NDIS Service Delivery Gap Analysis

This assignment delves into identifying potential service delivery gaps within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) using a qualitative research approach. It involves conducting in-depth interviews with both management and frontline workers of the NDIS to gather their insights and experiences. The collected data will be analyzed to pinpoint areas where the current service delivery plan may fall short, highlighting potential improvements for enhancing the effectiveness and accessibility of NDIS services.

Running head: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Methodology
Name of the student
University name
Author’s note

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Table of Contents
Research methodology.................................................................................................................2
Introduction..................................................................................................................................2
Research outline...........................................................................................................................2
Research Onion............................................................................................................................3
Research paradigm:......................................................................................................................3
Philosophy of the research...........................................................................................................3
Justification of the research philosophy..........................................................................................4
Research approach.......................................................................................................................4
Justification of the chosen research approach.................................................................................5
Design of the research..................................................................................................................5
Justification of the chosen research design......................................................................................5
Sampling method.........................................................................................................................5
Research strategy.........................................................................................................................6
Justification of the chosen research strategy...................................................................................6
Data collection methods...............................................................................................................7
Ethical considerations......................................................................................................................7
Data analysis................................................................................................................................7
Time table....................................................................................................................................8
Limitations of the research...........................................................................................................9

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References..................................................................................................................................10

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Research methodology
Introduction
The current section describes the methodology adopted for the research findings and
analysis. The methodology or the type of research strategy or design selected over here has been
elaborated further to answer some of the questions raised in the previous chapter. The chapter
consists of the following sections such as outline of the research, research onion, research
philosophy , approach, design of the research, sampling method, strategy adopted for the
research, data collection methods, analysis of the data, limitations of the research.
Research outline
The research outline provides a framework based upon which the study will be conducted
by the researcher to gather sufficient results and data. For the current research qualitative
research approach will be used along with an inductive procedure. The researcher will conduct
the research based upon interpretivism research philosophy. During the process of conducting
the interview, the ethics, reliability and validity issues will be taken into consideration

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Research Onion
Figure 1: research onion
(Source: saunders et al., 2009, p.52)
Research paradigm:
Philosophy of the research
The issue highlighted by the research is analysed based upon a number of research
philosophies such as positivism, interpretivism and realism. The philosophy of realism is based
upon the independence of reality emerging out of the human mind. As commented by Taylor,
Duncan & Fiske (2015), the autonomous thought and beliefs possessed by the people can be
influenced by their perceptions about the world in general. The positivism philosophy claims that
only factual knowledge gained through observation and further evaluation is trustworthy
(O’Gorman, Lochrie & Watson, 2014). The philosophy of interpretivism states that access to

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reality is only through social processes such as language, consciousness, shared meanings and
obstructions.
Justification of the research philosophy
For the current study interpretive research philosophy will be used by the researcher
which is based upon the naturalistic approach of data collection such as interviews and surveys.
In the present context the researcher for the process of data collection, will be selecting semi-
structured interviews. The adoption of interpretivism research philosophy helps in the analysis of
qualitative research areas such as organizational cross cultural differences, factors and ethics
affecting leadership. Interpretivism is attached with high level of validity as the data collected
through such studies tend to be trustworthy (Creswell, 2013). The interpretivism theory helps in
analysing the differences between the rural and urban scenario with respect to the delivery of
services to the disabled population within the northern territory of Australia.
Research approach
There are two different research approach types such as inductive and deductive. The
deductive approach is applied in case of evaluation of a large number of case studies or
dissertations. As commented by Marshall & Rossman (2014), the application of a deductive
approach helps the researcher to develop hypothesis based upon the literature. On the other hand
the inductive approach aims at the development of new theories relevant to the topic of the
research.

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Justification of the chosen research approach
The researcher in the current study will evaluate the observations for the development of
new theories. For the current literature, the researcher will apply an inductive approach in
evaluating similar patterns observed throughout the case study and factors affecting the insurance
availability to the disabled person in the NT region of Australia. This hypothesis could be
amalgamated to build a hypothesis, which could further help in reflecting upon the various
political or social determinants.
Design of the research
There are two main forms of research design such as explanatory, exploratory, and
descriptive. The exploratory research design is to evaluate an open-ended questionnaire. In
exploratory design the physiological aspects are taken into consideration. In explanatory
methods, the researcher explains the data without elaborating about the positive and negative
outcomes (Bowling, 2014). The descriptive design is useful in evaluating a set of research
objectives and questions.
Justification of the chosen research design
For the current study an exploratory design had been taken into consideration which
helps in expanding upon the theories and evidences collected through the research. It is a non-
quantitative and flexible in nature and is mot limited by pre-determined set of procedures.
Sampling method
There are sampling methods of two different types such as simple random probability
sampling and non-random probability sampling. The random probability sampling provides

