Research Methods Analysis: BUACC5931 Assignment 1 - Job Insecurity

This assignment analyzes a research study investigating the associations between quantitative and qualitative job insecurity, job satisfaction, and psychological distress in the Belgian banking sector. The solution begins by defining sample size and its importance, highlighting the random sampling method used. It then details the study's sampling method, identifying its advantages (lack of bias and simplicity) and disadvantages (access to population lists, time consumption, and potential for bias). The assignment further examines the variables used, including Cronbach's alpha for measuring reliability and consistency. It also discusses the role of demographics in data collection, explaining their significance in representing the sample and generalizing the study's results. Finally, the assignment identifies the primary quantitative method used, outlining its advantages (focus, data interpretation, recency) and disadvantages.

Running head: RESEARCH METHODS
RESEARCH METHODS
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
Answer to Question 1......................................................................................................................2
Answer to Question 2......................................................................................................................3
Answer to Question 3......................................................................................................................4
Answer to Question 4......................................................................................................................5
Answer to Question 5......................................................................................................................6
References........................................................................................................................................8

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Answer to Question 1
The sample size can be adequately defined as the number of completed responses which
are required to complete the survey and to analyse adequately. In association with this, it can be
effectively stated that it is known as a sample because it assists in representing a considerate part
of the people or the total population size (Bell, Bryman & Harley, 2018). One of the most
popular ways of carrying out a survey can be stated to be by using random sampling whereby the
employees are taken by chance from a large population at random. In consideration with this, it
is effective to note that, the given research work also undertook a random analysis whereby
15000 random employees irrespective of any associated parameters were selected from the study
and their viewpoints were made use of in order to examine the results. The sample size is subject
to the population size, the margin of error which is usually accepted by the researcher and the
confidence level of the study. In this study, the population size was a total of 69000 employees
who belonged to the banking sector in Belgium. Additionally, all studies are expected to not
incur in a margin of error more than 0.50 and that has been assumed to be undertaken.
Moreover, the sampling confidence can be mentioned to be the percentage of confidence
with which the study is proceeded with. In association with this, the 95% confidence level is
taken at a minimum level.

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Hence, as per the formula, the ideal sample size which should have been undertaken by
the study can be mentioned to be 24677. However, this sample size was not undertaken by the
researcher and instead, only 15000 was taken to be the sample size of the study which can be
considered to be a limitation and may not represent the overall accuracy of the result. At least
45% of the sample size had to be selected to make the results rather accurate and exact.
Answer to Question 2
The sampling method which has been adopted for the study can be adequately mentioned
to be the Simple random probability method. The simple random probability method of sampling
can be understood to be a method which is adequately made use of by the author in order to
select the sample size on a random basis without relying on the characteristics of the
population(Quinlan et al., 2017). Additionally, in this type of a sampling method, a subset of a
larger group of population is selected and the study is relevantly undertaken to determine the
manner in which the response can be gained from the group. This aspect is often considered to
be a rather comprehensive format where there does not take place any biasness. There are
distinct disadvantages of this method as well. The given section will undertake the discussion of
the advantages as well as the disadvantages of the method to understand the manner in which the
research has contributed to a successful research result. The associated advantages of the
Sampling size can be mentioned to be as follows:
The Simple random probability method lacks any biasness. In this context, it can be
mentioned that, as the study method of this kind lacks biasness, it becomes effective to
understand that a balanced approach towards the study has to be undertaken. Another advantage
of this method is that it denotes adequate simplicity (Walliman, 2017). This simply means that,
the simple random probability method is less complicated than the other methods and this can be
understood to be one of the key reasons why this method is adopted by the researchers for the
purpose of the analysis. However, the method has certain disadvantages as well which can be
outlined as follows:

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The sampling method may find it difficult to access lists of the entire population. From
this it can be understood that, obtaining the list of an entire population is not an easy task and in
consideration with this, it is effective to state that, in the sampling method, the study can be
carried out effectively but in certain instances acknowledging the whole data set is difficult. It
requires added costs, time and biasness which can make the procedure rather uncertain in nature.
Another disadvantage of the simple random probability method is that it is rather time
consuming in nature. It can be effectively mentioned that, as a larger audience is being catered
to, it is effective to state that, the time consuming aspect has to be considered effectively because
it permits the effective completion of the project in a timely manner (Lindlof & Taylor, 2017).
Additionally, the associated costs which are required in this procedure which will thereby
increase the investment in the project which an author may not be necessarily willing to
undertake. Lastly, this method of research may also lead to a sample selection bias whereby the
sample set of a large population may not be inclusive enough and may lead to biasness in the
data.
Answer to Question 3
In order to carry out the analysis in a comprehensive manner, adequate variables have to
be undertaken so as to ensure that adequate analysis can be carried out in an effective manner. In
consideration with this, it can be mentioned critical that the Quantitative job security was
undertaken and measured with four items on a scale from 1 to 4 which range from strongly
disagree to strongly agree. Some of the negative connotations were reversed accordingly. In line
with this, the Cronbach`s alpha was measured to be 0.89 which depicted that the data is rather
valid and consistent in nature.
The qualitative job insecurity was measured by taking ten items and had dimensions such
as the job content, working conditions, employment conditions and associated respondents and
related aspects. The Cronbach alpha was measured as 0.87. Moreover, the aspects such as the
psychological distress and its questions were also measured 0.89 and lastly various control
variables were made use of to understand the responses in an adequate manner.

