Essay: Examining quality and quantities analysis approach

1. Executive Summary
We had chosen two articles one form quantitative in nature and another from qualitative in nature as defied below.
o Research Article 1: A Qualitative Study of the Effects of Employee Retention on the Organization by Tara Lynn Davis
o Research Article 2: Measuring the Effectiveness of Six Sigma Implementation in Fortune 500 Companies: An Empirical Study by Chamith Wasage
We had studied both articles to understand the how quality and quantities analysis approach executed by researcher and how they had concluded the relevancy of the article with the selected mode of research.
I this report we had chosen the standard framework for the research methodology and compared the key aspects of both articles. Result and remark were concluded at the end of the report.
2. Choose a topic :
Research Article 1 Research Article 2
‘ Employee turnover and retention have been a challenge for organizations for many years.
‘ During the past decade, employee turnover has continued to fluctuate, ranging from 27.5% to 16.2% (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011c).
‘ Statistical data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2011c) indicated that employee turnover peaked in 2001 at 27.5%.
‘ These same data showed employee turnover dropped in 2002 to 24.9% and in 2003 to 22.5%. ‘ Economic globalization has presented many challenges to U.S. companies in recent years.
‘ A business process includes three activities: inputs, a conversion or organization process, and outputs.
‘ Six Sigma can be ‘a new paradigm of management innovation for company’s survival in this 21st century’
‘ A review of the literature (Antony, Antony, Kumar, & Cho, 2007; Antony & Banuelas, 2002; Antony, Kumar, & Labib, 2008; Kundi, 2005; Moosa & Sajid, 2010) suggested that the following common vital components should be present to successfully implement Six Sigma: integrating Six Sigma with financial infrastructure, management support, cultural change, organizational infrastructure, training, project management skills, project tracking, project prioritization, understanding Six Sigma tools and techniques, linking Six Sigma to business strategy, linking Six Sigma to employees, linking Six Sigma to suppliers, and linking Six Sigma to customers.
The researcher had reviewed the backgrounds of the subject line before selecting the research topic, as per above some pointer had been refereed from the research analysis report. There is various information available for both the topics, authors had reviewed some the articles as mentioned in reference both articles covers almost 250 articles.
3. Develop a problem statement
Research Article 1 Research Article 2
‘ High attrition rate results in financial losses in the organization as Employee turnover is a significant component.
‘ Due to high turnover rates, productivity, performance, profits, growth, and the ability to contribute getting a decrease.
‘ The study was to understand observe insights of employee turnover and effects of employee turnover
‘ The specific business problem is retention challenges create costly business expenses and have a negative effect on the organizations and the economy. ‘ Six Sigma has mixed results: both positive (achieved financial and non-financial results) and Negative (failed to achieve such results) result achieved by organizations.
‘ Use of empirical research, critical success factors, non-probability sampling surveys reviews for the implementation of Six Sigma projects.
The problem statement is the initial step for any research methodology; it plays an important and significant role which defines the path of the research approach.  For selected both articles respective authors had covered all the required intention for defining the problem statement.
4. Review literature on that particular topic and continue reading
As mentioned we had chosen two different articles for the review and the finding are summarize
Research Article 1 Research Article 2
More than 150 articles / journals were review by authors which are relevant to the topic.   Approx. 94 articles / journals were review by authors to understand the topic and to get the relevant outcome which is relevant to the topic.
Authors of the both articles had taken the reference of approx. 250 articles and in project report also they had summarized the all relevant aspect as per requirement of the topic.
5. Clarify the problem by being very specific on the purpose of the study
Research Article 1 Research Article 2
‘ What are the experiences and perceptions of customer service employees regarding employee turnover
o What events caused the individuals to consider quitting their jobs?
o What are the individuals’ perceptions of employee/management relationships?
o What factors influenced the individuals to quit their job? ‘ Critically investigating such relationships between vital components and performance is essential because a better understanding of such relationships will help managers properly allocate their resources for Six Sigma quality projects
‘ The purpose of this study is threefold:
o To identify vital components for successfully implementing Six Sigma
o To identify key performance indicators
o To identify vital components’ effect on key performance, investigating relationships between vital components and performance.
In both research, the purpose of the research is clearly defined and systemically documents in the report.
