Katherine Becks

Employee Turnover Research Project Part Two

Thomas Griffin

Husson University

Research Paper Part Two

Fundamentally, a research design refers to a set of methods and frameworks that a researcher can adopt in a bid to combine the various components of the research in a logical manner. Typically, the research design will provide an insight about how to undertake a research activity while utilizing a particular methodology (Abutabenjeh & Jaradat, 2018). The design should provide a sketch of the research and can also be used to explain the type of research and the subtype.

Population and Sampling Method

For the researcher to promote the credibility and reliability of the data, probability sampling will be undertaken. It refers to a sampling method where each participant has an equal chance of being included in the sample (Abutabenjeh & Jaradat, 2018). However, it is imperative to note that in this case that the sampling population encompasses individuals that have an employer for another. Probability sampling means any individuals in this population has an equal chance of being included. Under probability sampling, stratified random sampling will be undertaken. It refers to a technique where the population is divided into subgroups and the samples are taken from each subgroup. In this case, the researcher will divide the participants into the following subgroups. Subgroup one will only have individuals that have only left a single employer. Subgroup two will have participants that have left more than one employer for others. The final subgroup will be made up of participants considering leaving the current employer. From these subgroups, samples will be randomly chosen to take part in the research. The reason for doing this is to promote diversity of the group so as to unearth the primary factors contributing to the turnover problem that is making organizations incur costs in recruiting and selection.

During sampling, it is imperative to note that there are confounding variables that must be avoided. These are factors that may negatively impact the validity of the research process. One of the factors entail participants who left their former employers for reasons not related to their performance and perceived expectations. This includes factors such as retrenchment, gross misconduct, and the need to relocate among others. Also, confounding variables, including being fired among others will need to be looked into. Typically, the sampled participants will be asked to outline the primary reason why they left their former work station. If the reason is considered a confounding variable, the responses made by such a participant will be considered invalid.

Dependent and Independent Variables

From a research perspective, a dependent variable is dependent on the independent variable. The latter is controlled by the researcher while the former is only dependent on the independent variable (Abutabenjeh & Jaradat, 2018). It was earlier noted that this research aims at determining the primary factors that lead to a high rate of turnover. In this case, personal factors will be treated as the independent variable while the probability of leaving an organization will be treated as the dependent variable. This means that the research will identify the cause and effect relationship between the independent and the dependent variables. It will then indicate the factors that have a high probability of making an employee leave an organization. This is how the variables will be measured, hence testing the hypothesis that was earlier outlined. It stated that “Employees will leave an organization meet their expectations.” The cause and effect relationship provided by measuring the variables will test it.

Descriptive Research Design

From the constructs indicated in the last section, it can be seen that the research design is descriptive. This refers to a design that is about showing or describing the situation through detailing a cause and effect relationship (Kothari, 2009). This design provides insight and also show a new angle relating to a particular phenomenon, in this case, the employees leaving an organization. The design does this through the collection and analysis of data. The data are analyzed in a manner that identifies a cause and effect relationship between the identified variables.

In order for the desired goals of the research to be realized, it is worth noting that the researcher will need to contextualize the research processes so as to promote the credibility of the research. A descriptive research design needs to ensure that the participants are not influenced when being involved in a research process. For this to be done, the researcher must identify personal and cultural factors that may influence the participants and must devise ways of addressing them. This can be done by asking the participants about a setting they would wish for when being involved in the data collection procedures. This will make them feel motivated and get more comfortable hence likely to give honest and credible responses.

Data Collection Methods

The research will employ a cross-sectional design where data will be collected through the involvement of subjects without regard to the existing differences especially timely (Long, 2014). High turnover rates have been a key problem for organizations over time, hence the study will examine the exact factors that have been leading to problems. The stratified sampling method outlined will have three subgroups that will include participants that left former employers and those considering leaving their current organizations which means there is no regard for time.

When it comes to the actual collection of data, structured interviews will be used with the aim of promoting credibility. Use of qualitative methods guarantees credibility as the participants are likely to offer honest responses, especially when there is a rapport between the researcher and the participants. The researcher will need to structure the interviews in a manner that allows the participants to offer honest responses. One way of doing so entails presenting them with open ended questions and according them the liberty to respond or not to respond to questions. The researcher will need to control the flow of the sessions to ensure that only the needed information is being collected. Additionally, the researcher can allow the participants to provide any new information that may provide new insights that may need to be considered especially when it comes to informing future research.

In conclusion, the researcher will adopt a descriptive research design to test the earlier asserted hypothesis. Personal expectations will serve as the independent variable while the probability of leaving the organization will serve as the dependent variable. The data will be collected through the use of structured interviews and will be analyzed to inform a cause and effect relationship that will subsequently test the hypothesis. It is the duty of the researcher to ensure that the various confounding variables have been addressed in a bid to promote the validity and reliability of the data collected and analyzed.

References

Abutabenjeh, S., & Jaradat, R. (2018). Clarification of research design, research methods, and research methodology: A guide for public administration researchers and practitioners. Teaching Public Administration 36(3), 237-258.

Kothari, C. R. (2009). Research Methodology (2nd ed.). New Delhi: New Age International Pvt Ltd Publishers.

Long, H. (2014). An Empirical Review of Research Methodologies and Methods in Creativity Studies (2003–2012). Creativity Research Journal 26(4), 427-438