CHAPTER THREE
Research methodology
3.0 INTRODUCTION
This chapter describes the research method and procedures after which the actual process followed to conduct the research, will be explained. The first part of this section discussed the research type, followed by an explanation of the research design. The second part explained the population of the study. The third section of the research methodology discussed the sample technique and the sample size used in this research. The fourth part explained the data collection instrument used around the questionnaire, followed by the research procedure was used to gather the data and the end this chapter discusses the data analysis used in this study.
3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN
The research design is the overall strategy that specifies the methods and procedures for collecting and analysing the required information. It is a plan that need to be followed after research objectives or hypothesis. Research design consist of the type of investigation, the researcher intervention, the setting and the time horizon of the study. As according to Sekaran & Bougie (2013), research design is created for the purpose of developing the theoretical framework and to recognize the variables of the problem.
This study is a correlational study. A correlational study is a quantitative method of research in which the researcher have two or more quantitative variables from the same group of subjects, and the researcher are trying to determine if there is a relationship or covariation between the variables in term of similarity, not a difference between them (Waters, 2000). This study is to investigate the relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable.
The study came up with responses from the sample by using the quantitative method of research. The study adopted a descriptive research design as the researcher attempts to determine the impact of the variables in relation to each other. Descriptive research is characterized by the prior formulation of specific hypothesis. Features of a population or phenomena can be describe in descriptive research, making majority of market research study preferred to use it. This design was appropriate as it gave conclusive results among the research variables.
Thus, the chosen research design must be suitable to the study in order to integrate the different components of the study in a coherent and logical way. This is to ensure that it will effectively address the research problem.
3.2 DATA COLLECTION
Data collection method has been used in this study. The objective of data collection are to collect and obtain the data accurately. The method that used in this study can be obtained from primary data and secondary data. According to Sekaran & Bougie (2013), data collection methods are an essential element of research design and it has its own advantages and disadvantages.
3.2.1 PRIMARY DATA
Primary data is the information that the researcher gained at the first-hand on the variable of the interest for specific purpose of the study (Sekaran & Bougie, 2013). The data are collected based from the first-hand experience and through the distributed questionnaire by the researcher. The first-hand experience based from the researcher’s observation was used in this study in order to find out the impact of performance appraisal in Perbadanan Putrajaya. Hence, the researcher has developed primary data by using questionnaire and distributed it randomly to the employees of Perbadanan Putrajaya.
3.2.1.1 QUESTIONNAIRE
The main data used for this study is through questionnaire. As according to Sekaran & Bougie (2013), questionnaire is the pre-formulated within set of questions to which respondent record their answers, usually within rather closely defined alternatives. This is an efficient method to collect data as it does not cost a lot of money and the researcher will receive the feedback or result faster than from interviews or observation. Besides that, questionnaire is a proficient data collection instrument for the researcher as the researcher knows exactly what is required to measure and how to measure the variables of interest.
As it is generally designed to collect large numbers of quantitative data, 90 employees of Perbadanan Putrajaya will be selected randomly to be the respondents. The type of questionnaire that will be used for this study is a five-point Likert scale method. Likert scale were measured on a five-point that are (1 = Strongly Disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neutral, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly Agree) to reflect the appropriate levels of measurement necessary for statistical analysis.
3.2.2 SECONDARY DATA
In order to gather sufficient information in literature review, the researcher collected secondary data. Secondary data refers to the information gathered by someone other than the researcher conducting the study (Sekaran & Bougie, 2013). The data are frequently historical, previously gathered, and does not involve any admission to respondents of the subjects. In this study, the researcher used the past study related to this topic to obtain the information.
Secondary data helps the researcher to gather sufficient information to understand this topic. All information obtained in secondary data were used to complete this study as the gathered data can be located inexpensively and quickly.
The researcher collected the data for this study from several sources. Two types of secondary data were used by the researcher are from journal articles and book. Secondary data in this study was collected from the published and unpublished sources within Perbadanan Putrajaya and outside the organization. By gathering more information, the researcher able to solve any uncertainties regarding this research topic that cannot be obtained from primary data.
3.2.2.1 JOURNAL ARTICLES
Journal articles has become part of the process or nature to complete one research study. It was one of the vital steps for the researcher as the researcher gathered all needed information for this study. The researcher observed and studies numerous number of journals on the same research topic. The gathered information are very important as it can be a guideline for the researcher to complete this study. Journal articles help the researcher to have a better understanding on the related topic of the past research.
3.2.2.2 BOOK
The book that the researcher used as a guideline for this study are “Research Methods for Business” by Sekaran & Bougie, (2013). This book has helped the researcher to complete this study. Thus, this book has leave a deep meaning to the researcher because this book has become one of the references that the researcher refers to in order to have a better understanding on how to write and produce a good thesis.
