. Methodology
Creswell (2008) describe research
methodology as the most critical part of the research as it includes the
explanation of research design and the techniques that will be utilized in
carrying out research and collecting data. This chapter includes the
information about research sample, limitations, and tools for data collection,
analysis approaches and philosophical background of the study
3.1 Research Design
Research
design is defined by Burns and Groove (2003, pg195) as a blueprint of all the
methodologies involved to conduct the research and with having control over the
factors that might interfere to affect the validity and reliability of the
research findings. Depending upon the
nature of the current problem statement the research design selected for this
study is “Descriptive” which will involve the collection of data through
survey, literature and observations.
3.2 Data Collection
In
research design generally there is two type of data, Qualitative and
quantitative. The research data is all the information that the researcher
collects during the research process to meet the requirements of objectives and
answer the research questions. The current study will involve collecting both
qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative data which is also known as
secondary data collections will be collected through extensive literature
review and analysis of possible case studies that were conducted by different
researchers on this topic. The sources for qualitative data will include books,
journals, newspaper articles, findings of previous researches and different
electronic and print media publications on the relevant topic.
Similarly
the quantitative data known as primary data will be collected through survey
interview/questionnaire developed by the researcher.
3.3
Research Sample
The
research was focus on the public sector organizations of UAE to assess the
success and limitation of e-procurement in this sector. The organizations
selected for the research sample are
Aabar
Investments
Abu Dhabi Amiri
Flight
Abu Dhabi
Investment Council
3.4
Tools for data Collection
As
the research accounts for the collection of both primary and secondary data so
the secondary data will be collected through extensive literature review as
discuss above. For the collection of primary data a self-structured
“Questionnaire/Interview” will be developed by the researcher.
3.4.1 Questionnaire/Interview
A
self-structured and self- administrated questionnaire will be used for the
collection of primary data. The questionnaire will be developed keeping in mind
the objectives of the research. The main themes that will be developed in the
questionnaire will be:
·
Utilization Of e- Procurement: does the organization use e-
procurement systems and in which departments
·
Implementation of e- procurement
system: what steps
are taken to successfully implement e procurement system within the
organization
·
Acceptance of e- procurement within
the organization:
Does the management and employs accept the e-procurement system
·
Impact of E- procurement on the
success of organization: What
impact does it have with the critical success factors of the organizations
·
Barriers to implement successful e-
procurement : What
are the possible barriers and limitations to e-procurement within the
organization
·
How to improve e- procurement strategy
and implementation of system within their organization: Suggestions to improve the efficacy of
e-procurement within their organization
All
the above mentioned themes will be covered while developing the questionnaire.
3.5
Data Collection Procedure
Firstly
the researcher will seek permission from the related organizations. Then time
and date will be scheduled for the distribution of questionnaires. The
questionnaire will be distributed to the related management that will be
responsible for e- procurement implementation and administration in the sample
companies. The purpose of the research will be explained to them and data will
be collected. The researcher will collect the data and then interpret it
accordingly.
4. Data
Analysis and Interpretations
Data
analysis process involves the conduction of different methods and procedures in
order to process the data collected for the research. This is the follow up of
data collection procedure where the data is analyzed and interpret in a way
that meaningful results are yield. The researcher keeping in mind the research
goals and aims present his findings and ideas in understandable way for the
reader. The data analysis and interpretation process follows some principles so
that the process is more effective. These include:
·
Getting
an understanding of the research questions
·
Setting
up the analysis purpose
·
Having
in depth understanding of research questions
·
Originality
and accuracy of data
·
Selection
of appropriate data collection procedures
Meaningful interpretation and
identification of results and findings from the data.
Clearly demonstration
distribution of obtained facts and results.
The current research will include gathering both secondary and
primary information. The secondary information will be gathered through writing
audit and examination of contextual investigations. They will be broke down
through the procedure known as skimming and filtering of information. This
implies the researcher who will then isolate the helpful and wanted information
that is identified with the examination destinations to make results and
determinations from it. These procedures are applied on the crude data to
separate the related data and the data the analyst want to chip away at.
Regardless of whether the information is subjective or quantitative these
investigation systems ought to be connected to compress the scattered
information and give it an implying that is reasonable to the researcher and in
addition to the reader. These packing forms recognize the connections between
the data, bond and interface them in a symmetrical rhythm to make symphonically
stable conclusions. Information investigation mostly concentrates on
discovering the differentiations.
The
primary data of the research that will be in quantitative form will be analyzed
through statistical data analysis and results will be drawn from them. The
results will then be presented in the form of tables, graphs and distribution
tables. If the data requires in depth analysis, then the researcher intents to
apply SPPS, in which t-test will be applied on the data to check the
significance of different research variables.
4. Ethical Considerations
Ethical considerations are the primary
requirement for any research whether conducted by a student or a professional.
The ethics of research must be conducted and approved before carrying out any
research process. Different phases of research require the fulfilment of
different ethical consideration. These
include the most fundamental which is “ethics of planning and conducting the
research”. This means that either the research topic or the research design
should not mislead the readers. The results and facts revealed in the study
should be authentic based on real findings and are not deviating the readers
from the actual truth. Any insecurity, doubts or confusions must be addressed
before the conduction of actual research. Second consideration includes the
“ethics of responsibility” that is protecting the dignity of individual or
research institute. This principal
covers the facts that the dignity, welfare and reputation of the person or
institute from whom the data is collected should not be affected. The
researcher will be ethically responsible for any harm or damage that might
occur to the person or institute as the result of the research findings or
results. This damage can include physical, mental or psychological discomfort
resulting from the research processes or result. The researcher should take in
account all the consequences and try to avoid them before designing and
planning his research. The next most critical ethical consideration is the “permission”.
The consent of the participants and the institute from where the data has to be
collected should be taken in advance. It is legally and ethically inappropriate
to publish any personal or professional data of any individual or institute
without taking their permission. All permissions and consent should be taken in
written form and copy of these must be attached in the appendix to avoid any
unwanted circumstances. The ethics of “obliging
the state and federal law” is also important depending upon the nature of the
research. Sometimes the local government and state rules are violated while
conducting the research. The researcher should consider the fact while
designing the research that he eliminates those elements from his research that
violate or break any rules and regulations. This is a serious ethical
consideration because disrespecting state laws and rules could result in
serious trouble to the student as well as its institute.
Last
but the most significant ethical principal is the “False reporting and
Plagiarism”. To publish fake, false or copied data can straight lead to the
rejection of the study. It is strictly prohibited to copy the work of other
researchers and then present it as their own work. Ethical researchers never
attempt such mistakes. They are only allowed to add citations but have to
duplicate or write their findings in their own words. No matter the researcher
abide by all these ethical principles but his work will only accept when he
takes the institution approval. A fully developed proposal should be admitted
to the University for approval. All the research designs, requirements and
research sample should be clearly stated in the proposal. The researcher could
only start working on the research when the university approves its proposal.
If a researcher intends to conduct a moral and ethically corrected research
then he must abide by all these ethical principles. The current research will
is also being conducted keeping in mind all these principles and the researcher
tried his best to avoid any violation of these ethical principles
