Reward systems

CHAPTER 3 Reward systems

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1. INTRODUCTION

The aim of this chapter is to explain, justify and account for the research methodology that has been selected in this study. In conducting the investigation, the researcher intends to proceed from a quantitative-descriptive design. A number of issues related to the research methodology will be extensively discussed below.

3.2. METHODICAL ACCOUNT (RESEARCH: QUANTITATIVE-DESCRIPTIVE)

Thyer as cited by De Vos and Fouché (1998: 77), defines a research design as a “blueprint or detailed plan for how a research study is to be conducted – operationalizing variables so they can be measured, selecting a sample of interest to study; collecting data to be used as a basis for testing hypotheses, and analyzing the results.” Hussey and Hussey (1997: 54), also point out that research methodology refers to the overall approach evident in the research process from the theoretical foundation to the strategies that are used in the collection and analysis of the data. So research methodology can be said to indicate the answers to questions as to how research should be designed, structured, approached and executed.

In this study, the researcher has opted to conduct his investigation through the quantitative-descriptive paradigm. A randomised cross-sectional survey design will be used to investigate attitudes of employees with regard to reward systems. According to De Vos and Fouché (1998: 127), the randomized cross-sectional design is written as follows:

R O1

Where, R = randomized selected subjects

O1 = administration of the questionnaire

It is through the relevant and appropriate quantitative research paradigm that the researcher hopes to conduct a controlled, purposive, accurate, systematic, and scientific research on the impact of reward systems on employee attitudes. The researcher also hopes that the quantitative research approach would enable him to arrive at findings that would have greater validity and less artificiality as a process of measuring the impact of rewards on employee attitudes.

3.3. RESEA...

... middle of paper ...

... caring professions. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik.

Du Plooy, J.L., Griesel, G.A., and Oberholzer, M.O. (1993). Fundamental pedagogics for advanced students. 4th Edition. Pretoria:Haum.

Greengard, S. (2004). Employee surveys: ask the right questions, probe the answers for insight. Workforce management [online], December, 2004, pp76 – 78. Available from: http://www. Workforce.com.html [Accessed 15 April 2005].

Hussey, J and Hussey, R, (1997). Business research: a practical guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students. London:Macamillan

Locke, L.F., Spirduso, W.W., and Silverman, S.J. (1993). Proposals that work: a guide for planning dissertations and grant proposals. 3rdEdition. London: Sage Publications.

Mancosa. (2003). Research methodology. Study guide diploma in management studies. Durban.

Schurink, E.M. (1998). The methodology of unstructured face-to-face interviewing. In De Vos, A.S. (ed.) (1998). Research at grass roots: a primer for the caring professions. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik.

Strydom, H. De Vos, A.S. (1998). Sampling and sampling methods. In De Vos, A.S. (ed.) (1998). Research at grass roots: a primer for the caring professions. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik.