3.1. Research Design Research design is a two tier process.

The first level provides the logic for a nd helps to structure the research to enable the delivery of the evidence that i s needed to answer the research question. As suggested by (McGivern, 2003), the second level is concerned with data and evidence collection. There are many rese arch designs in the literature, of which case study and experimental research de signs are common. It is argued by (McGivern, 2003) that a case study approach pr ovides an in depth investigation of a case whilst the experimental research desi gn methodology uses independent data and variables to measure effect. This proje ct is well aligned with the case study research design given that it is set out to determine, understand TQM and its impact on employee performance and determin e its overall effectiveness in delivering and meeting performance expectations a nd targets. Although some academics are dismissive of descriptive research, a good descripti on of the underlying research problem is a necessary first step in understanding the nature of the research problem and a better formulation of the research obj ectives. The research design that was used in this project was based on a combin ation of descriptive as well as explanatory research designs because the researc h was set out to understand the relationship between TQM and employee performanc e. The research design is a critical part of the research process because it enable s the collection of the appropriate evidence that is used to answer the research question. But for this to be done effectively requires the specification of the type of evidence that should be collected to describe what it is that the resea rch sets out to do and to answer the research question comprehensively. In order to get an answer to this research question, a qualitative research strategy tha t consisted of the study of the oil companies in Nigeria, the business environme nt they operate in and the services they offer in order to provide an understand ing of the context in which TQM was used. A case study research strategy was used because it aligned well with the objecti ve of the research of obtaining an in depth understanding of the research proble m which enabled a comprehensive study of TQM and employee performance in the Nig eria oil industry which gave context to the study and provided an understanding of the impact of TQM on employee performance. Both deductive and inductive research methodologies were used. The potential imp act of TQM on employee performance was be hypothesised and a comprehensive liter ature review using primary and secondary sources was used to confirm the validit y of the hypothesis. Obtaining secondary data and information was easier to obta in as this was collected from journals, books and from extensively using the Int ernet as a research tool to get a thorough understanding of TQM and its impact o n employee performance.