Research Proposal

Running head: COMMUNICATION BARRIERS 1

COMMUNICATION BARRIERS AMONGST COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS 2

Communication Barriers Amongst County Administrators in the Workforce

By: Tanisha L. Holmes

MPA-613

07/25/2020

Belhaven University

Abstract

This study was conducted from the researcher through an intense analysis from Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources (PBMHR) organization. This study derived from the researcher’s careful observations of PBMHR out-patient service departments’ high turnover rates followed by their employee’s poor job performances. According to Salkind (2012) state, “First, personal experiences and firsthand knowledge more often than not can be the catalyst for starting research” (p.4). Fortunately, the researcher is currently employed with the company, so retrieving primary sources from interviews, focus groups, and surveys were not difficult. This study is based on accurate and factual data given by County Administrators and employees because the researcher’s job consists of providing services in the state of Mississippi throughout ten counties with the Mobile Crisis Emergency Response Team (MCeRT). As a result, there were many face-to-face contacts made with the researcher amongst PBMHR out-patient service departments staff members where release forms were provided regarding confidentiality purposes. With the assigned signatures submitted, the researcher began implementing surveys in the breakrooms and utilizing the Hattiesburg Public Library meeting rooms for interviews and focus groups. From the ten PBMHR counties, the researcher only received the participation of three County Administrators and ninety-seven employees. From that point, this is when the researcher discovered communication barriers between the County Administrators and their employees, and solutions to strengthen their departments. However, this research would not have been possible without placing God as the head because it is written in the Holy Bible, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33 English Standard Version).

Table of Contents Introduction 4 Overview 4-5 Statement of Purpose 5 Research Question 5-6 Hypothesis 6 Plan of Study 6-7 Theoretical perspective ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….7-8 Literature Review …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………8-11 Research Methodology……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….11-13 Data Collection …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………13-15 Data Management and Analyses ……………………………………………………………………………………………15-16 Case Study Application …………………………………………………………………………………………………………16-17 Research Case Study Presentation ………………………………………………………………………………………………17-20

Introduction

“Theoretically, mental health treatment in the community can offer several advantages over treatment in state hospitals” (Blevins & Soderstrom, 2015, p.2). However, for out-patient treatment to be effective amongst clients, there has to be consistency amongst staff members to prevent triggers. This method is important to clients due to their lack of support from family members and friends. Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources is an organization designed to accommodate persons served in the communities who need the overall support from staff members by making up what they lost. In the past, PBMHR has encountered challenges in full filling their duties to maintain mental healthcare stability throughout communities because of their high-volume employee turnover rates. For this reason, the researcher understood that some positive changes had to be implemented in the organization to gain successful results. As a result, the researcher took on an investigation in the facility by discovering where the problems were occurring.

Overview

PBMHR facility operates under many departments within their organization that addresses clients’ needs specifically. For instance, the Program of Assertive Treatment (PACT-team) is a department within PBMHR that offers licensed practical nursing assistance. With this team, they obtain a clinical staff, provide services to only two counties in Mississippi, and provide crisis services. Unlike these two services, PBMHR also offers less intense outpatient treatment services at the main offices. Because of this expansion, one would be led to believe that the organization has everything under control. Needless to say, the researcher found communication barriers amongst County Administrators and their staff member in the out-patient service departments that caused high employee turnover rates and increased crisis circumstances with clients. For this reason, the entire research proposal was approached and written from a secular and biblical perspective. This is important to the researcher because, without God, research studies would not be established. God says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS” (Matthew 11:28-29).

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of this research generated from PBMHR out-patients service departments’ employee turnover rates. Within their departments’, the County Administrators are the individuals in charge. County Administrators are the head of their departments, and their employees make up the body. County Administrators roles within PBMHR consist of supervising group homes, adult daycare, and an elderly-programs. Because of the company’s inabilities to decrease crisis emergencies within the communities, the researcher aimed to take this investigation step by step in focusing on the department requiring the most attention. Out-patient service departments are where the company encounters high employee turnover rates. As a result, these negative outcomes are indicators that God is not in the mist! In the Holy Bible, God provided his leaders and servants with instructions to help people in society, by indicating, “ Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).

Research Question

Will County Administrator’s benefit from a strategical communication employer’s guide to decrease employee turnover rates since communication barriers are contributing factors amongst PBMHR out-patient service departments. The Old Testament says, “Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning” ( Proverbs 9:9).

