DIPLOMA IN HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (AB107)

BASIC RESEARCH SKILLS (PFN1253)

TITLE OF THE ASSIGNMENT: RESEARCH DESIGN

PREPARED BY:

NAME ID NO SECTION

NOOR FAIZLINA BINTI MOHD ASNA KNJ210510408 05

NUR AMIRA MASHITAH BINTI MOHD HUSAINI KNJ210510439 05

NURHIDAYAH BINTI AZMI KNJ210510438 05

PREPARED FOR:

LECTURER’S NAME: NURUL ATIKAH BINTI MUSTAFA

DUE DATE: 21th MAY 2023

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

NO CONTENT PAGE NUMBER

1 INTRODUCTION 1

2 BODY

- Differences 2–3
- Strength and Weaknesses
- Procedures

3 CONCLUSION 4
 INTRODUCTION

Research design serves as a framework of procedures and methods that ensures the validity,
reliability, and generalizability of research findings. It provides a systematic approach for collecting
and analysing data in order to answer research questions or test hypotheses. Research design
includes several key elements such as the research question, hypothesis, sampling techniques,
methodology, and data analysis techniques. These elements are interdependent and should be
carefully developed and implemented to obtain reliable and valid results. For the first article, The
Effect of Implementing Technology in HRM on the Level of Employee Motivation. This article was
written by Khalil Ghazzawi, Pierre Al-Khoury and Judy Saman and published on 2014. For the
second article, An Investigation of The Effects of Organizational Readiness on Technology
Acceptance in e-HRM Applications. This article also published on 2014 and written by Murat Esen
and Gönül Kaya Özbag. The first article aims to evaluate the existing and emerging concepts of
e-HRM in Lebanese organizations and examine how it influences employee values, perceptions,
and behaviour. Additionally, the paper aims to explore the key factors that contribute to the
effectiveness of HR dashboards and motivate employees. Meanwhile, the objectives of second
article are to investigate how the level of readiness of enterprises to adopt e-HRM applications
affects their perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and behavioural intention towards using
them. Also, to explore how these variables interact with each other and influence the adoption of
e-HRM applications in organizations. The findings of first article is to suggest that while e-HR may
have the potential to enhance employee motivation, there are significant challenges that need to
be addressed. These critical issues may include a lack of user-friendliness in the system,
inadequate training and support for employees to effectively use the system, limited customization
options, and concerns around privacy and data security. Otherwise, the findings of this article
highlight the importance of both perceived usefulness and ease of use in the adoption and
successful implementation of e-HRM applications in organizations. The study suggests that if
employees perceive e-HRM applications as useful and easy to use, they are more likely to have
an intention to use them in the future.

1
 DIFFERENCES

Based on these two articles that we choose for this assignment, there are some differences
between both articles. For the first article, the target population, in this case is the employees that
work in organizations. Sample consists of 162 staff members selected randomly. It is common for
surveys and studies to face limitations that can affect the accuracy of the findings. In the case of
the data collected from employees in Lebanon, the respondents' awareness about the topic under
study could certainly affect the accuracy of their answers. This is a common challenge in social
research, and researchers often try to mitigate this by designing surveys and questions that are
clear, concise, and easy to understand. Meanwhile for the second article, the data for were
collected from a sample of Human Resource (HR) managers representing top 500 largest private
sector companies in Turkey. The survey included only HR decision makers about HRM. The total
number of HR professions for the respondent companies was 86. The positions of HR participants
are; directors, manager and experts.

STRENGTH

According to (Questionnaires, 2022) Questionnaires are a written self-report technique where

participants are given a pre-set number of questions to respond to. They can be administered in
person, by post, online, over the telephone, or to a group of participants simultaneously. The
strength of article one, questionnaires are a relatively cheap and quick way to gather a large
amount of data. Questionnaires are a cost-effective and efficient way to gather a large amount of
data from a large group of people in a relatively short amount of time. They can be administered
in paper form or electronically, making it easier to reach a wide audience. Questionnaires can
collect both quantitative and qualitative data, providing a well-rounded view of employee
engagement and satisfaction levels. However, it is important to note that questionnaires should
be designed carefully to ensure that they are effective in gathering accurate and meaningful data.
Poorly designed questionnaires can lead to incomplete or inaccurate responses, resulting in
unreliable data. Besides, for the second article a major advantage of questionnaires is that they
can be completed privately, and often anonymously, which can encourage respondents to be

2
more honest and candid in their responses. This is particularly true for sensitive or personal topics
such as employee satisfaction or engagement levels. However, the lack of an experimenter to
supervise the completion of questionnaires could present some problems. Respondents may not
fully understand the instructions or the questions and, as a result, may provide incomplete or
inaccurate responses. Additionally, some respondents may choose to skip questions or provide
false information, which can impact the validity and reliability of the data collected.