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every respondent equal opportunity to participate in the research (Punch, 2013). In the case of
non-random sampling purposive selection is done based upon the type of data. In the current
study random probability sampling will be used by the researcher so that every respondent will
have equal opportunity for participation in the data collection process.
Research strategy
The strategy of the research refers to the specific method of data collection chosen over
here such as surveys, interviews or case study analysis. The surveys represent the quantitative
method of data collection where the respondents are put forward close-ended questionnaire and
the cumulative responses will be represented with the help of statistical graphs and charts. The
interview methods are based upon analysis of responses to open ended questionnaire (Palinkas et
al., 2014). On the other hand the case study analysis is based upon reviewing a large number of
databases and literature.
Justification of the chosen research strategy
In the current study the researcher will choose interview method for collection of data
regarding the different challenges faced by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in
extending help to the poor, backward and indigenous population residing in the NT region of
Australia. In this respect, a semi-structured and open ended questionnaire was provided to the
respondents. This allowed them to further expand upon the current problem situation faced by
them and further helps in identification of the major loopholes within the service delivery.

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Data collection methods
The data collection could be divided into primary and secondary methods. The primary
data collection had been again divided into quantitative and qualitative methods. The
Quantitative method is based upon collection of data through survey questionnaire whereas the
qualitative method is dependent on collection of data through interview (Green& Thorogood,
2013). The secondary method is however based upon review of literature and case studies for
gathering sufficient knowledge.
In the current study for the collection and analysis of the data, primary qualitative
research design will be used by the researcher. The face to face interview will also provide
sufficient opportunity to the researcher with study the facial expressions of the interviewee.
Ethical considerations
The researcher will have to take care of a number of ethical considerations during the
process of conducting the interview. Some of these considerations are acquiring participation
consent from the participants and NDIS. Additionally, privacy and confidentiality of the
participants would also need to be supported by the researcher. In this respect the researcher will
also need to take consent from the human research ethics committee.
Data analysis
For the purpose of data analysis interview had been conducted where the management of
NDIS and frontline workers at the grassroot level were asked questions pertaining to the different
aspects of reaching out to far and wide disabled population within the northern territory of

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Australia. The similar responses were made into transcripts by the researchers which were
further grouped into similar dissimilar categories.
Time table
Stages of
activities
Week 1 Week 2
to 5
Week 6
to 9
Week
10 to 13
Week
14 to
17
Week
18 to
21
Week
22 to
24
Topic
selection

Data
collection

Planning
Layout of the
paper
 
Review of the
literature

Developing
research plan

Selection of
research
technique
  
Secondary
data
collection
 
Analysis of
the data
 
Interpretatio
n of findings

Conclusion
preparation

Project rough
draft

Final
submission

Table 1: Gantt chart
(Source: author)

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Limitations of the research
The research will be conducted with the help of a detailed research methodology where
emphasis had been placed upon primary qualitative research. In this context, open ended
interview questions were drafted for the management and grassroot level workers of the NDIS.
The collective responses were grouped together into transcripts which were further evaluated for
the presence of gaps or loopholes within the service delivery plan. Though there are a number of
benefits of conducting interview with the help of an open ended questionnaire. There are a
number of restrictions or challenges which are faced in the due course of arranging or conducting
the interview. Some of these are lack of time which becomes a major constraint on the part of the
researcher as well as the participants. The lack of sufficient evidences can also hamper the
affectivity of the study conducted (Taylor, Bogdan & DeVault, 2015). In order to organize the
interview proper consent had to be taken from the participants along with maintaining the
privacy of some of their credentials such as name, position within the company. Thus, any
violation with respect to confidentiality can affect the success of the project.

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References
Bowling, A. (2014). Research methods in health: investigating health and health services.
London: McGraw-Hill Education, p.35.
Creswell, J. W. (2013). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods
approaches. London: Sage publications, p.20.
Duncan, S., & Fiske, D. W. (2015). Face-to-face interaction: Research, methods, and theory
(Vol. 3). Abingdon: Routledge, pp.125-263.
Green, J., & Thorogood, N. (2013). Qualitative methods for health research. London:Sage,
p.58..
Marshall, C., & Rossman, G. B. (2014). Designing qualitative research. London:Sage
publications, p.15.
O’Gorman, K., Lochrie, S., & Watson, A. (2014). Research philosophy and case studies.
Research Methods for Business & Management, 152-172.
O’Gorman, K., Lochrie, S., & Watson, K. (2016). Qualitative research in nursing and
healthcare. New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, p.22.
Palinkas, L. A., Horwitz, S. M., Green, C. A., Wisdom, J. P., Duan, N., & Hoagwood, K. (2015).
Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis in mixed method
implementation research. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health
Services Research, 42(5), 533-544.
Punch, K. F. (2013). Introduction to social research: Quantitative and qualitative approaches.
London: Sage, p.47.

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Saunders, J. H., Onion, D., Collier, P., Dorrington, M. S., Argent, R. H., Clarke, P. A., ... &
Grabowska, A. M. (2017). Individual patient oesophageal cancer 3D models for tailored
treatment. Oncotarget, 8(15), p.52.
Taylor, S. J., Bogdan, R., & DeVault, M. (2015). Introduction to qualitative research methods: A
guidebook and resource. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, p.25.