Methodology例文Word格式.docx

1、The research aim for this dissertation is to investigate the current human resource management practices of small and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs） in China. Obtaining effective data and information is of vital concern to build an accurate picture of the issue being studied. To a large extent, met

2、hodology determines the outcomes of any research. Therefore, it is crucial to choose appropriate research methods and conduct them effectively in order to answer the research question and meet the research objectives well. Discussion of Methodology Theory留学生论文网 Research Philosophy The first question

3、 that any researcher should raise before conducting a real research project is what research philosophy you will adopt, this is very fundamental step and generally speaking, there are three views about the research philosophy that dominate the literature: positivism, interpretivism and realism （Saun

4、ders et al., 2003）.The key idea of positivism is that the social world exists external, and its properties should be measured through objective methods, rather than being inferred subjectively through sensation, reflection or intuition （Smith et al, 1991）. If your research philosophy is positivism,

5、you will assume the role of an objective analyst, make detached interpretations about data collected in a value-free manner and emphasize on a highly structured methodology to facilitate replication （Gill and Johnson, 1997） and quantifiable observations that lead themselves to statistical analysis.B

6、y contrast with positivism, interpretivism is often associated with the term social constructionism which is critical of positivism and argues that rich insights into this complex world are needed. The role of the interpretivist is to seek to understand the subjective reality of those that they stud

7、y in order to be able to make sense of and understand their motives, actions and intention （Saunders et al., 2003）. In other words, social constructionism offers that reality is subjective and it is socially constructed and given meaning by people （Seddighi, 2005）.Finally, realism recognizes the imp

8、ortance of understanding peoples socially constructed interpretations and meanings, or subjective reality, within the context of seeking to understand broader social forces, structures or processes that influence, and perhaps constrain, the nature of peoples views and behaviors （Saunders et al., 200

9、3）.（责任编辑：留学生论文网） Based on the differences of three philosophies, this research is of an exploratory nature which is a kind of social constructionism. As Cooper and Schindler （1998, p. 131） state that, “exploratory studies tend toward loose structure with objective of discovering future research task

10、s”. Besides, MacDaniel and Gates （1999, claim that “exploratory research is usually small-scale research undertaken to define the exact nature of the problem and gain a better understanding of the environment within which the problem occurred”. All of these fit well with the objectives and other con

11、ditions of my research project. Therefore, we adopt the interpretivism philosophy of an exploratory nature in this study. Research Approach Inductive and deductive approaches There are two basic research approaches available when conducting business research including deductive and inductive methods

12、 （Saunders et al., 2000）. Their characteristics are described in the following table: Table Comparison of Deductive and Inductive Research Approach Induction emphasizes Deduction emphasizes -gaining an understanding of the meanings humans attach to events -scientific principles -a close understandin

13、g of the research context -moving from theory to data-the collection of qualitative data -the need to explain causal relationships between variables -a more flexible structure to permit changes of research emphasis as the research progresses -the collection of quantitative data researcher independen

14、ce of what is being researched -a realization that the researcher is part of the research process the application of controls to ensure validity of data -less concern with the need to generalize -the operationalisation of concepts to ensure clarity of definition -a highly structured approach -the ne

15、cessity to select samples of sufficient size in order to generalize conclusions （Saunders et al., 2003） The deductive approach is usually regarded as an effective way to test theories, where people develop a theory and a hypothesis （or hypotheses） and design a research strategy to test the theory （S

16、aunders et al., 2000）. The focus is on whether or not the suggested theory fits, and is appropriate for the organization （Saunders et al., 2000; Seddighi, 2000）. The deduction to research owes much to what we would think of a scientific research, in which you develop a theory and hypothesis and desi

17、gn a research strategy to test the hypothesis （Saunders et al., 2003）.On the other hand, inductive approach is usually used to build theories, in practice, people need to collect data and develop theory as a result of data analysis. Nevertheless, the two methodologies are not mutually exclusive, in

18、reality; they are often used jointly in business and management studies （Seddighi, 2000）. However, it is important to point out that the choices of research approach should base on the research question and research objectives.（责任编辑：留学生论文网）Therefore, there is no question that the inductive approach

19、is appropriate for this particular research. I will use the inductive approach, from data to theory, by collecting the data first and then developing new hypothesis as a result of the data analysis. In reality, the research focuses on not only understanding why something happens in the business sect

20、or but also describing what happens. As the inductive approach usually only tell people why something happens rather than describe what happens （Saunder et al., 2000）, it would have advantage to combine the two approaches in this particular research according to the nature and purpose of this resear

21、ch.Quantitative and Qualitative Approach There are two main types of marketing research in terms of the two, essentially different types of data that are generated by fundamentally different research approaches-quantitative and qualitative methods （Adcock et al., 1995）.Quantitative research involves

22、 the collection of information that can be expressed using a numerical measure （Brassington and Pettitt, 2003）. However, it includes not only numerical data such as sales figures, market share, market size and demographic information, but also the numerical aspects of other data, often derived from

23、primary research, such as questionnaire-based surveys and interviews （Adcoco et al., 1995）. Obviously, the quantitative research usually involves large-scale surveys that enable a factual base to be formed with sufficient strength to allow statistically rigorous analysis （Brassington and Pettitt, 20

24、03）. Therefore, the success of quantitative research to a large extent depends on establishing a representative sample that is large enough to ensure that the data collected are reliable and objective. Due to time and financial constraint, obviously, it is unpractical to conduct a truly quantitative

25、 based research regarding the timetable and the requirement of the research project. That is not saying that quantitative data will not be utilized in this project. In fact, it is important to obtain the quantitative data from secondary sources in order to support the argument.Qualitative research,

26、on the other hand, usually involves the collection of non-numerical data that is open to interpretation, such as customers opinions, where there is no intention of establishing statistical validity （Brassington and Pettitt, 2003）. The essence of qualitative research is that it is diagnostic; therefo

27、re, it is especially useful for investigating attitudes, motivations, beliefs and intentions. In practice, they are usually based on small-scale samples; therefore, it cannot be generalized in numerical terms （Brassington and Pettitt, 2003）. Chisnall （1997） further characterized the method as impres

28、sionistic rather than conclusive, he also pointed out that the approach could provide a better understanding of certain factors that might influence buying decisions. However, it is important to point out that the results generalized from the process are often subjective. But for all its limitations, qualitative research is an effective way to reflect the complexity of the interrelationships associated with marketing activities （Chisnall, 1997）.（责任编辑：Quantitat