Hypothesis

Because skillful communication patterns are keys to success, the researcher hypothesizes an increase in PBMHR out-patient service departments once a step-by-step communication supervisor’s verbal usage guide is implemented amongst County Administrators. “Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what helps build others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).

Plan of Study

The late former President Benjamin Franklin coined a quote that suggests, “if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” As those words are proven to be true, the researcher took upon his advice by planning a strategic layout that incorporated major descriptive tasks and working objectives for the research proposal. The researcher will also integrate a biblical perspective in this research proposal by positioning God in the center. After all, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3).

Major Descriptive Tasks

• Identify the challenges that are affecting the economy

• Discuss research topic with the professor

• Change previous research topic and study

• Complete Literature Review

• View dates to conduct interviews

• Assemble interviews data and observations

• Conclude research

• Present final research proposal to MPA 613

Working Objectives

• Discuss research topic with the professor for final approval

• Observe the out-patient service department communication patterns amongst both County Administrators and their staff

• Distribute surveys and conduct interviews

• Retrieve data

• Analyze secondary sources

• Organize data and separate important records from irrelevant records

• Innovate PowerPoint and finalize Capstone Project

Theoretical Perspective

Communication techniques are essential in the workforce. This is important so employees and supervisors can properly channel positive messages to each other without any obstacles. Whenever these channels become breached within the organizations, problems are subject to occur. As a result, the researcher-based theories within this study demonstrating how communication barriers can impact an organization’s environmental climate specifically PBMHR. The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2010) states, “Authors of theoretical articles trace the development of theory to expand and refine theoretical constructs or present a new theory, pointing out flaws or demonstration the advantage of one theory over another” (p. 10). In this case, the flaws that will be highlighted amongst PBMHR out-patient service department deals with County Administrators’ inabilities to effectively communicate with their staff. The researcher believes that this method will advance their department’s growth with innovative solutions to adhere to their challenges. Through theory, the researcher also believes that a significant amount of groundwork needs to be collected for this study to support the hypothesis. This process will require numerous amounts of times, but the ending results will aid in the welfare of the organization’s growth. Theories are proposed to provide insight on specific reoccurring challenges that conspire over time while implementing effective solutions to address these issues. God challenges his people not to avoid their problems in the Holy Bible by suggesting, “ If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraided not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5 KJV).

Literature Review

This literature review will discuss topics on challenges with communication barriers amongst County Administrators and their staff. Literature reviews are essential to research studies because they cover an array of topics to support the case. Eicher (2007) states, “The closer records are to an event and the closer they are to eyewitness participants, then the closer they are generally speaking, to pristine credibility” (p.34).

PBMHR is an organization that provides essential out-reach services to clients. In the mental health field, the clients depend on these resources to achieve independent living within their communities. In these cases, it can be difficult for clients to achieve the amount of support needed if PBMHR communication environments are unstable. Employee turnover rates and poor job performances all affect the client’s abilities to succeed with their mental illnesses. PBMHR out-patient service departments have been dealing with these issues based on negative communication patterns amongst County Administrators and their staff. One of these communication barriers consists of a lack of effectively communicating job descriptions to employees by County Administrators followed by another barrier consisting of uninformative employee orientations. This information obtained was based on the out-patients service department employee’s concerns. Amongst the County Administrator’s answers to these reoccurring challenges, there was this a supervisor whose feedback intertwined with the staff. Meanwhile, like any negative aspect of a situation, fortunately, there are positive aspects to situations as well. An effective communication study guide will be innovated to repair these problems through helpful resources since PBMHR is suffering communication barriers amongst their out-patient service departments due to negative languages barriers caused by staff. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV).

A. Nordquist (2018) state, “In her “Handbook of Research Methods, “Natalie L. Sproull points out that secondary sources “are not necessarily worse than primary sources and can be quite valuable” (p. 1). Belhaven’s Academic search databases, scholarly books, and internet resources were obtained as secondary sources within the research proposal. The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association book was informative and beneficial to the study because it obtained resourceful information such as:

• “New ethic guidance on such topics as determining authorship and terms of collaboration, duplicate publication, plagiarism and, self-plagiarism, disguising of participants, and making data available to others for verification” (2010).

