Research Design. The data generated by excavations at the prehistoric site(s) will be used to examine at least three topics: (1) chronology; (2) technology; and (3) subsistence practices. Insights into changing patterns of community organization may also be granted, as may insights into changes in social organization. The data recovered will then be compared to data from other regional sites.
Research Design. Since I tried to explore both teachers’ perceptions of teacher autonomy and to find any existing statistical correlations between teacher autonomy and job satisfaction and motivation, I decided to choose mixed methods approach in my study. I analyzed the qualitative and quantitative data separately, and compared the results to each other. This approach is known as convergent parallel mixed methods design (Xxxxxxxx, 2013). According to Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxxxxxx (2011, such an approach is considered to be a strong one because (a) words and narratives contribute meaning to numerical data, and numbers add precision to words and narratives; (b) a wider range of research questions can be covered; (c) a more reliable conclusion can be drawn; (d) cross validation of data can provide higher validity; (e) more understanding can be obtained rather than when single method is used; (f) the results have a better capability of being generalized (as cited in Xxxxxx, 2013, p.115). The qualitative data was gathered using interviews, the most common data collection method in qualitative research design (Jamshed, 2014). Due to the nature of my study, I used semi-structured interviews with pre-set open-ended questions. Even though it might lead to some discomfort between the interviewer and the respondent, during such interviews audio-recording is usually preferred since handwritten notes are considered “unreliable” and the recording allows the interviewer to focus more on the conversation rather than taking notes (Xxxxxxx, 2014). However, I had no issues with getting permission to record the interviews, and signed consent forms were obtained from each participant. The basis for the questions was taken from a study on ‘scope for decision-making’ by Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx (1970), who did a study on how teachers in different districts perceived their freedom to make decisions. As for the quantitative part, the data obtained helped me explore whether there are any substantial links between teacher autonomy and job satisfaction and motivation. To collect the data I used a cross-sectional survey. Surveys allow researchers to “generalize from a sample to a population so that inferences can be made about some characteristic, attitude, or behavior of this population” (Xxxxxxxx, 2013). In my case, I attempted to make inferences about teacher autonomy and its link to job satisfaction and motivation. There are many ways to administer a survey: via telephone, on paper, personal interviews or mass ...
Research Design. This research aimed at providing an in depth understanding of the Xxxx Xxxxxxxx University strategic motive/s of forming strategic alliances with middle level colleges and the challenges encountered in the management of the alliances from the point of view of JKUAT. When selecting the case, the researcher used information- oriented sampling as opposed to random sampling. A case study research design was found to be the most ideal as it would allow in depth examination of the problem and also because the study is of qualitative nature. This would help the researcher to find the underlying principles as it would provide a systematic way of looking at the event /s, collecting data, analyzing information, and reporting results. It is said that case studies provides insight for problem solving, evaluation and strategy (Xxxxxx and Emory, 1996). This research design was used by Xxxxxxx (2002), Koigi (2002), Musyoki (2003) and Owour (2004) among others with good results.
Research Design. The research design adopted in this study is ex-post facto. To this end, the study made use of quantitative data and specified linear model to examine the relationship between Nigerian insurance sector development and Nigerian economic growth.
Research Design. This dissertation evaluates the explanatory power of my typological framework in accounting for variation in economic governance institutions in single and many veto player governments. Given that my argument relies substantially on the effects of pro- posed mechanisms, namely the particularism and stability of the policy environment, my research goals value assessing mechanisms as much as the effects of my indepen- dent variables. I opt to employ a research design that relies on qualitative tools of analysis, examining a small sample of countries, some with longitudinal changes, to get all the possible values for my typological argument. In looking intensively at a smaller number of cases, I am able to determine whether the independent variables had the anticipated effect and whether the mechanisms hypothesized by the theory are connecting cause to effect as expected. Such an approach provides greater cer- tainty at the cost of generalizability. If the subsequent tests falsify my independent variables, it is of great importance that we learn where it broke down. In the chapters that follow, I evaluate whether the magnitude of variation in independent variables matches the magnitude of variation in the dependent variables (Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, 2005). This congruence method will allow me to directly evaluate causal effect. By carefully and systematically selecting these cases, I will be able to produce results that are capable of generating some modest, contingent generalizations about the larger population of the single and many veto player sub-types. I examine Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore –the first two of which contain multiple, within- case observations. As the following table indicates, the cases selected contain the necessary variation. Low Vulnerability Moderate Vulnerability High Vulnerability One Veto Player Post 1969 (MY); Single Party (TH); Military Rule (TH) Semi-Democracy (TH)* Pre 1969 (MY) Singapore Penang (MY) Many Veto Players Coalitional Democracy (TH) Post-Crisis (TH) Instability Period (TH)** Table 2.1: Case Selection *In this period there was a single veto player in charge of macro policies and a many veto player coalition in charge of sectoral/micro policies. *I do not have a case that fits in this cell of the typology but the theoretical argument suggests that such a case could not exist long (i.e. it would be overthrown, invaded, or reformed with fewer veto players). I will briefly discuss the instability period in Thailand to expl...
Research Design. This chapter will describe the methods used in this study. This chapter will present in paragraph 3.1what the case study is and justify why it chose for a case study. Furthermore, it will discuss the qualitative research design of this study and why this design fits best in this study. Paragraph 3.2 will discuss the data collection method (document analysis) and the types of data that were used in this study. Paragraph 3.3 will operationalize the concepts and present how the relevant documents were collected. Paragraph 3.4 will discuss the limitations of this study. This chapter will end with a summary of the research design.