6. Define concepts and key terms clearly
Research Article 1 Research Article 2
Key Terms like Employee intention to quit, Job satisfaction, Motivation, Organizational commitment, Productivity, Retention, Skills, and Turnover etc. were defined by authors in a systemic way. All relevant terms i.e. Quality, Total Quality Management (TQM), Costs of quality (COQ), DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, control), DFSS (design for Six Sigma) etc. were defined.
Various terms which were relevant for the study were defined in both articles; definitions were clear and as per research methodology i.e. authors name mentioned along with the definition of key terms.
7. Decide on the research method
Research Article 1 Research Article 2
‘ Quantitative research involves testing a theory, examining relationships, and analyzing statistical data
‘ The researcher had argued that due to ‘quantitative approach was not appropriate for the study because the intent was to understand multiple perceived perspectives employees consider before voluntarily quitting their job’.
‘ Researchers sought personal perception of participants and explored various ways to record it i.e. questionnaire, phenomenological research strategy.
‘ The qualitative research method was appropriate because it seeks to explore the critical influences of employee turnover and retention.
‘ The study involved understanding different human perspectives of employee turnover. ‘ The purpose of the study itself clears that the study approach adopted by the researcher will be Quantitative.
‘ AS researcher had taken the theoretical approach for the gathering data.
Researcher in both articles had had given their view for the selection of methodology whereas it was not much clear from Research Article 2 and in Research article 1 author had clearly why they are choosing qualitative analysis.
8. Write a research proposal – this will help you plan and organize
Research Article 1 Research Article 2
‘ Article is divided in three part initially described about the foundation of study where they studied various research articles, decided about framework, assumption, Limitations,  challenges etc.  then in second part about the project stage where researcher described about the role, purpose, data collection, analysis technique, reliability and validity etc. and at last stage discussed about Application to Professional Practice and Implications for Change
‘ The Phenomenological research study was conducted by interviewing 20 people who voluntarily quit their job.
‘ Identification of various indicators i.e. salary, benefits, and incentives, Recognition, acknowledgment, and appreciation of employees etc. ‘ In this article, researcher started with the background than reviewed the articles (six sigma in details) then focused on research methodology where approach is defied i.e. survey, questionnaire,   sampling, data collection, data analysis, reliability and validity. After that result analysis and discussion, implication and conclusion is mentioning the report.
‘ Research questions classified into two categories i.e. primary research questions (PRQ) and secondary research questions (SRQ)
‘ Based on the research questions, the hypotheses (H) are proposed in order to identify the vital components.
As above, in research article 1 author were used to make appropriate framework to plan his future work and to make he align appropriate walkway identified.  They outline the agenda and worked accordingly. In article 2 details of the six sigma had elaborated deeply. Both articles are well written and process flow of the document is good.
9. Create a Research Plan to help establish a time line
Research Article 1 Research Article 2
‘ The Herzberg two-factor theory (motivation-hygiene theory) was used to explore the factors in employee retention ‘ Six Sigma roadmap is a step-by-step approach to Six Sigma methodology
‘ DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, control)
‘ Deming’s Plan, Do, Check, and Act (PDCA) cycle
‘ The closed-loop process that eliminates unproductive steps, often focuses on new measurements, applies technology to continues improvement
In both article time line was missing whereas Research Article 2 had discussed some approach which was relevant for the study as mentioned above.
10. Check in with your research/ dissertation supervisor/committee
Research Article 1 Research Article 2
Reliability and Validity of the researchers were done in both articles, the correlation matrix
pattern of the variables involved in article 2, where as in article 1 Qualitative validity checks were used for confirming accuracy by using certain procedures validity procedures were documented and it involves cross checking of documents, using member checking, present negative or discrepant information.
11. Collect data
Research Article 1 Research Article 2
‘ Interviews conducted using a semi structured questionnaire.
‘ The interview questionnaires addressed employee turnover and its effects on organizations.
‘ Age factor was also one for the key factor for the selection of participants (they had to be 18 years of age or older and have quit a job in the past).
‘ Participants of 20 customer service agents from Augusta, Georgia were selected for the study.
‘ Access to participants was done by phone, e-mail, and in person.
‘ The interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire ‘ Advantages and disadvantages of mail questionnaires, survey instruments, questionnaire and Likert-scale (1 to 6, strongly agree 6 or strongly disagree 1) were used
‘ The self-administered survey questionnaire consists of two surveys and four sections
‘ Fortune’s 500 list of 2011 used as for the selection of company.