Plagiarism in research is a big deal because the information provided must be accurate as possible. Meanwhile, Neil Salkind’s Exploring Research eight edition book was also resourceful within this research as well. Some writing summaries required completing exercises that obtained short questions. In addition to the summaries, the book also contained examples on primary and secondary sources while demonstrating how to incorporate them into research. Salkind’s book also contained definitions that provided clarity on what research, literature reviews, and methodologies are. With this information, the researcher was able to conduct a successful study. The Holy Bible also deserve proper credit for the successful completion of this research proposal because of the scriptural verses. Throughout the study, the researcher integrated Bible verses providing a deductive reasoning to the groundwork collective. The Holy Bible says, “Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilt person by being a malicious witness” (Exodus 23:1 New International Version). Without God in the equation, all mankind is subject to fail. Two internet sources that were incorporated in the researcher literature consisted of: Top 7 Communication Barriers at workplace (Benefits of effective communication. Retrieved from: https://www.yodiz.com/blog/top-7-communication-barriers-at-workplace-benefits-of-effective-communication/, and Gaille, Brandon. (11, July 2018). "12 Case Study Method Advantages and Disadvantages. Retrieved from: https://brandongaille.com/12-case-study-method-advantages-and-disadvantages. Both internet sources provided supportive evidence in how communication techniques are important, and examples of pro’s and con’s with case studies.

B. As the interviews and focus groups were conducted, the researcher uncovered some valid reasoning to why the employee’s performance levels were not up. Participant number one mentioned that their employee performance evaluations was not accurate. Once the researcher addressed this concern with the rest of the participants, eighty-nine out of one-hundred agreed. The participants indicated that their scores were being based from organizations that were fully staffed. The participants argued that their job performances would increase if the organization did not continue suffering from high turnover rates. Kramer (1998) state:

“Many agencies find effective employee performance evaluation an ongoing struggle. Some view employee performance evaluation as one of the useless trappings of bureaucracy. Other see value in evaluation but provide little or no training for the participants. Some agencies perform evaluations but do not make the process meaningful or constructive. Still other agencies address the issue simply by adopting a canned system form some other source” (p.14).

Research Methodology

Communication is a technique that has been around since the beginning of time. In fact, “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their host” (Psalm 33:6 New American Standard Bible). Being able to communicate is substantial to all aspects of life whether its verbal or non-verbal. By empowering the gift of communication, people can live essential lifestyles, however, whenever one is denied this ability by barriers then functioning within communities becomes impaired. These barriers have been known to effect businesses as well as organizations. PBMHR caters to mental health clients in the community by implementing out-patient service departments. These departments are established to identify the client’s specific needs while designed to provide them with needed resources. In these cases, it is critical for staff members to provide stable environmental settings where communication patterns are noble. As a result, effective communication patterns will not only benefit the clients, but will also affect the employees by decreasing turnover rates.

The researcher focus with this study is to examine the communication barriers in PBMHR out-patient service departments. Over the years, communication channels have been impacted by County Administrators towards their staff. This is evident considering the number of turnover rates the company has encountered along with dealing with the employee’s poor job performances. During this study, the researcher plan to utilize a qualitative approach. For this reason, there will not be any experimental methods used. Also, the researcher will not utilize any graphs into this study, so numeric information will not be necessary. However, the researcher will incorporate primary and secondary sources to support evidence within this study.

From a Christian perspective, God supplies all people with the essential resources needed for survival. In fact, this information is located in the Holy Bible as it says, “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day" ( Deuteronomy 8:18 New King James Version).

Data Collection

The researcher conducted the study by establishing consent forms within the out-patient service departments. Amongst the consent forms, there were eighty-six participants who signed the forms. The participants consist of three County Administrators and eighty-three employees. The survey’s and questionnaires obtained demographic information. Some examples of the questions addressed on the questionnaires asked: “What is your age? Where are you from? How long have you lived in Mississippi? However, the questions on the surveys were implemented based on numeric answer choices. For example, questioned one asked: “On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate PBMHR communication techniques with 10 being the highest!” In addition to the survey’s and questionnaires, the researcher also conducted interviews. In fact, the interviews and focus groups were held at the Hattiesburg public libraries because of convenience. After creating polls with the participants in referencing whether they preferred the interviewing processes to be conducted at work, all but two participants voted yes. With the majority ruling the other two participants out, the researcher contacted the library and scheduled each participant a date for their meeting rooms. Once all participants were given scheduled dates, the researcher started the process. During the process, many participants mentioned that it was hard for them to conduct the interviews considering the fact of the topics being discussed about work.

