MASTER IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (BLENDED)

GSDM7264: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: CHAPTER 1

RESEARCH TITLE:
THE EFFECTIVENSS AND CHALLENGES OF WORKING REMOTELY IN SERVICE
SECTOR: A CASE OF TAYLOR’S UNIVERSITY LAKESIDE CAMPUS EMPLOYEES IN
SELANGOR, MALAYSIA.

Group Name: SMARTLINK GROUP

 

STUDENT NAME MATRIX NUMBER

ARIFF ABAS DUANI BIN NASARUDIN MC210112797 
FARAH NADIAH BINTI MAHMUD MC210112726 
NOORSHEFATYMA BINTI ELEC MC210112915

Section : MC-B10
Lecturer’s Name : Dr Sarina binti Mohamad Nor
Submission Due : 26th June 2022
 CHAPTER 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Chapter Overview

Chapter 3 will explain how the process of the research will be carried out. It will begin with a

brief explanation of research design, population, sample size, sampling technique, sampling

framework and unit of analysis. The instrument for data collection method will be explained in

this chapter. The process of data collection and pilot study will be included in this chapter.

Lastly, the reliability test will be included. Chapter 3 will be concluded with the summary in the

last part.

3.2 Research Design

A qualitative research method is going to be implemented in this paper to identify the

effectiveness and challenges faced by employees in Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus,

Selangor when they are working remotely. Phenomenological studies were used to identify the

relationship between the stated variables. An interview will be conducted with employees who

have experienced working remotely based on their own perspectives. There is no scientific

method to determine on the sample size (Kumar, S. et al.,2020) and does not require specific

sample sizes, nor does it require that the sample size be determined a priori (Sim, J. et al.,2018).

Once the saturation is being reached during the data collection, the interview can be discontinued

(Saunders, B. et al.,2018).
3.3 Population

As discussed, Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus, Selangor employees that work remotely is

the core participants group and subjects to be studied in this research. This target population is

expected to identify the effectiveness and challenges faced by employees in Taylor’s University

Lakeside Campus, Selangor when they are working remotely, and willing to make a significant

contribution towards this study.

3.4 Sample Size

There are no specific rules for sample size in qualitative research (Turnet et al., 2021). It is due

to the nature of qualitative research of collecting data is more essential in quality compared to the

quantity. The sample size generally does not aim to estimate magnitudes and generalize to a

larger population, rather to evaluate patterns in a data set (how and why rather than what).

Therefore, there are no well-established published guidelines to allow formal estimation of

sample size a priori for qualitative research. According to Sime et al (2018), the sample sizes for

qualitative research depends on the data collection validity, available time, and resources for the

research to be conducted. The study will be conducted until the number of answered themes of

the study are obtained. In addition, guidance on specific sample sizes needed to reach saturation

in different qualitative methods has been absent or vague in the methodological literature,

providing only general “rules of thumb” that are rarely evidence-based (Morse, 1995; Guest et

al., 2006; Kerr et al., 2010; Bryman, 2012; Hennink et al., 2019). As research empirically

assessing saturation begins to fill this gap, it allows us to provide much-needed empirically based

guidance on sample sizes for saturation in qualitative research.

3.5 Sampling Technique

Data collection is critical in research since the data is intended to aid in the comprehension of a

theoretical framework. It is then critical that the method of obtaining data and from whom the

data will be obtained be chosen with caution, especially since no amount of analysis will

compensate for incorrectly collected data. Purposive sampling, also known as judgement

sampling, was used in this research to select participants based on their characteristics. Purposive

Sampling is a procedure that is followed by researchers in ensuring that the criteria override any

respondents who can be selected as a sample (Ika Lenaini, 2021). It's a non-random strategy that

doesn't require any underlying ideas or a predetermined quantity of participants. To put it another

word, the need for the information was identified, and from there, efforts were made to identify

those who could and would provide it based on their training or expertise. It's most used in

qualitative research to find and pick the most information-rich examples to make the most use of

available resources. This entails identifying and selecting individuals or groups of individuals

who are knowledgeable and skilled in a topic of interest. In addition to knowledge and

experience, the importance of availability and willingness to participate, as well as the capacity

to articulate, express, and reflect on experiences and ideas. Unlike random studies, which aim to

include people of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures, the goal of purposive sampling is to focus

on those who have specific traits and will be better equipped to help with the research.

