3.

Introduction
This section is presented under the following sub-headings of Research Method:
Research design and paradigm; Sample and participants; Research instruments and
procedure; Data analysis and Ethical considerations.
3.1. Philosophy Worldview
The word worldview is described as "a fundamental collection of beliefs that direct
behaviour" (Guba, 1990:17). Others have referred to them as paradigms (Lincoln,
Lynham,&Guba,2011, Mertens,2010), philosophies as well as metaphysics
(Crotty,1998), or narrowly defined methodological approaches (Neuman, 2009).
Worldviews are described as a researcher's general philosophical inclination toward
the environment and the essence of science that they bring to a thesis. Worldviews
develop as a result of subject identities, the preferences of students'
advisors/mentors, and previous study encounters.
Individual researchers' views about these variables will often cause them to use a
qualitative, quantitative, or hybrid methods approach in their study. While there is
ongoing controversy about the worldviews or values researchers bring to their study,
will focus on four that have received a lot of attention in the literature Post positivism,
constructivism, transformative, and pragmatism are some of the terms used to
describe these ideologies.
3.2 The Postpositivist Worldview
The typical method of analysis has been represented by postpositivist expectations,
which hold true more for quantitative study than qualitative research. This point of
view is often referred to as the empirical method or doing experimental study.
Positivist/postpositivist studies, observational science, and postpositivism are other
terms for it. This last word is called post-positivism because it reflects the thinking
that came after positivism, rejecting the conventional notion of absolute reality in
science (Phillips & Burbules, 2000) and acknowledging that we cannot be sure about
our assertions of knowledge while observing human behaviour and acts. The
postpositivist tradition derives from nineteenth-century authors such as Comte and
Mill.
3.3. Research Designs
Research designs are modes of investigation that fall under the qualitative and
quantitative approaches that offer clear guidance for procedures in a research
design. Others refer to them as investigation methods (Denzin & Linco 2011).
Research design is informed by the type of studies including descriptive, correlational and
quasi-experimental, review and meta-analytical studies (Jalil, 2013). The researcher opted to
utilise a quantitative research design that is exploratory and descriptive. This study employs a
quantitative approach to carry out the study through a self-designed questionnaire that was
distributed to participants.

3.4 Research Method

The current study will make use of a quantitative research approach design to
determine the views of Total rewards strategies (as independent variables) on the
attraction and retention of youth (as the dependent variables).
A quantitative research approach is all about looking at the relationship between two
different variables and how they influence each other, these are measured
numerically and are then analysed using different techniques that are statistical and
graphical. (Saunders, Lewis, Thornhill, 2019).
The study will make use of this approach due to its ability to collect data at a fast
pace; process this data within a broad scope as well eliminate bias. (Aliaga and
Gunderson, 2002). 3.6 Quantitative Method

Quantitative research approach entailed a quantitative study by means of a

questionnaire distributed to pre-defined professional databases, tertiary institutions,
private and public companies, as well as parastatals. The questionnaire
methodology was selected in order to collect multiple responses from as many
respondents as possible, including employed youths and students, in order to
understand what attracts them to and retains them in organisations. During Phase I
of the research, the researcher took the view that outcomes could be measured and
expressed in numbers (Creswell, 2013); therefore, an objective stand was taken with
the quantitative review of the data.

The researcher was objective, and followed a holistic approach. Quantitative

research can be defined as research with the main purpose of quantifying data
collected during the analysis thereof (Bryman & Bell, 2015). By conducting a survey,
a large number of questionnaires were distributed electronically and in hard copy,
providing the researcher the opportunity to gain an accurate picture of the
preferences of the population (Brewerton & Millward, 2001). The quantitative
methodology shares its philosophical foundation with the positivist paradigm, and is
based on rigid rules of logic and measurement, truth, absolute principles, and
prediction (Halcomb & Andrew, 2005). This was supported by the qualitative
methodology with the interpretive paradigm — the view that there are many truths
and multiple realities (Bryman & Bell, 2015).

In accordance with the objectives of the research, the researcher has decided on a
quantitative research method and a review plan. The quantitative method is viewed
as fitting for this investigation as it empowers the researcher to look at the causal
connections between rewards and worker attraction and retention.
Quantitative research is helpful for portraying patterns and clarifying the relationship
among factors/ variables found in the literature (Creswell 2009:645). As indicated by
Hunter and Erin (2008:290-306), quantitative strategies/ methods incorporate the
following:

 The generation of models

 The development of an instrument and methods of measurement
 Experimental control and manipulation of variables
 Collection of empirical data
 Modelling and analysis of data
 Evaluation of results

Quantitative research is useful when the sample being investigated is large, and it
involves collecting data, analysis, interpreting data and reporting on findings.
Furthermore, Maree (2009:145) suggests that the quantitative research method is
systematic and objective in its method of using numerical data from a selected
representative sample to generalise the findings to the population that is being
studied (Monette, Sullivan & De Jong 2008:9). Silverman (2001:2) further attests that
the features of quantitative research are “hard, fixed, objective, value-free, survey,
hypothesis testing and abstract”. Quantitative data can be seen as consisting of
numbers that have been statistically analysed from a large number of respondents
sampled.