1. As this research was based on qualitative methods, the entire research consists of positive and negative communication barriers with PBMHR organization. According to Bhat, “Qualitative research is defined as a market research method that focuses on obtaining data through open-ended and conversational communication” (p. 1). Within this research, the conversational communication derives from focus groups and interviews. During the interviews, the researcher discovered this one communication barrier that all employees voiced their complaints about. This communication barrier consisted of how slow the internet jet packs work in some locations causing the laptops to only get in the way of them effectively doing their jobs. In fact, all participants reported that PBMHR provide each staff member with laptops upon hire, however, all the participants also reported the internet communication barriers as well. As a result, the County Administers answers to these barriers revolved around the financial status of the company. The County Administrators reported that it would be challenging for them to purchase laptops for their employees due to budget cuts. The researcher discovered that this barrier was a big deal for employees causing their job performances to decrease and realized that their employee evaluations may be a little off considering the employees circumstances.

2. The primary resources that were obtained in this research were based on the answers from the interviews and focus groups. The leading question that the researcher asked the participants started with: “Tell me about yourself and roles with PBMHR out-patient service department!” Another question that the researcher asked the participants was in the form of: “What communication barriers do you encounter amongst your County Administrators?” Next, the researcher asks the County Administrators: “What communication barriers do you encounter amongst your employees?” As a result, the researcher discovered that the communication channels amongst County Administrators and employees were affected due to a lack of both parties not addressing major issues appropriately. Within the surveys, the researcher also discovered that most of the participants answered that they were least satisfied with their job descriptions. An example of this question is listed below: How likely are you satisfied with the meetings held at PBMHR?

(A.) MOST LIKELY (B.) LEAST LIKELY (C.) RATHER NOT SAY (D.) DO NOT KNOW

3. Like primary sources utilized by the researcher in this study, the investigation also consisted of secondary resources. In this study, the researcher incorporated two internet sources, three books, and four academic journals:

• Bhat, Adi. Qualitative Research: Definition, Types, Methods and Examples. Retrieved from: https://www.questionpro.com/blog/qualitative-research-methods/

• Eicher, D.J. (2007). Primary sources: Handle with care-but do handle: Used wisely, they can be rich material for bringing the past to life in both nonfiction and fiction. Writer (Kalmbach Publishing Co.), 120(4), 34-37.

• Gaille, Brandon. (11, July 2018). "12 Case Study Method Advantages and Disadvantages. Retrieved from: https://brandongaille.com/12-case-study-method-advantages-and-disadvantages/

• Kramer, M. (1998). Designing an individualized performance evaluation system. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 67 (3), 20.

• Top 7 Communication Barriers at workplace (Benefits of effective communication. Retrieved from: https://www.yodiz.com/blog/top-7-communication-barriers-at-workplace-benefits-of-effective-communication/

• Moor, H. (2015). Mastering Workplace Communication. Optometry Today, 55(6), 41.

• No author. (2010). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Washington, DC ISBN 13: 978-1-4438

• Salkind, N. (2012) (8th ed.) Exploring Research. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice. ISBN: 978-0-205-09381-6

• The Holy Bible

Data Management and Analysis

As the data is collected from the primary and secondary resources, the researcher plan is to create a strategic research proposal. The research proposal will consist of interviews, surveys, focus groups, books from the Holy Bible and Salkind’s Exploring Research data. Since the researcher obtained a numerous amount of information from interviews, the collection process will consist of going over taped recordings from the participants to obtain only needed information. During the interviews, since the participant’s discussed a lot of information that was not needed for the study, the researcher will keep the data in file cabinets for future groundwork. Meanwhile, the researcher will compare all the answers addressed from the County Administrators and their employees to implement solutions. The researcher will also incorporate verbal and non-verbal cues observed by the participants to determine which questions were critical for them. After this information is collected, the researcher will put the pieces together in narrowing down what primary causes within PBMHR organization stem from communication barriers. These barriers will be addressed with appropriate solutions to decrease turnover and poor job performance.

Case Study

Salkind (2012) states, “Case studies are a unique way of capturing information about human behavior for a variety of reasons” (p. 217). Within this case study, the researcher-based information collected on trial-and-error. During this study, the researcher was educated on the advantages and limitations with the investigation.

(1.) Gaille (2018) sate, “Case studies offer verifiable data from direct observations the individual entity involved” (p. 1). Listed below are some advantages the researcher encountered with the case study. For one, the researcher’s budgets were not impacted drastically because the researcher only had to purchase paper for the surveys and questionnaires along with making copies. Another advantage the researcher obtained with this study consisted of the number of participants that provided their feedback during the interviews and focus groups. In the Holy Bible, God demonstrates the importance in communicating effectively by explaining, “But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness” ( 2 Timothy 2:16 ESV).

(2.) Meanwhile, as the researcher proceeded with this case study the participants encountered challenges with some questions which caused limitations on the investigation. For example, the researcher did not obtain most of the female participant’s ages due to personal reasons. This question was important to the researcher but did not affect the case study. Also, the researcher discovered that the answers amongst the County Administrators were closed-ended. In this case, it was challenging for the researcher to conduct interviews amongst the supervisors. However, the researcher obtained a lot of information from the County Administrators from the surveys and questionnaires which were helpful. Salkind (2012) states, “First, case studies focus on only one individual or one thing ( for example, a person or a school district), which enables a very close examination and scrutiny and the collection of a great deal of detailed data” (p.217).

Because God obtains all information needed for his people, he is our only source.

For it is written, “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers as it is this day” (Deuteronomy 8:18 NKJV).

Research Case Study Presentation

Triggers are important factors that affect people with mental health illnesses. Mental healthcare organizations derived from these challenges with the hopes of providing a substantial living to a person served in the community. Like all great ideas, it is evident that people tend to underestimate the “what if’s” down the road and self-destruct whenever faced with unexpected challenges. Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resource is a facility that has made a significant difference in Mississippi by providing out-patient services to clients with illnesses. However, the researcher noticed one important barrier within their company, which is not only taking a toll on staff members but also negatively impacting clients. While employed for PBMHR as a Community Support Specialist with the Mobile Crisis Emergency Support Team, the researcher noticed a tremendous employee turnover rate leading the client to encounter an emergency crisis. Employee turnover rates affect clients with mental illnesses because they cannot get the proper care needed by staff whenever there is no staff to administer these services. Therefore, it is the employer’s responsibility at mental healthcare organizations to provide preventable measures such as improving these barriers amongst staff to maintain balance and stability for clients.

With this in mind, the researcher conducted a study within the PBMHR organization to strengthen communication barriers amongst County Administrators and their staff. Because PBMHR organization high turnover rates stem from a lack of effective communication channels amongst their out-patient service departments, the researcher quest unlocked many factors contributing to these critical circumstances. Fortunately, throughout the researcher’s investigation, a step-by-step communication employer’s guide was created to implement positive changes within the PBMHR organization. Moore (2015) states, “It’s easy to overlook the importance of clear communication when we’re getting on with our jobs, but the truth is that to achieve organizational goals, we need to facilitate an environment in which people easily understand what is needed and how to achieve it” (p. 41). “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4 New International Version).