WEAKNESSES

The weakness for the first article is social desirability bias is a common issue that arises in
questionnaire research. It refers to the tendency of respondents to provide answers that are
considered socially acceptable rather than honest or reflective of their true opinions or beliefs.
Social desirability bias can occur whenever a respondent feels pressure to present themselves in
a positive light or when they believe that their answers may contradict social norms or
expectations. To reduce the impact of social desirability bias, organizations should take several
steps to ensure that the questions are phrased in an impartial and non-judgmental way. Besides
for the second article, questionnaires rely on respondents to provide their answers and return
them to the organization via post or internet. This can present some challenges, such as; Low
response rate, Slow turnaround time and Data collection errors. By using a combination of
research methods, organizations can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the topics
being researched and obtain more accurate data.

3
 PROCEDURES

The procedures that first article used is a research methodology that embraces both literature
survey and empirical investigation is considered a mixed-methods approach. This research
method combines the strengths of both qualitative and quantitative research to provide a more
comprehensive understanding of the research topic. Literature survey, also known as a literature
review, involves the examination of academic literature, relevant publications, and other sources.
Empirical investigation, on the other hand, is the gathering of primary data through surveys,
experiments, observations, or other methods. Primary and secondary data are considered. The
primary data was collected through the questionnaire comprising of 22 questions starting with the
multiple-choice questions regarding the age, gender, educational level. For the second article,
Data were collected from a sample of HR Managers representing top 500 largest private sector
companies in Turkey. This article using three (3) sections in the questionnaires. These are
Organizational Readiness, Technology Acceptance and Demographic Factors. In addition, both
article that we used for this article using the same questionnaires scale which is Likert-type scale.

4
 CONCLUSION

The conclusion of the first article, it seems that the paper is referring to supports the hypothesis
that there is a positive relationship between perceived ease of use and attitude towards using
technology. Specifically, if employees perceive the electronic human resource department as
easy to use, they are more likely to have a positive attitude towards it and be more willing to use
it. This finding is consistent with the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), which is a widely used
theoretical framework for studying user acceptance of technology. According to TAM, perceived
ease of use and perceived usefulness are the two key factors that influence users' attitudes
towards technology and their intention to use it. If users perceive a technology as easy to use and
useful, they are more likely to adopt it. It is important to note that while this finding suggests a
positive relationship between perceived ease of use and attitude towards using technology, it
does not necessarily mean that there is a causal relationship between the two.

The closure for second article, it sounds like the study you are referring to investigated the effects
of several organizational factors on organizational readiness. Specifically, the factors examined
were Organizational Resources, Organizational Technical Support, Organizational Information
Policy, Perceived Organizational Innovativeness, and Perceived Employee Technical
Competency. Organizational readiness is a concept that refers to an organization's preparedness
to adopt and implement new initiatives or technologies. It is an important factor in the success of
organizational change efforts. Besides, Organizational Resources may include financial, human,
and physical resources that are available to an organization, which can affect the organization's
ability to prepare for and implement change. Furthermore, Perceived Organizational
Innovativeness and Perceived Employee Technical Competency are both factors that reflect the
attitudes and perceptions of employees within an organization. By examining the effects of these
factors on organizational readiness, the study may provide insights into how organizations can
increase their readiness to adopt new initiatives or technologies.

5
 REFERENCES

1. Hafez, M. A. (2011), Maintenance of Human Resources, Dar Al Fajr for Publication and
Distribution, 1st Edition.

2. Alegrea J, Chiva R (2008) Assessing the impact of organizational learning capability on

product innovation performance: An empirical test. Technovation. 28(6):315-326.