A questionnaire that will be used, is a questionnaire that has been used before to
evaluate what reward categories youths and non youths find meaningful when
deciding whether to join an organisation, as well as what influences them to remain
with an organisation.

3.4.1 Research Setting

The current study will take place in both the private and public sector. The reason for
this is due to how much the employees in each of these sectors differ. Employees in
the public sector have lower rewards and incentives as well as have different
motivations for achieving these from those employees in the private sector. (Aguiar
do Monte, 2017).
3.4.2. Entrѐ and Establishing researcher roles
Researchers have the role of communicating their research effectively to the
participants and ensure understanding takes place. The role of interpreter is also
assumed by the researchers when interpreting participant’s responses to the study.

3.4.3 Population and Sampling

The term Population relates to the whole of a group from which the researcher would
like to do research about. (Bhandari, P, 2021). The population that will be used for
this research is based on an entire generation which is Millennials in the workforce
that live in Johannesburg and are working in either the public or private sector
permanently.

The reason for this selection is to be able to assess how the Total rewards
influences those in each sector and their commitment to their work, especially
because it targets the youth who are currently undergoing changes in demands for
Total rewards.

Sampling is a smaller group taken from the population that data will be collected
from. (Bhandari, P, 2021). This study will make use of Probability sampling which is
the prospect of each case in the target population is known. This kind of sampling
helps the researcher to establish and estimation of what characteristics the target
population will show. This type of sampling also involves different techniques, the
researcher will make use of selecting participants at random from the sample as their
technique. (De Braine, 2021).

3.5. Data Collection Method and Questionairre

The main method of data collection was the questionnaire, designed to elicit
information from the participants (Babbie, 2008). As Creswell (2009) suggests, it is
the researcher who decides, asks specific narrow questions, collects quantifiable
data from participants, and analyses these numbers using statistical procedures. For
the purpose of this study, three instruments were utilised in measuring employee
rewards. Thus the Total Rewards Questionnaire adopted from World at Work (2008)
was administered to the selected respondents. The questionnaire was developed
with the aim of allowing millennials to determine important specific total rewards, as
well as to record their levels of satisfaction with the total rewards they are offered.
However, the majority of questions in this study were based on Likert scales. Cohen,
et al. (2003) maintains that Likert scales allowed for objective responses. The
measuring instrument in this study included the pertinent questions related to the
topic, the problem statement and the objectives. Each questionnaire will contained a
letter explaining the ethical considerations involved, notably that it was a voluntary
exercise but that participation in the completion would be appreciated.

3.5.1 Measuring Instruments

Questionnaire will be utilised in order to solicit data from respondents. The

questionnaire A Likert scale as a psychometric scale allows multiple options which
respondents can choose from to indicate their opinions, feelings and attitudes. The
advantage of using Likert-scale questionnaire is that they provide a high level of
reliability from people’s estimations, that data can be gathered timeously from a wide
range of respondents, lastly that a variety of means can be achieved through the
validity of the data interpreted (Nemoto & Beglar, 2014). The questionnaire will
consist of three sections which are all compulsory for the respodents. A Likert scale
consists of a limited number of responses, for example Agree/Disagree,
Important/Not important, Not useful/Useful or I am not like this/I am like this.

Padayachee (2017) explains that Section A will request demographic data from the
respondents, this data will be kept confidential, the demographic information is
important for a demographic profile. Section B is the total reward elements where the
questionnaire where answers are provided on a Likert scale containing five
categories that respondents can choose from, total reward options’ rank order is the
other part of this section where respondents have to rank according to a scale of 1 to
5 from least to most important. Section C will then give the respondents of the
questionnaire an opportunity to indicate whether they want a copy of the results from
the questionnaire.

Questionnaire administration

3.5.2 Data management and storage

According to Maritz (2003), data management is defined as a discipline focusing
mainly on the proper storage, retrieval and generation of data. Therefore, wise
decisions can be made through relevant data. Data management works together
with storage, data is often stored via databases. A database is described as an
integrated collection of data (Maritz, 2003:80). Data management and storage is
important for the process of acquiring data because it maintains the reliability and
validity of the data.