‘ The survey was sent to both (small and large)  size companies
‘ If a company has more than 500 employees it was considered as large and if company has 500 or fewer employees than considered as small company.
‘ To increase the response rate, researchers have used various techniques (Total Design Method (TDM)).
‘ The CEOs were requested to hand over the survey to the company’s Quality Executive/Quality Manager/Quality Professional
Both researchers had chosen a constructive approach for the data collection, mode of collection of the data is based on the survey in article 1 whereas in article 2 they had questionnaire mail to targeted companies to get the feedback. We can say in both articles data collection is kind of survey.
12. Analyse the data
Research Article 1 Research Article 2
‘ Data were analyzed using NVivo 9 software.
‘ The data analysis process involved the following steps:
o collecting open-ended data
o analyzing text and data images
o Understanding and preparing data for analysis
o Moving deeper into understanding
o interpreting the data
‘ Data were interpreted using Moustakas’s (1994) modified van Kaam method of analysis. ‘ Regression analysis is used for the analysis of the various variables.
‘ Hypothesis Test was used to analyze the relationships between groups or of independent variables.
‘ Used multiple regression analysis.
‘ includes 51 responses (N=51) and ten independent variables (vital components)
‘ Leadership and management practice, Linking Six Sigma to human resources, Linking Six Sigma to customers are three major category used for the analysis.
‘ Of the 500 questionnaires mailed, six Questionnaires were returned due to address changes, 54 completed (received in seven weeks).
‘ Out of 54 completed questionnaires, 51 respondents completed Surveys 1 and 2. Additionally, three respondents completed only Survey 2, indicating that they never used Six Sigma.
‘ analysis of the survey is focused on 51 companies
In both articles, researchers had chosen the scientific approach for the analysis. Regression analysis and NVivo9 software are used for the analysis.
13. Draw conclusions/outcomes
Research Article 1 Research Article 2
‘ Employee turnover is a significant problem that negatively affects the economy.
‘ Employee turnover creates significant retention challenges for numerous organizations
‘ Employee compensation was a significant factor in employee turnover and retention.
‘ Benefits and pay raises were also factors that influenced employee turnover and retention. ‘ Only a small number of organizations implemented Six Sigma concept successfully.
‘ Research also focused on identifying relationships between vital components and performance.
‘ Results indicated that leadership and management support was vital for successful Six Sigma implementation.
‘ It was concluded although Six Sigma was initiated in the manufacturing industry; it has been adopted in service organizations.
‘ Despite Six Sigma success in some organizations, only a small number of organizations that start this program succeed, where a large number of them fail
In research conclusion, both researchers had successfully summarized the outcome which is relevant and aligned with the research problem.
14. Make recommendations for future research in your topical area
Research Article 1 Research Article 2
‘Effects of Employee Retention on the Organization’
‘ There is a large scope in future to identify probable direct and indirect variables linkage of the reasons especially in compensation which is the vital component for the industry. ‘Measuring the Effectiveness of Six Sigma Implementation in Fortune 500 Companies’
‘ Only small number of organizations successfully implemented six sigma concepts in the service industry, need to further analyses and drill down the responsible components to make sustainable use of six sigma concept.
15. Conclusion
We had analyzed both articles as per the research methodology and both reports are in line with the same methodology. Researchers had selected the relevant methodology for the research topic as per the need of the problem statement. As data collection is the second most important component of the research methodology after the defining the problem.
We think in the area of data collection for the both articles have more opportunity to improve the quality and relevancy of the research. Here questionnaire for the survey and their scaling had been done to take the desired input from the concerned area.
‘ In survey as the questions is predefined hence chance of false representation is possible.
‘ Results provide less detail on behavior part i.e. attitudes, motivational factors may be due to answer sought as question and answer (Survey) basis.
‘ Results are limited as they provide numerical descriptions rather than detailed narrative and generally provide less elaborate accounts of human perception.
‘ The research is often carried out in an unnatural, artificial environment so that a level of control can be applied to the exercise. This level of control might not normally be in place in the real world thus yielding “laboratory results” as opposed to “real world results”.
‘ Predetermined answers will not automatically reflect how people actually feel about a subject.