3.6 Sampling Framework

The parameters of the systematic review will be established by the inclusion and exclusion

criteria. normally after formulating the research question and before the search, however it may

be necessary to do scoping searches to identify the proper criteria. As inclusion or exclusion

criteria, many distinct things might be considered. In the methodology portion of the systematic

review, information concerning the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be presented as a

paragraph or table. The definitions and the source of the definitions used for specific topics in the

research question may also need to be provided.

The size of the sample, the method of sampling, or the participation of an appropriate

comparison group in the study might all be additional inclusion or exclusion criteria. When a

single study is described in several papers, the results will be combined or only the most recent

information will be presented. Based on these inclusion and exclusion criteria, we can make a

judgment regarding their impact on the external validity of the results. Making those judgments

requires in-depth knowledge of the area of research, as well as of in what direction each criterion

could affect the external validity of the study. (Patino, C. M. et al., 2018).

The criteria for the respondents are they must be employees of Taylor’s University Lakeside

Campus that work remotely. Those who have no experience working remotely will be excluded

from the list of potential respondents. The potential respondents must have certain criteria to fit

in as the respondents. This target population is expected to identify the effectiveness and

challenges faced by employees in Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus, Selangor when they are

working remotely, and willing to make a significant contribution towards this study.

3.7 Unit of Analysis

The unit of analysis for this study will be the employees from Taylor’s University Lakeside

Campus that experienced working remotely.

3.8 Survey Instrument

The survey instrument method is a critical part of research design and analysis. As this paper

deploys qualitative research, an interview will be conducted with employees or respondents who

have experienced working remotely based on their own perspectives. Survey instrument via

interview is an effective method if the researcher is aware of the requirement and measurement

of the variables.

The main data collection tool is conducting an interview. There is no scientific method to

determine on the sample size (Kumar, S. et al.,2020) and does not require specific sample sizes,

nor does it require that the sample size be determined a priori (Sim, J. et al.,2018). Once the

saturation is being reached during the data collection, the interview can be discontinued

(Saunders, B. et al.,2018). The interview questions are going to be divided into three (3)

sections, namely Sections A, B and C as below:

Section A – Demographic Profile of the Respondents

Section A focuses on obtaining the demographic information of the targeted respondents. There

are seven (7) statements such as nationality, gender, age group, household income level, marital

status, academic qualification, and period of working from home.

Section B – General Questions

This section focuses on the experience of the respondents while they are working remotely. A

total of two (2) statements represented their experience.

Section C – Sub-questions

This section is very much related to the challenges towards achieving the effectiveness of

working from home in terms of physical, psychological, technological, financial, and job

performance. A total of 5 statements represents all five (5) dimensions in achieving the

effectiveness of working from home.

Table 3.3: Survey Instrument

No. Sectio Variables Total number Sources

n of Statements
1 A Demographic 7 Self-construct

2 B Experience while 2 Self-construct

working remotely

3 C Challenges while 5 Self-construct

working remotely
1. Physical
2. Psychological
3. Technological
4. Financial
5. Job
performance

Table 3.4: Survey Instrument on employees' experience and challenges while working
remotely

Section B: Experience

No. Variables Total number of Statements Source

1 What are the effectiveness 1 Self-construct

and challenges of working
remotely?
 2 Do you consider yourself 1 Self-construct
to have a healthy work-
life balance while working
remotely?

Section C: Challenges on physical, psychological, technological, financial, and job

performance.

Variables Total number of Statements Source

1 What is the best way to 1 Self-construct

deal with negative health
habits?

2 How often do you feel 1 Self-construct

lonely working alone
remotely and do you feel
any depression sometime?

3 How do you deal with the 1 Self-construct

internet and your phone
distraction and
interruption when you are
working remotely?

4 What is the financial 1 Self-construct

difference between
working remotely and
working in an office?

5 Is there a major difference 1 Self-construct

in your key performance
between working remotely
and working in an office?
What will he use as a
benchmark, a daily
activity, or a set of goals
 to achieve?

3.9 Pilot Study

According Malmqvist J et al (2019), pilot study has three aims which are to gather the data to

give guidance for the research intended, to investigate how researchers can utilize and to record

the data and the tools of analysis for research study. Pilot study will be conducted by

interviewing a selected number of respondents from Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus. The

research questions being asked, and their numbers were taken into consideration. The interview

process will take around 60-90 minutes per respondent (Humans of Data, 2018). NVivo software

will be used to analyze the audio, text, image after the interview for data analysis process. NVivo

is a software program that is used for data analysis in qualitative research.