DATA ANALYSIS

After data collection, data will be captured onto the Excel spreadsheet. Furthermore,
statistical analysis will be conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)
version 26.0 for Windows will be used to perform data analysis. A discussion of these
statistical methods is presented in the next section. Descriptive statistics and inferential
statistics will be used by the researcher to analyse data.

3.6 Quantitative Method

Quantitative research approach entailed a quantitative study by means of a

questionnaire distributed to pre-defined professional databases, tertiary institutions,
private and public companies, as well as parastatals. The questionnaire
methodology was selected in order to collect multiple responses from as many
respondents as possible, including employed youths and students, in order to
understand what attracts them to and retains them in organisations. During Phase I
of the research, the researcher took the view that outcomes could be measured and
expressed in numbers (Creswell, 2013); therefore, an objective stand was taken with
the quantitative review of the data.

The researcher was objective, and followed a holistic approach. Quantitative

research can be defined as research with the main purpose of quantifying data
collected during the analysis thereof (Bryman & Bell, 2015). By conducting a survey,
a large number of questionnaires were distributed electronically and in hard copy,
providing the researcher the opportunity to gain an accurate picture of the
preferences of the population (Brewerton & Millward, 2001). The quantitative
methodology shares its philosophical foundation with the positivist paradigm, and is
based on rigid rules of logic and measurement, truth, absolute principles, and
prediction (Halcomb & Andrew, 2005). This was supported by the qualitative
methodology with the interpretive paradigm — the view that there are many truths
and multiple realities (Bryman & Bell, 2015).

In accordance with the objectives of the research, the researcher has decided on a
quantitative research method and a review plan. The quantitative method is viewed
as fitting for this investigation as it empowers the researcher to look at the causal
connections between rewards and worker attraction and retention.

Quantitative research is helpful for portraying patterns and clarifying the relationship
among factors/ variables found in the literature (Creswell 2009:645). As indicated by
Hunter and Erin (2008:290-306), quantitative strategies/ methods incorporate the
following:

 The generation of models

 The development of an instrument and methods of measurement
 Experimental control and manipulation of variables
 Collection of empirical data
 Modelling and analysis of data
 Evaluation of results

Quantitative research is useful when the sample being investigated is large, and it
involves collecting data, analysis, interpreting data and reporting on findings.
Furthermore, Maree (2009:145) suggests that the quantitative research method is
systematic and objective in its method of using numerical data from a selected
representative sample to generalise the findings to the population that is being
studied (Monette, Sullivan & De Jong 2008:9). Silverman (2001:2) further attests that
the features of quantitative research are “hard, fixed, objective, value-free, survey,
hypothesis testing and abstract”. Quantitative data can be seen as consisting of
numbers that have been statistically analysed from a large number of respondents
sampled.

A questionnaire that will be used, is a questionnaire that has been used before to
evaluate what reward categories youths and non youths find meaningful when
deciding whether to join an organisation, as well as what influences them to remain
with an organisation.

3.7 RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY

According to Creswell (2008), reliability is achieved when an instrument's scores are

stable and consistent. When a researcher administers the instrument on various
occasions, the results obtained by respondents should be identical (Creswell, 2008).
The ‘validity' of the study, on the other hand, refers to the precision with which the
data are interpreted. According to Creswell (2008), content validity is the degree to
which the questions on the instrument are indicative of all possible questions a
researcher might ask about the content or skills related to the construct under
investigation. Second, construct validity examines whether the construct is
measuring what it claims to be measuring (Creswell 2008:173). Factor analysis is
one method for determining construct validity, and if the construct is found to be
accurate and reliable, more statistical tests can be performed to look at possible
relations between the dependent and independent variables.

3.8 Ethical Considerations

The following ethical considerations were considered in order to protect the rights of
the participants and the institutions
3.8.2 Informed Consent

Participants were notified that they will be part of a research paper and that voluntary
participation was needed. Participation of this study was only given after intense
explanation of the purpose of this study.

3.8.3. Anonymity

The anonymity of the participants and organizations was preserved by not stating the
name of the organizations and the name of the participants.

3.8.4 Data Protection

The data that was then collected was kept in a secure space where no one could
access it besides the interviewer ( Akaranga and Makau, 2016)
3.9 REPORTING OF FINDINGS SUMMARY 

The findings from the questionnaire will indicate which one of the attraction and
retention strategies is preferred by the respondents. Keshia Mohamed-Padayachee
found from quantitative research that millennials of different age groups preferred
different types of elements that are most important to them, each group will have
their own strong preferences. This is then used to conclude on the findings of the
different age groups of millennials working in organisations.