Research Methodology

Running head: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Methodology
Name of the Student
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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
1.0 Introduction
The research methodology refers to the methodical process of gathering necessary
information and data from a wide range of reliable sources. The main rationale of the
research methodology is evaluating the collected information utilizing several
methodological tools and completing the research work. This specific research study has
provided a detailed analysis on the effects and influences of job satisfaction and employee
commitment in Asda Superstore Ltd. Southgate branch. The primary objective of this study is
to determine the factors that are responsible for encouraging the job satisfaction in the
organization and to examine whether motivation is a factor that leads to employee
commitment. In order to shed light on this topic, several methodological tools have been used
and collected data has been analyzed.
1.1Research Philosophy (Ontology/Epistemology)
As stated by Flick (2015), the research philosophy tends to present the dimension of
the specific research study. It is also helpful for providing the fundamental knowledge, facts
and concepts in order to conduct the study in a well-organized manner. It has been argued
that there are two kinds of research philosophy, ontology and epistemology. Ontology refers
to the basic nature of reality. Therefore ontological position has no specific wrong or right
answers to a question as different individuals can view a particular topic from different
viewpoint on the basis of their values, role or background. On the other hand, epistemology
deals with the acceptable information and knowledge and its interpretation. Ontology defines
the nature of any societal entity as two kinds: positivism and interpretivism (Kuada, J., 2013).
The positivism research philosophy refers to the methodological procedure that helps
analyzing the gathered information through keen observation, and interpretivism research
paradigm allows interpreting the gathered data from different perspectives.

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In this study, the positivism research paradigm has been chosen for some specific
reasons. This philosophy is mostly based on a keen observation. As believed by theorists, this
observation may be repeatable but the phenomenon tends to be isolated. Therefore following
this philosophy, a detailed observation can be made even before colleting the necessary
information and find the sole reality of truth (Neuman and Robson 2014). Along with that
this philosophy is not much time consuming like the interpretivism research philosophy. As
the latter one is entirely dependent on individual interpretation, adequate time should be
contributed for this purpose. Along with that it is also undeniable that the positivism research
philosophy has been successful for acquiring genuine information and data through the
course of time. Therefore, positivism research philosophy has been used for accomplishing
the research study.
1.2 Research Design
The research design refers to arranging the whole research study by following a
specific methodological tool. The research design includes three major kinds: exploratory
research design, descriptive research design and explanatory research design. Exploratory
research design refers to the method of exploring the issue of research and recognizes its
problems from different perspectives (Panneerselvam 2014). The descriptive research resign
is mostly based on the case study analysis where with the help of case study associated with
the same issue, the information is evaluated by defining the facts. On the other hand,
explanatory research design is capable of explaining the issue of research from both the
positive and negative aspects.
For this particular study, the researcher has used the descriptive research design. In
this study a thorough analysis of the effects and influences of job satisfaction and employee
commitment in Asda Superstore Ltd. Southgate branch has been provided. Therefore, for this

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purpose, descriptive research design has been helpful to evaluate the facts and information
from different perspectives. At the same time, this research design has not been much time
consuming as well.
1.3 Research Approach
The research approach focuses on analyzing the gathered information and defining the
research objectives from various perspectives. Two major kinds of research approach are:
inductive research approach and deductive research approach. The main purpose of the
inductive research approach is testing hypothesis so that the gathered information can be
measured in a perfect way (Lewis 2015). As a result to that, an effectual risk analysis should
be done so that it can be understood that this specific hypothesis in beneficial for this
particular research issue. On the other hand, the deductive research approach focuses on
analysing the collected information and data on the basis of the existing theories on the
research issue.
This study has been completed focusing on the deductive research approach. This
approach has been sufficiently successful in completing the whole research study with
adequate help of the existing theories. This study has utilized different approaches regarding
the effects and influences of job satisfaction and employee commitment. The case study of
Asda Superstore Ltd. Southgate branch has been used for justifying these theories as well. On
the other hand, if inductive research approach is being used, an effective risk analysis has to
be made as this approach does not believe in previous theories (Pierre 2013). There is also a
possibility that the new theory may not be applicable or relevant for the present issue of
research. This situation may also lead to a disorganized piece of work as the study may lose
its usual flow. On the other hand, if the deductive research approach is chosen, it is not much
cost worthy; therefore affording necessary money for the research purpose is not much