Negative communication patterns are considered as learned behavior’s and can be improved through cognitive study. Because PBMHR continuously deal with reoccurring turnover rates in their out-patient service departments, the company as we know it will not get any better. A solution that will help improve these detrimental challenges starts with one mastering the ability to become an effective communicator through the researcher’s step-by-step communication employer’s guide. The inability to communicate effectively is a problem because it has impacted all ethnic backgrounds in communities. Salkind (2012) state, “If you stop form a moment and let your mind explore some of the issues in the behavioral and social sciences that have piqued your interest, you will surely find something that you want to know more about” (p. 39). With this in mind, the researcher conducted an intense study amongst PBMHR out-patient service department where both County Administrators and employees work behaviors were observed. With the observation, the researcher witnessed the County Administrators rising intonation in their voices which appeared as if they were speaking aggressively whenever addressing certain challenges. As a result, the researcher observed some employees remarks from encountering those types of languages stating: “who does he think he talking to like that”, “he is not my mama”, and “I’m not going to work where someone is treating me like a child!” Meanwhile, after hearing their responses, the researcher noted the information in a journal. Moving forward, the researcher also heard many employees complain about not being trained properly. The employees believed that they could not perform their job tasks effectively due to the lack of a misleading communication channel. In this case, the researcher gathered all information obtained from the employees and observations from the County Administrators by conducting interviews, surveys, and focus group discussions. As mentioned earlier, there were three County Administrators and eighty-three employees who attended the out-reach sessions. During the focus groups and interviewing sessions, the researcher observed that the employees were more engaged and receptive to answering the questions opposed to the County Administrators. The County Administrators non-verbal cues displayed a high level of intensity where they crossed and shook their legs profusely. Because communication is verbal and non-verbal, this information assisted the researcher in learning additional information about the County Administrators and employee participants in-depth. Also, during these sessions, the County Administrators admitted that PBMHR orientation processes could be improved. The researcher learned from the employee participants that communication channels amongst their supervisors were challenges for them. However, the researcher discovered that the County Administrators lack effective communication techniques because of generational experiences where they witness negative communication channels in childhood. Parents have to be conscious of how they channel their emotions towards children during the early stages of their lively hood to obtain successful results. However, the employees also complained about their County Administrators’ time management skills. Time management is one of many communication barriers that can affect supervisors, employees if they do not respond to their needs promptly. The researcher discovered that this particular barrier only existed in the Forrest and Marion counties. In these situations, these two counties ranked the highest in PBMHR out-patient service departments. Because their County Administrators cannot balance healthy communication channels, the clients are the ones suffering tremendously with reoccurring crisis emergencies. In most cases, mental health clients are emotionally neglected, and they usually endure major setbacks within their environments from triggers. However, there was one new County Administrator who answers differed from the rest of the others. His statements on communication barriers within the company matched the researcher’s observations which proved the hypothesis valid. On the other hand, the researcher felt as if the old County Administrators based their answers from absolute fear of losing their jobs, and for that reason, the researcher got an idea of where the challenges were occurring. No instruments were used during this research; therefore, the research was not experimental. The research was implemented at the public libraries in conference and group rooms. The researcher was pleased with the qualitative method used during the investigation with the interviews and surveys because of the array of information collected.

The Holy Bible charges all people to provide answers based on truth, and “Don’t not spread false reports. Do not help a guilt person by being a malicious witness” (Exodus 23:1 New International Version).

Conclusion

In conclusion, this research was designed to improve PBMHR out-patient service departments. After careful observation, the researcher discovered communication barriers amongst the County Administrators’ and their employees that resulted in high turnover rates with the company's growth. The researcher also discovered poor employee job performances that also contributed to unhealthy work environments. After the investigation, the researcher learned that most of the communication barriers came from the County Administrators inabilities to establish effective rapport with their employees in training them appropriate for job positions. On the other hand, the researcher learned that the employees suffered communication barriers as well, such as communicating horizontally to their co-workers about reoccurring challenges amongst the job instead of communication upward. For this reason, Proverbs 4:6-7 state:

“Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Every day we are supposed to seek out for knowledge and not just be idle in the mind according to the Bible.”

References

Bhat, Adi. Qualitative Research: Definition, Types, Methods and Examples. Retrieved from:

https://www.questionpro.com/blog/qualitative-research-methods/

Eicher, D.J. (2007). Primary sources: Handle with care-but do handle: Used wisely, they can be

rich material for bringing the past to life in both nonfiction and fiction. Writer (Kalmbach Publishing Co.), 120(4), 34-37.

Gaille, Brandon. (11, July 2018). "12 Case Study Method Advantages and Disadvantages.

Retrieved from: https://brandongaille.com/12-case-study-method-advantages-and-

disadvantages/

Kramer, M. (1998). Designing an individualized performance evaluation system. FBI Law

Enforcement Bulletin, 67 (3), 20.

Top 7 Communication Barriers at workplace (Benefits of effective communication. Retrieved

from: https://www.yodiz.com/blog/top-7-communication-barriers-at-workplace-benefits-of-effective-communication/

Moor, H. (2015). Mastering Workplace Communication. Optometry Today, 55(6), 41.

No author. (2010). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Washington,

DC ISBN 13: 978-1-4438

Salkind, N. (2012) (8th ed.) Exploring Research. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice.

ISBN: 978-0-205-09381-6

The Holy Bible