providing a more nuanced understanding of the complex emotional and social dimensions involved.
This approach is particularly valuable when exploring issues of well-being, as subjective experiences often defy quantification but are critical for comprehensive policy formulation. The flexibility of qualitative methods also allows researchers to explore emergent themes that can guide subsequent inquiries or intervention design.
Comparison and Appropriateness
Both designs address the research problem but serve different purposes. The quantitative design offers broad generalizability and statistical rigor, making it suitable for policy recommendations based on measurable trends. Conversely, the qualitative design provides depth and contextual understanding, essential for exploring the underlying reasons behind observed behaviors or perceptions.
Research literature supports the choice of mixed methods in many healthcare studies (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2011). However, the choice between the two must align with specific research objectives. If the primary goal is to establish relationships and test hypotheses, the quantitative approach is preferable. If the focus is understanding personal experiences and contextual factors, qualitative research is more appropriate.
In the context of this hypothetical problem, initial quantitative studies could identify prevalence patterns, followed by qualitative research to explore the reasons behind these findings, leading to comprehensive evidence for organizational decision-making.
Conclusion
Developing both quantitative and qualitative research designs provides a holistic approach to tackling complex issues such as remote work's impact on healthcare employees. Each design offers unique advantages aligned with different research goals, and selecting the appropriate method depends on the specific questions posed. Applying foundational research principles and course-guided guidelines ensures methodological rigor and relevance, ultimately contributing to robust and meaningful research outcomes.
References
- Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. SAGE Publications.
- Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2011). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. SAGE Publications.
- van Manen, M. (1990). Researching lived experience: Human science for an action sensitive pedagogy. State University of New York Press.
- Babbie, E. (2010). The practice of social research. Cengage Learning.
- Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative research & evaluation methods. SAGE Publications.
- Leavy, P. (2014). The Oxford handbook of qualitative research. Oxford University Press.
- Yin, R. K. (2014). Case study research: Design and methods. Sage publications.
- Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Leech, N. L. (2007). Sampling designs in qualitative research: Making the sampling process more public. The Qualitative Report, 12(2), 234-254.
- Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods. Oxford University Press.
- Marshall, C., & Rossman, G. B. (2016). Designing qualitative research. Sage publications.