Human Resources Metrics, Reporting, and Financial Management Module 4 - Research Design Flashcards
What are the four common research designs?
Surveys
Experimental
Qualitative
Existing Research
What are surveys used for?
Pinpoint areas of concern Observe long term trends Communicate Assist with change and improvement Etc.
What are some important considerations when conducting surveys?
Population sample Questions Data collection method Report format Feed mechanism Etc.
What is random sampling?
A group of employees chosen at random from the whole organization or population
What is stratified sampling?
A group of employees who represent the organization in some way (gender, department, etc.)
What is sampling error?
Sample is insufficient to reflect the entire population.
What are the types of questions that can be asked?
Structured: easy to analyze, limited in scope
Open Ended: difficult to analyze, not restrictive in scope
How should questions be created?
Simply worded
Applicable to all potential respondents
Not leading or loaded
Have a single focus and not be double barreled
What should you avoid in question design?
Acquiescence response styles: when a person gives same favorable response to every question. Avoid by wording various questions positively and negatively.
Social Desirability: when a person gives the answer they think you want to hear. Avoid by using a forced choice behaviorally anchored list.
What are some methods of survey distribution?
Hard copy
Email
Internet
Automated telephone
What are important things to consider when distributing surveys?
Is the survey anonymous?
Timing and logistics of distribution and collection
Ease of response
Cost of implementation
What is the purpose of experimental design?
To find relationships between one or more variables.
Where can experimental research be conducted?
A laboratory - where other variables are controlled
The field - like a workplace where other variables can affect the outcome
What are some experimental research designs?
Post-test only
Pre-test/post-test
Pre-test, control group, post-test
What does qualitative research involve? What are its advantages and disadvantages?
Mainly involves observation and interviews such as one-on-one, group, and focus group interviews.
Advantages: captures dynamic information
Disadvantages: more difficult to analyze, leaves more room for research error or bias