3.10 Reliability of the instrument

In qualitative research, the reliability of the study is the stability of the multiple code of a set of

data by enhancing the detailed noted with the usage of recording devices. The validity of

qualitative research is using different terms. According to O’Connor C and Joffe H. (2020),

Lincoln and Guba used the term ‘trustworthiness’ to validate the internal and external validity,

reliability, and objectivity of the studies. Trustworthiness of the studies can be achieved by

fulfilling criteria such as credibility, authenticity, transferability, dependability, and

confirmability (Lincoln and Guba, 1985). It is necessary to look for dependability of the result

since it will be change and instable for qualitative research. The validation in qualitative research
is to find the ‘accuracy’ of the result as best as possible described by the respondents (Creswell

and Poth, 2013). Any report of the studies must be represented by the report's accuracy during

the research. Cresswell and Poth believe that validation is the process that needs to be made

instead of verification if time is spent in the field, description in details and relationship between

respondents and researchers.

The reliability for the studies conducted to investigate the effectiveness and challenges of

working remotely in the service sector at Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus employees can

be recorded and translated after the interview process. The stability of the theme needs to be

achieved to get the accuracy as desired.

3.11 Administration of Survey Instrument

In certain cases, conducting surveys involves asking participants directly rather than having them

read the survey questions beforehand. These surveys are an example of an interview. A

qualitative interview is the method adopted. Data is gathered by direct communication, which is

how interview methodology differs from survey research.

As established here, an “interviewing involves asking questions and getting answers from

participants in a study. The asking and answering of questions can be done in person or can be

mediated by the telephone or other electronic devices (e.g., computers or tablets). The interview

process will take around 60-90 minutes per respondent (Humans of Data, 2018).
3.12 Matrix for Data Analysis

In recent years, numerous researchers have conducted an increasing number of qualitative

studies. Typically, qualitative research generates vast quantities of textual data in the form of

transcripts and field notes. Preparing and analyzing qualitative data in a systematic and thorough

manner is typically time-consuming and labor-intensive. To alleviate this load, qualitative

researchers must understand the objective of the matrix for data analysis and become familiar

with the processing and analysis capabilities of NVivo.

NVivo is a qualitative and mixed-methods research software tool. It is utilized specifically for

the analysis of unstructured text, audio, video, and image data, such as (but not limited to)

interviews, focus groups, surveys, social media, and journal articles. As it would be time-

consuming to transcribe all the interviews, we will employ analysis software that will allow us to

code both transcripts and audio files. Therefore, NVivo software will be selected because it fits

these criteria.

We will also utilize the audio converter software, which will assist in converting the audio files'

format to mp3, which NVivo eventually accepted. The word-formatted transcript can be

transferred without difficulty. After transferring all relevant files, the next stage was coding,

which is the process of assembling (across documents) linked extracts into basins called nodes.

Since analysis is driven by grounded theory analysis principles, we will ensure that the first two

transcripts and audio files are thoroughly read and listened to, and that interesting excerpts are

tagged as free nodes. Particularly, transcripts were thoroughly examined, and nodes were formed

to store pertinent transcript excerpts or content. In NVivo, imported audio-files appear as audio
waves that can be listened to and separated into audio extracts. In addition, NVivo helps to

improve the precision of qualitative studies.

Furthermore, the aim of this study is to explore the challenges experienced by remote workers at

this time, as well as what virtual work characteristics and individual differences affect these

challenges. From the employee's perspective, the goal was to contribute to the efficiency of

remote work and highlight studies that were as relevant to the review and data collection as

possible, based on a variety of grounded theory analyses. Grounded theory analysis is a well-

established method utilized in several research studies. Therefore, qualitative data generation

techniques can be used in a grounded theory analysis study (Chun Tie, Y. et al., 2019).

3.13 Chapter Summary

In-depth information on the selected research design, including the population, sample size,

sampling technique, sampling framework, unit of analysis, and questionnaire design, has been

presented in this chapter. The administration of the survey instrument and the matrix used to

evaluate the data gathered were also further detailed in this chapter.

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