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 HRS2013/BASIC RESEARCH SKILLS

Grading Rubric for Research Design (Assignment)-20%

Very Good Good Average Below Average Poor Score

(5) (4) (3) (2) (1)
Focus: Purpose Shows very clear Shows awareness Shows limited Shows very limited Shows
awareness of of purpose awareness of awareness of irrelevant
purpose. purpose purpose awareness of
purpose
Main idea Clearly presents There is a main Vague sense of a Very vague sense of Main idea
a main idea and idea supported main idea, a main idea, poorly irrelevant
supports it throughout most weakly supported
throughout the of the paper. supported throughout the
paper. throughout the paper.
paper.
Organization: Well-planned Good overall There is a sense Lacking sense of Demonstrates
Overall and well-thought organization, of organization, organization, limited inappropriate
out. Includes includes the main although some of organizational tools organization
title, organizational the are used weakly or
introduction, tools. organizational missing
statement of tools are used
main idea, weakly or missing
transitions and
conclusion.
Organization: All paragraphs Most paragraphs Some paragraphs Most paragraphs Paragraphs-
Paragraphs have clear ideas, have clear ideas, have clear ideas, didn’t have clear lack clear ideas
are supported are supported support from ideas, support from
with examples with some examples may be examples is limited
and have smooth examples and missing and and transitions are
transitions. have transitions. transitions are weak.
weak.
Content of Exceptionally Well-presented Content is sound Content not Content is not
Research well-presented and argued; ideas and solid; ideas relevant; ideas are sound
Design and argued; are detailed, are present but not clear but not
ideas are developed and not particularly particularly
detailed, well- supported with developed or developed or
developed, evidence and supported; some supported; some
supported with details, mostly evidence, but evidence, but
specific evidence specific. usually of a usually of a
& facts, as well generalized generalized nature.
as examples and nature.
specific details.
Research (if Sources are Sources are well Sources support Sources did not The paper does
assignment exceptionally integrated and some claims support claims made not use
includes a well-integrated support the made in the in the paper, but not adequate
research and they support paper’s claims. paper, but might integrated well research or if it
component) claims argued in There may be not be integrated within the paper’s does, the
the paper very occasional errors, well within the argument. There sources are not
effectively. but the sources paper’s may be a few errors integrated well.
Quotations and and Works Cited argument. There in APA style.. They are not
Works Cited conform to APA may be a few cited correctly
conform to APA style sheet. errors in APA according to
style sheet. style.. APA style, nor
listed correctly
on the Works
Cited page.
 HRS2013/BASIC RESEARCH SKILLS

Style: Sentence Sentences are Sentences are Sentences are Sentences are vague Sentences are
structure clear and varied clear but may lack generally clear and have awkward not clear
in pattern, from variation; a few but may have structure content;
simple to may be awkward awkward many punctuation
complex, with and there may be structure or errors.
excellent use of a few punctuation unclear content;
punctuation. errors. there may be
patterns of
punctuation
errors.

Style: Word There is clear use There is an There is little Style is not clear; Inappropriate
choice, Tone of a personal and attempt at a attempt at style; reads as mundane, attempt at style
unique style of personal style but reads as flat and which is usually
writing, suited to style of writing perhaps generalized and
audience and may be awkward uninteresting in clichéd
purpose; the or unsuited to content, which is
paper holds the audience and usually
reader’s interest purpose; the generalized and
with ease. reader may lose clichéd.
interest in some
sections of the
paper.
Style: Details Large amounts of Some use of Little use of Very little use of Inappropriate
and Examples specific examples specific examples specific examples specific examples use of
and detailed and detailed and details; and details; mostly examples
descriptions. descriptions. May mostly generalized
have extended generalized examples and little
examples that go examples and description
on for too long. little description.
Grammar & Excellent A few errors in Shows a pattern Shows a heavy Continuous
Mechanics grammar, grammar, of errors in pattern of errors in errors
spelling, syntax spelling, syntax spelling, spelling, grammar,
and punctuation. and punctuation, grammar, syntax syntax and/or
but not many. and/or punctuation. Could
punctuation. also be a sign of no
Could also be a proof-reading.
sign of lack of
proof-reading.

---------------- x 20 =
50
 HRS2013/BASIC RESEARCH SKILLS

Score sheet for Research Design assignment

No. Id No. Name TOTAL

(20%)
1. KNJ210510408 NOOR FAIZLINA BINTI MOHD ASNA

2. KNJ210510439 NUR AMIRA MASHITAH BINTI MOHD HUSAINI

3. KNJ210510438 NURHIDAYAH BINTI AZMI

Name of examiner :

Signature : Date :