Research Design. Theories of foreign policy should be tested by empirical analysis. But why do case studies? According to Xxx (2003, 58), not only would ‘the demands of a case study burden [one’s] intellect, ego, and emotion far greater than those of any other research strategy’ due to non-routinized data collection procedure whereby there is a ‘continuous interaction between the theoretical issues being studied and the data being collected,’ but a case study would be the best research strategy to ask ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions over a set of contemporary events whereby the researcher has very little or no control (Xxx 2003, 9). The cases chosen should cut across several themes. The themes must encompass issues that are politicized, or belong to the political system (Falkemark 1982, 46). Or, as Xxxx puts it, an issue must be the object of conflicting preferences and of material importance (Falkemark 1982, 35). Employing such parameters, obvious cases would include nationally prominent issues involving the interests of many elements of society. These issues may include banal but strategically important issues for the country, or issues that could be regarded as a crisis. Recalling Xxxx’x strict test for determining the presence of a ruling elite, implementation thereof requires that a series of concrete cases where key decisions are made be examined (Xxxx 1958, 469). Hence, the dynamics of decisions must be analyzed. This step involves paying attention to the saliency of the elites, for saliency is extremely important in shaping organized and structured opinion, and subsequently, the elite perceptions of this opinion. While contents of attitudes and opinions tend to remain stable over time, saliency fluctuates considerably, influencing in turn the ‘perception of the content of opinion’ (Everts 2002, 48). Data for these selected cases shall be primarily obtained by personal interviews with members of the political elite groups (bureaucratic, members of parliament, military, and civil society comprising academic, religious, and interest groups, and media), specifically those who were involved with policy discussions or deliberations. The names of those interviewed are included in the Bibliography of this study. The purpose of the interviews was to obtain insight into the mind of the particular elites (Xxxxxxxx 2001, 94), individually or collectively, so that their attitudes and opinions are identified, and, ultimately, their policy preferences on the politicized foreign policy ...
Research Design. The current study used qualitative research method. According to Xxxxxxxx (2014) the qualitative research method seeks to explore the phenomenon in its natural context through exploring, understanding, and interpreting the views experiences, and perceptions of the participants in the study. One of the strengths of the qualitative research is to represent the narrative description of people opinion, views and perspectives about the issues or topic under study. The qualitative methods are also useful in recognizing various factors, such as socioeconomic, ethnic, cultural, ideological, and political influence on the phenomenon under study. Thus, the current study of the Grade 11 students’ decision to study World History subject required an in-depth exploration and understanding of the factors that the students’ choice about World History subject. Consequently, it was necessary to learn opinions of the students: who chose the World History. Furthermore, the qualitative research design allowed me to explore the research questions through a wide range of perspectives collected from World History teachers and other subject teachers, students, parents, school administration and subject coordinator. All these stakeholders have a direct or indirect influence on students’ choices of subjects and therefore it is important to take into account their perspectives about World History subject. According to the Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory (Xxxx, 2010) the parents are innermost environmental layer and children are influenced by them.
Research Design. This research initially began as the study of a specific UK primary school setting (Phase 1). Participation was invited from teaching and support staff, including the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo), for validity (Xxxxx et al, 2011; Samsi, 2012). After the initial meeting between the researcher and the volunteers, one teacher withdrew from the study. In the interest of rigour (Xxxxx et al, 2011; Frankfort-Nachmias, 2014), the research design was subsequently changed, inviting participation from UK-based teachers and teaching assistants (TAs) in the researcher’s professional network (Phase 2). This second phase added space triangulation (ibid), eliciting perspectives from a variety of school cultures. A sample of eleven teachers and TAs at various stages of their careers was recruited. The research schedule, introductory recruitment letter, sample data collection instruments, permission form, terms of consent and informed consent forms can be seen in Appendices H to O.
Research Design. My research design combines within-case analysis of individual cities, subnational comparisons across cities within Indonesia and within the Philippines, and a controlled comparison between Indonesia and the Philippines. Each layer of comparison serves a distinct inferential purpose. The first adjudicates among rival hypotheses; the second clarifies the relationship between each city case and the broader population of cities within the same country; and the third lays claim to “external validity” within an explicitly defined population of similar countries. First, I analyze change over time within individual cities to adjudicate among rival hypotheses. The various approaches to taxation imply very different observable mechanisms as the link between local tax politics and tax outcomes, making it possible to eliminate hypotheses with respect to individual cases by comparing them to the observed mechanisms that play out within a single case over time. For example, the class conflict approach expects taxes to rise when voters demand taxes to “soak-the-rich”; the patronage approach expects taxes to rise when local “oligarchs” or “bosses” squeeze their political opponents; and the fiscal contracts approach expects taxes to rise when taxpayers demand better public services. I compare these expectations to the observed mechanisms at work in each case, finding evidence that taxes rise when business taxpayers are organized enough to demand better public infrastructure—a mechanism consistent with the fiscal contracts approach. I observe mechanisms by drawing on interviews, press accounts, and government documents to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to a particular policy, and to identify key actors, their underlying interests, and their influence within the policy- making process. These sources record the publicly stated opinions of key participants about the goals and effects of proposed policies, so to the extent that my interpretation of these sources is convincing, my claims about collective tax outcomes rest on individual “microfoundations” of the expressed intentions of city officials, tax bureaucrats, and businesspeople. Second, I exploit subnational variation to compare cities that exhibit different outcomes despite sharing many otherwise similar characteristics. This logic, comparing “most similar cases with different outcomes”, enables a researcher to evaluate how well a particular explanation correlates with variation across cases. Explanations ...