3.3 SAMPLING
3.3.1 TARGET POPULATION
Sekaran & Bougie (2013) defined population as the entire group of people, events, or things of interest that the researcher wishes to investigate. This study is to explore the impact of Performance Appraisal (PA) in Perbadanan Putrajaya in the form of career development, work performance and employee motivation. The population of interest consists of all 1,059 employees. The target population respondents were full time, contract and part-time employees employed by the organization and are from different ages, positions and backgrounds. Since the researcher are one of the practical trainees in Perbadanan Putrajaya, the respondents are in a good position to answer all the research objectives. This study will become handy to Division Human Resource Management, one of the division in Department Corporate Service.
3.3.2 SAMPLING FRAME
A sampling frame is a complete list in which each unit of analysis in a research study is mentioned only once (Welman and Krugler, 2001). The sampling frame for this study were the employees within Corporate Service Department in Perbadanan Putrajaya. There are five division under this department which are Human Resource Division, Strategic Management Division, Administration Division, Information Technology and Communication Division and lastly Corporate Communication Division. Currently the total employees employed in this department are 172 employees. The respondents that participated for this study are currently working as clerk, supervisors and middle managers.
3.3.3 SAMPLING DESIGN
In order to create a good questionnaire, a sampling design must be related with the objectives of this study. Sampling can be defined as a process of selecting the right individuals, objects or events as representative for the entire population (Sekaran & Bougie, 2013).
3.3.4 SAMPLING TECHNIQUE
Sampling technique are divided into two major types which are probability sampling and non-probability sampling. According to Naresh K (2010), the researcher must decide to use either a Bayesian or traditional sampling approach, to sample with or without replacement and to use probability or non-probability sampling. Probability sampling are used when the population have some known, non-zero chance or probability of being selected as sample subjects while non-probability sampling are used when the elements do not have a known or predetermined chance of being selected as subjects (Sekaran & Bougie, 2013).
The technique used are a probability sampling as the researcher know the exact number of respondents. The method used are stratified random sampling as it involves a process of stratification or segregration, followed by random selection of subjects from each stratum (Sekaran & Bougie, 2013). The researcher mentioned to focuses on Corporate Service Department for this study and the employees involved are working in either Middle Management and Lower Management. The researcher felt it was more relevant and meaningful if it was according to job levels in the context of this study.
3.3.5 SAMPLING SIZE
Quinlan (2011) defined sample as a small subset of a population, said to be representative in some way of the population. As per the data from Perbadanan Putrajaya, the total number of employees employed in the organization are 1,059. In order to get an accurate result, the rules of thumb are often used for most research to determining the sample size as the sample size are larger than 30 and less than 500. It was impractical to collect data on the whole population by considering the size, as well as the time available to the researcher.
It was a very important issue to collect an accurate result within a quantitative survey design in determining sample size. Therefore the researcher decided the respondents for this study are within Corporate Service Department. The total number of employees that are working as office clerk, supervisors and middle managers within this department are 110 employees. Krejcie and Morgan (1970) created a table in order to accurately determine the sample size needed to be representative of a given population.
As shown in Table 3.1, the sample size needed for 110 employees are 86 respondents as according to Krejcie and Morgan (1970). The researcher randomly distributed 90 questionnaires to 90 respondents among the five divisions.
Table 3.1:
Table for Determining Sample Size from a Given Population
N S N S N S
10 10 220 140 1200 291
15 14 230 144 1300 297
20 19 240 148 1400 302
25 24 250 152 1500 306
30 28 260 155 1600 310
35 32 270 159 1700 313
40 36 280 162 1800 317
45 40 290 165 1900 320
50 44 300 169 2000 322
55 48 320 175 2200 327
60 52 340 181 2400 331
65 56 360 186 2600 335
70 59 380 191 2800 338
75 63 400 196 3000 341
80 66 420 201 3500 346
85 70 440 205 4000 351
90 73 460 210 4500 354
95 76 480 214 5000 357
100 80 500 217 6000 361
110 86 550 226 7000 364
120 92 600 234 8000 367
130 97 650 242 9000 368
140 103 700 248 10000 370
150 108 750 254 15000 375
160 113 800 260 20000 377
170 118 850 265 30000 379
180 123 900 269 40000 380
190 127 950 274 50000 381
200 132 1000 278 75000 382
210 136 1100 285 1000000 384
Note.—N is population size.
S is sample size.
3.4 RESEARCH INSTRUMENT
3.4.1 QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN
Questionnaire are used as an instrument or method to the researcher to bring together the data needed in this study. The researcher distributed to each of the respondents a set of questionnaire that was divided into 4 sections. The 4 sections are as listed in Section A: Performance Appraisal, Section B: Career development, Section C: Employee Motivation and lastly Section D: Work Performance. All respondents were required to answer the entire 24 questions provided excluding demographic questions. The questionnaire for this study was adopted and adapted from the previous study.
Below are the summary of the questionnaire.
Table 3.2:
Origin Sources of Questionnaire Adopted and Adapted by the previous journals
Variable No of items Author Cronbach’s Alpha
Demographic 6 Self-Develop
Performance Appraisal 6 Vignaswaran (2005) 0.801
Career Development 6 Hathorn & Brusoni (2012) 0.851
Employee Motivation 6 Chimwemwe C. (2014) 0.904
Job Performance 6 Vignaswaran (2005) 0.904
The first variable are demographic which was self-develop by the researcher. The aim of this section was to collect demographic information from the respondents of Perbadanan Putrajaya. The questions asked are about gender, age, the level of education, current marital status, working experience and are currently working at which department of the organization.
The second variable are performance appraisal, the dependent variable for this study. The questions asked are all adopted and adapted from Vignaswaran (2005) previous research. The remaining variable as shown above are the independent variables of this study which are career development, employee motivation and job performance. For each of the variables asked in the questionnaire, all of the questions consist of 6 questions for each sections. All items were measured on a five-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neutral, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly Agree).
3.4.2 QUESTIONNAIRE FORMAT
In this designed direct survey, most of the questions are fixed with alternative questions. The respondents need to select from a determined set of response. The Likert Scale have been used in section A, section B, section C and section D which consists of determinant choice question regarding the employee outcomes. The researcher use this instrument as it was an efficient and easier way for the respondents to answer which in the end help the researcher to analyse the data. The questions are closed-ended questions as it was intended to create answers from the respondents on the five-point Likert Scale to measure the impacts of performance appraisal towards employee outcomes.
3.4.3 MEASUREMENT
The survey tools for this study was adopted and adapted from the previous study survey instrument. The questionnaire are divided into four sections excluding demographic questions. Section A asked about the performance appraisal of the respondents which also the dependent variable of this study. The remaining sections are the independent variables for this study that covered information regarding career development, employee motivation and job performance.
3.5 ANALYSIS OF DATA
The data collected are converted into suitable forms to help the researcher to analyze the data easily. In this study, the major data are from the questionnaire. All the data were compiled, checked, edited and analysed by using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) program according to each variable of the study for analysis.
3.5.1 RELIABILITY TEST
Sekaran & Bougie (2013) describe the reliability of measure as the degree to which it is without bias (error free) and hence ensures consistency of measurement across time and across various items in the instruments. It works as an indicator of stability and consistency to measure the “goodness” of data using the instrument (Sekaran & Bougie, 2013). The researcher used Cronbach’s Alpha to indicate how well the items in a set are positively correlated to one another. Table 3.2 below shown the strength of association as according to Alpha Coefficeint Range.
Table 3.2:
Reliability Analysis (Alpha Coefficeint Range)
Alpha Coefficient Range Strength of Association
More than 0.9 Excellent
0.8 to 0.9 Very Good
0.7 to 0.8 Good
0.6 to 0.7 Moderate
Less than 0.6 Poor
3.5.2 FREQUENCY ANALYSIS
Frequency refer to the number of times from various subcategories of a certain phenomenon occur. From these various subcategories, the percentage and the cumulative percentage of their occurrence can be easily calculated (Sekaran & Bougie, 2013). It is used to examine the data of one variable at time.
The purpose of this analysis is to show the number of responses associated with each value of the variables. In this study, the researcher used SPSS program to run simple frequency. The examples of frequency analysis are in pie chart, histogram or even in table.
3.5.3 DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS
It was used to describe the basic features of data in this study. Descriptive analysis involves a process of transforming a mass of raw data into tables, charts, with frequency distribution and percentages as according to Mugenda and Mugenda (2009).
In this study, the descriptive statistics such as percentages of age or gender and frequency distribution were used to analyze the demographic profile of the respondents. It is a vital part of making sense of the data as the data would provide information to the study. In return, the information describes a set of factors in a situation to make them easy to understand.
3.5.4 PEARSON CORRELATION
Pearson Correlation was used to determine the relationship between independent and dependent variable. Sekaran & Bougie (2013) refer Pearson Correlation matrix as a matrix that will include the direction, strength, and significance of the bivariate relationships among the variables. In this study, the impact of performance appraisal represents dependent variable while employee’s career development, work performance and employee motivation represent independent variables.
The data was presented using tables and figures to give a clear picture of the research findings. The value for a Pearson correlation can fall between 0.00 and 1.00. The value of 0.00 indicate that there is no correlation while 1.00 indicate that there is a perfect correlation.
3.5.5 MULTIPLE REGRESSION
A method to examine the impact of performance appraisal in Perbadanan Putrajaya in the form of employee’s career development, work performance and employee motivation. Multiple regression analysis can be used for more than one independent variable to explain variance in the dependent variable.
In this study, it was used to describe the three independent variables which are career development, work performance and employee motivation and the dependent variable which are the impact of performance appraisal. Multiple regression analysis provides a mean of objectives by assessing the degree and character of the relationship between the independent variables and dependent variable (Sekaran & Bougie, 2013).
3.6 CONCLUSION
This chapter elaborated the research methodology used in this study. The researcher used suitable method as it was a crucial item in making sure to accomplish the research objectives of this study. This chapter described the research design processes that include the nature of the study, the data collection method, sampling process, the design of instruments used and analysis of data. The results of the finding analysis data will be presented in the next chapter.