3.1 Introduction
This chapter details the research design adopted. It describes why a questionnaire research was selected and it also explains the rationale behind using this method for data collection. A valid study is one which collects precise data, which is capable of showing how the gathered data supports the research proposal and literature available on the subject matter.
3.2 Research Design
Burns and Grove (2009) define research design as a plan for carrying out a study with maximal control over factors that may affect the validity of the finding. Similarly, Parahoo (2006) describes it as a plan that describes how, when and where data are to be collected and analysed. Thus, the research design identifies the philosophy, methodology, aim, logic and result of a research.
3.3 Research Strategy
Research strategy describes the general plan of action; it explains how the research questions are going to be answered (Saunders et al., 2009), by identifying the sources a researcher would use in collecting the relevant data and taking into consideration the various constraint in the data gathering process such as, location, time, funding, ease of collecting data and ethical considerations.
According to Saunders et al. (2003), research strategy can be grouped into six; action research, case study, grounded theory, experiments, survey, and ethnography. Each of the research categories described above have their pros and cons. This study adopted the survey strategy for gathering data.
3.4 Research Methods
A research method can either be inductive or deductive. Deduction is generally carried out using a structured quantitative approach, while induction usually involves using a qualitative research method. According to Saunders et al. (2009), the deductive approach generalizes outcomes from a sample to a population, whereas inductions aim to create theories or explores new ideas.
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Qualitative research creates important statistically conclusions about a population by analysing a representative sample of the population (Creswell, 2009). Data are commonly collected by observations and also through unstructured or semi-structured interviews (Saunders et al., 2009). However, quantitative research methods try to use statistics to test hypothesis. It is applied in randomized or non-randomized experimental and natural environment; numerical data is produced using instruments with specific response categories and also through standardized processes (Curry et al., 2009). According to Leedy and Ormrod (2010), quantitative research seeks to differentiate attributes of a phenomenon or study the relationship between two or more phenomenon.
Whitman and Woszczynski (2004) stated that the choice of the research method adopted for a study should be dependent on the research aims and objective. However, Creswell (2009) argued that in selecting the right research approach, the following factors should be considered; the research topic, time, and the amount of risk.
3.5 Data Collection
The two types of data gathering methods for any study are primary and secondary data collection (Saunders et al., 2003). Many researchers start with data found in peer review materials to answer or begin to answer their research questions and then use the new data collected to support their research. This study made use of both secondary and primary data. 3.5.1 Primary Data
The survey method was selected as the means of collecting data using a well-structured questionnaire, this method is quicker to implement and allows the researcher to collect data quickly and inexpensively, while ensuring the privacy and anonymity of participants of the study. Although questionnaires are the most common instrument used for data collection in research survey, structured interviews were proposed to be used to obtained data in conjunction with the questionnaires but this was abandoned because it would require longer time to set up interviews and also to get access to participants of the interview.
The questionnaire was prepared and sent out to the participants through the electronically, due to the limitations of using the survey method and also ensuring that the author adhere to ethical requirements, a short note was attached to the questionnaire detailing the purpose of the study and assuring all participants that the information obtained was strictly for academic use (a sample of the questionnaire is presented in the Appendix).
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The questionnaire was structured using different types of questions such as open ended, list, category and scale as described by Saunders et al., (2009). In the questionnaire, open ended questions were used to obtain information that cannot be presented as a choice or in rating. List questions offer a list of alternatives to which the research participants can pick as many optioned necessary to answer the question. Lastly, scale questions were also used, these types of questions are structured using a 5 point Likert scale and are used to obtain the opinion of the survey participants in relation to various topics that deal with attributes, beliefs and their experience in certain subject matters.
3.5.2 Secondary Data
Saunders et al. (2009) identified documented secondary data as either written or unwritten materials which can be raw data sources, as well as a medium for storing compiled data. Secondary data used in this research was gotten from various online and offline sources, such as books, articles, journals, theses and reports.
3.6 Sampling and Target Profile of Participant Organisations
The humanitarian organizations were randomly selected. Each of the organizations selected is currently involved relief operation within South Africa – the target organizations were those who participate in disaster response. According to the age, financial strength or size of the organization they have varying capacity to response to disaster. Emails with links to the online survey were sent to local and international humanitarian organization listed or described as “Emergency and relief”. The contact details were obtained from the department of social development website (DSD), which has a database of all registered NPOs in the country and also the internet was another source for identifying humanitarian organization that fit the profile. In order to select only the big and active NGOs, the following criteria were adopted:
1. All the international NGOs were considered for this study, because all of them were expected to consider the importance of logistics.
2. Only local NGOs that have legalized presence and NGOs that have at least a minimum of 10 employees.
3.7 Research Validity
The respondents were randomly selected and with regards to validation, the response rate relative to the study is not high, but it is acceptable for this level of study. Given the
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quantitative nature of the study, reliability and validity of the findings can be assumed. Fundamentally, validity determines whether the study really accesses what it was planned to measure or how candid the study results are. Therefore, the study can be said to meet the criteria relative to validity and reliability. The internal validity of the study results are legitimate because the sample selection process, data gathering, and the analysis performed were consistent with standard procedures adopted in quantitative research methodology. 3.8 Research Limitations
All of the organisations in this study are different. Although they fit a certain profile for size and sector, these organizations all have varied cultures and capabilities. The experience of an employee at one company may be different to that of another aid organization. Thus, thought must be given during the interpretation of data for this type of bias. Care must be taken to collect all of the necessary data in a given period of time, in order to maintain uniformity of approach with the collection process to check any shift in focus as a result of early findings. Allowing a clear focus of the study and not letting the purpose of the study to change in relation to time requires persistence throughout the questionnaire phase (Saunders, 2009). 3.9 Summary
Qualitative and quantitative research methods were described and analysed, the selected research method for the study was presented and also reasons for its adoption were stated. The data gathering process was sufficiently described, the structure of the questionnaire was presented and also the type of questions asked to the respondents. Lastly the limitation to the study was also presented. The next chapter presents the results and findings from this study.
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