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Hence, in the given study, the author has made the use of the Cronbach`s alpha to make
use of a measure which can be adequately assessed to test the reliability, internal consistency and
the scale of the associated test items. In other words it can be adequately mentioned that the
reliability through this tool can be measured accordingly and as a tool, the Cronbach`s alpha
ensures that the strength and associated consistency can be measured accordingly. The scoring of
the Cronbach`s alpha is generally computed using scores for each scale items. A Cronbach score
of 0.7 and above represents an acceptable measure and states that, the different measures used
for the analysis are rather accurate in nature. When the Cronbach Alpha score has to be
interpreted then in such a scenario, it is effective to state that, a high alpha and a good coefficient
of correlation are useful. Hence, the measurement and validity of the variableness can be
mentioned to be reliable in nature and may give accurate results.
Answer to Question 4
The demographics can be mentioned to be the aspects of the data collection procedure
which pertain to the items such as the Gender, age and the relevant educational level as well. In
the given research analysis, the means of demographics and the work related factors are the
Gender, Age group, Education, Extra income incurred, Occupational position and associated
results which assist in understanding the manner in which, the research demographics are divided
accordingly. The reason why collecting the demographic information is considered to be
effective and essential because it provides the data regarding the participants who have engaged
in the research. In association with this, the reason why this data is considered to be relevant is
because, it helps in the determination of the fact whether the individuals in a particular study are
the presentative sample of the population and this information assists in generalising the results
of the study in an adequate manner.
Additionally, the demographics or the research participant’s characteristics are also used
for the reporting and help in activing as the independent variables in research designs. The
reason why they can be considered to be effective independent variables is because they are not
biased and cannot be manipulated easily (Lindlof & Taylor, 2017). Moreover, very often the
demographic data is collected by the researchers because it helps in Cross tab analysis and
differentiating the results amongst the different age groups and genders. In certain cases, it may

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be imperative to understand that the collection of demographic data is essential as it assists in
understanding that is filling the survey. It helps the readers to gain an understanding of what kind
of target audience is filling the survey and whether the results are relevant for the target audience
or not. The knowledge about the distribution of the demographic characteristics of the
respondents shall also assist in determining the manner in which the sample replicates the
associated population.
Moreover, another key advantage is that in case the sample size is not sufficient, it will help in
differentiating between the associated sub groups and may provide adequate guidelines which
may be missed by the researcher if the aggregate data is considered. Hence, the aggregate data
may hide facts which may not reflect true results.
Hence, these are a few reasons why the collection and representation of the social
demographics is essential for the research.
Answer to Question 5
The research to figure out the aspects associated with job satisfaction and the job content
has undertaken the Primary Quantitative method of research as its ideal method of the study
(Hair, 2015). The primary quantitative method of research can be described to be a research
strategy whereby, the data is collected by making use of the primary data collection method and
is assessed by making use of the quantitative data analysis method. In consistency with this, it
can be adequately stated that, by using this research method the author has aimed to outline the
associated factors which influence the concept of understanding. Hence, the primary quantitative
is a common approach undertaken by various studies and the advantages as well as the
disadvantages of the associated methods can be agreed to be as follows:
Advantages
Firstly the primary quantitative research strategy can be agreed to be rather focused
whereby the targeted issues are addressed in an adequate manner. In association of this, it can be
agreed to it that, the author has a complete approach over the data and in association with this,
the time and efforts associated with the research can be focused on finding the specific market
and concentration as well (Ghauri, Grønhaug & Strange, 2020).

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Secondly, the data interpretation procedure can also be made accordingly. It can be
agreed to it that when using the primary quantitative research method, the researcher will
adequately be able to undertake a better take at the analysis and associated methods in an
adequate manner.
The recency of the data can also be agreed to be an aspect which is an advantage of the
primary quantitative research strategy. It can be adequately agreed to it that, when the primary
quantitative method allows the researcher to make use of recent data. The secondary data method
used may not be so recent and in considered to be effective that, the research can omit irrelevant
information in this seeming and be able to adequately utilise the tools.
Additionally, the third proprietary issue which may be faced by the researcher can be
stated to be avoided during the primary research. In association with this, it can be adequately
mentioned that, as there will not take place any proprietary issue the result outcomes may be
taken to be quite relevant in nature (Bryman, 2016). The quantitative data is advantageous as it
assists in ensuring that the findings can be presented in an accurate manner and the research
outcomes can be attained accurately.
Disadvantages
For the purpose of the research, there are considerate disadvantages which might be faced
by the researcher can be mentioned to be as follows:
This kind of a primary quantitative research strategy may require high costs. This means
that collecting the primary research is not an easy method and generally tends to involve high
costs and thereby impacts the overall budget of the researcher. The procedure can be stated to be
quite time-consuming as well. This is because the sampling process is not simple and requires
time and resources (Coolican, 2017). Additionally, the data collected during this procedure
might not be accurate in nature and there may be a certain level of biasness involved while
taking feedback and catering to the needs of the consumers. Hence, all aspects have to be
considered by the researcher.

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References
Bell, E., Bryman, A., & Harley, B. (2018). Business research methods. Oxford university press.
Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods. Oxford university press.
Coolican, H. (2017). Research methods and statistics in psychology. Psychology Press.
Ghauri, P., Grønhaug, K., & Strange, R. (2020). Research methods in business studies.
Cambridge University Press.
Hair, J. F. (2015). Essentials of business research methods. ME Sharpe.
Lindlof, T. R., & Taylor, B. C. (2017). Qualitative communication research methods. Sage
publications.
Quinlan, C., Babin, B., Carr, J., & Griffin, M. (2019). Business research methods. South Western
Cengage.
Walliman, N. (2017). Research methods: The basics. Routledge.