CHAPTER 4

METHOD

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of styles of problem solving, which are
thinking, feeling, sensing and intuitive on life satisfaction. This study was conducted by using
the following steps:
1) Selection of questionnaire
2) Selection of participants
3) Data collection procedure
4) Statistical analysis of data
Sample
The present study was conducted in different Universities of Faisalabad city. The
sample consists of 150 participants (75 males & 75 females). The age of participants (both
gender) ranged from 20 to 25 years.
Sampling technique
The data of the present study was collected through convenient sampling technique.
Research Design
A correlational research survey design was executed to conduct the present study. The
study was completed in one step.
Inclusion and Exclusion criteria
Following criteria had been set for the participants for the inclusion in the study
a) Who fall within the range of 20 to 25 years.
b) Belongs to middle socio-economic status
c) Voluntary participation in the study
Procedure
First of all researcher got the list of Universities located in the Faisalabad city then
conveniently selected the participants from different universities. A letter of consent
describing the research project was provided to the authorities of universities along with the
questionnaires. After getting permission from authorities of academic institution, the
researcher introduced herself and briefly described the purpose of the study of the
participants. Confidentiality regarding information and results was assured. The participants
were informed that if they are willing for voluntary participation in this study, they have to
sign the consent and those who did not participate were allowed to leave the participation in
research. Once the rapport was developed, the demographic data sheet was administered. It
consist of items focusing on an individual’s demographic information e.g. age, sex,
education, birth order and family structure etc. On the basis of available demographic
information the participants were screened out with reference to the set criteria for inclusion
in the study. Screened participants were then continued with administration of following
questionnaire: Problem Solving Style Questionnaire (PSSQ), after five minutes break
administered Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS).
Both scales were administered in group setting; same procedure was used during
administration of scale on all Universities. After completing administration procedures, the
researcher showed her gratitude to all the participants for voluntary participation in the study.
In the end all the scoring were done according to the standard procedure given in
manual and the data is transferred to the SPSS sheet for statistical analysis.
Statistical Analysis
In order to examine the data statistically, SPSS, Vol. 20 was used for statistical
analysis. The data of 150 students were analyzed to examine the relationship between
problem solving styles and life satisfaction. Pearson correlation, multiple regression,
Independent sample t-test, and ANOVA analyses were computed for hypothesis testing and
to achieve the study objectives. Data of the study was further analyzed with hierarchical
regression to see the strongest predictive ability of leadership styles for job involvement
among teachers.
Ethical Consideration
The study was carried out following ethical considerations and the sample was
approached directly by the researcher after having consent for participation and acquiring
permission from the concerned authorities (heads of university departments). Participants
were briefed about the goals and procedure of the study and were assured about the
confidentiality of information. It was made clear to them that questionnaire is about their
perception of their heads’ problem solving style. It was emphasized that questions should be
answered sincerely with genuine responses to reflect their true feelings. The participants have
been informed that they have right to terminate their participation in this study at any time.

Description of measures / Instruments

Demographic Data Sheet
Demographic data sheet was developed according to the requirements of the research.
The information focused on the participant’s age, sex, birth order, family structure etc.
Problem Solving Style Questionnaire (PSSQ)
This was developed by Cassidy and Long (1996) and was used to measure different
problem solving styles. It is self report measure of 20 items divided into four subscales
including Thinking, Feeling, Intuitive and Sensing problem solving style. Thinking problem
solving style contains 5 items (item no. 1, 7, 12, 15 & 20), Feeling problem solving style
contains 5 items (item no. 2, 6, 9, 14 & 17), Intuitive problem solving style contains 5 items
(item no. 3, 8, 11, 13 & 18), Sensing problem solving style contains 5 items (item no. 4, 5,
10, 16 & 19). The responses were rated on 5 point rating scale ranging from 1 = strongly
disagree to 5 = strongly agree. Score of each subscale ranged from 1 to 25.
Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS)
This was developed by Diener, Emmons, Larsen, and Griffin (1985) to measure the
life satisfaction and contentment. It consisted of five items. Respondents were asked to rate
the extent of their agreement to the items accross a 7-point Likert type scale ranging from 1
(strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree). The higher scores on this scale show that individual
is satisfied, while low scores represents dissatisfaction with life.

OPERATIONAL DEFINITION
Problem solving style questionnaire
Problem Solving Style Questionnaire (PSSQ) was developed by Cassidy and Long (1996)
and was used to measure different problem solving styles. It is self report measure of 20
items divided into four subscales including Thinking, Feeling, Intuitive and Sensing problem
solving style.
Problem solving is a process by which people recognize and respond to problems in living by
altering the problematic nature of the situation itself and the person’s response to the
situation, or both (Nezu et al., 2004, p.225).
Satisfaction with life scale
Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) was developed by Diener, Emmons, Larsen, and Griffin
(1985) and was used to measure the life satisfaction and contentment. It consisted of five
items.
Multifactor leadership styles Questioner
The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ-5X) is the standard instrument for assessing
transformational and transactional leadership behavior (Bass &Avolio, 2000; Avolio& Bass,
2004).
The state-of-the-art paradigm within leadership is the theory of transformational –
transactional leadership proposed by Burns (Burns, 1978) and further developed Bass and
Avolio (Bass &Avolio, 2000).
Over the last two decades, the Multifactor leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) has been
developed and validated (Avolio& Bass, 2004). It is now the standard instrument for
assessing a range of transformational, transactional and non leadership scales. The
effectiveness of transformational leadership has been proven in a number of settings and in
many countries around the world (Judge & Piccolo, 2004).
However, as there had been no validated German translation of the MLQ, the application of
transformational leadership in German-speaking countries had been limited in a number of
ways. In this paper, we report about a new translation of the MLQ into the German language
(Rowold, 2004b) and provide empirical evidence for its sound psychometric properties. The
newly translated instrument was administered to subordinates in a number of heterogeneous
samples. The results demonstrate high factorial and convergent validity as well as internal
consistency, testretest-reliability, and interrater agreement. In sum, the MLQ with its nine
leadership scales and three outcome scales is now applicable in German contexts.