Methodology Report: Training & Development Impact on Relations

This report outlines the research methodology used to investigate the effects of training and development on employee relations. It discusses the research philosophy, research approach (inductive), research design (descriptive), and research type (qualitative). The report justifies the selection of interpretivism philosophy and the inductive approach. It details data collection methods, sampling techniques, and data analysis techniques. The report also addresses the reliability and validity of data, research limitations, and ethical considerations, providing a comprehensive overview of the methodological framework employed in the study. Desklib is a valuable resource for students, offering access to past papers and solved assignments to aid in their studies.

Effects of Training and
Development on Employee
Relations
(DISSERTATION CHAPTER – METHODOLOGY)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...............................................................................................3
Introduction............................................................................................................................3
Research Philosophy..............................................................................................................3
Research Approach................................................................................................................4
Research Design.....................................................................................................................4
Research Type........................................................................................................................5
Time horizon..........................................................................................................................6
Research Strategy...................................................................................................................6
Methodical Choices................................................................................................................6
Data Collection Methods........................................................................................................7
Sampling................................................................................................................................7
Data analysis technique..........................................................................................................9
Reliability and Validity of Data...........................................................................................10
Research Limitations............................................................................................................10
Ethical Considerations.........................................................................................................11
Chapter summary.................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................13

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
Research methodology is one of the most important parts of the project as it helps in
identifying and evaluating the research techniques and design which can be adopted by the
researcher to carry out the project. This methodology provides the stricture to the researcher
regarding the way through which data can be collected easily in the firm. Through this
outline, it is advantageous for the scholar to effectively manage the study. Besides this, with
the help of research methodology the problem occurring in the study can be resolved by the
scholar easily. Further, this gives provides different types of choices to the scholar to choose
among the alternatives regarding the research type, design etc. further, it also provides
justification for adopting the methods. In this case, it is important to justify the techniques
which will be adopted further. Besides this, in the further par more detail regarding the
models and techniques are given to understand the concept effectively.
Research Philosophy
It can be defined as the way through which the data and the information are collected
as well as utilized to gain the appropriate result. For carrying out the study effectively, it is
required to analyze the research philosophy so that it can help in identifying which
philosophy can be useful in the study. The main advantage of using the philosophy is that it
aids in carrying out the study and it provides direction to the researcher in gaining appropriate
outcomes. There are basically two philosophies one is the interpretivism and the other one is
the positivism. In case of the positivism philosophy, it cannot be adopted in this study
because it states that reality is stable in nature and further, the result can be obtained by the
observing the research objectives (Olesen, 2011). Another reason as it could not be taken is
that it requires regular observation of data so that the accurate result can be gained from the
matter. For this study, the interpretivism philosophy can be adopted to analyze the effects of
training and development on the employee relations. In this, it helps in obtaining the
information about the discipline which can be effectively analyzed as well as evaluated by the
researcher (Samb and Daniel, 2011). Further, in case of interpretation of data, it is generally
based on the nature and behaviour of the people and according to it they obtain the data for
the research.

Research Approach
Research approach can be defined as the method which can help in conducting the
study regarding the effect of training and development on employee relations. Further, it
helps in effectively arriving at the conclusion. Further, the beneficial part of the research
approach is that it initiates the continuous improvement in the research so that effective
results can be achieved by the researcher (Guercini, 2014). Besides this, it does not distract
the researcher from the objectives which is made by the scholar. Due to this reason, the study
is conducted effectively which results in arriving at the conclusion. There are basically two
types of approaches one is the inductive and other is the deductive approach (Leontowitsc
ed., 2012). The deductive approach can be defined as the method in which the data is
gathered for the study. Further, it can be termed as the practice to gather the data according to
the research aims and objectives which are made by the scholar. In this approach, the method
starts from the particular to the generalization process and then it is applied in the study to
obtain the results.
Further, the main drawback of this approach is that it consumes lot of time because
new ideas and facts are gathered for carrying out the study. But according to the present
study, this approach is suitable as well as appropriate for arriving at the conclusion. On the
other hand, deductive approach is highly opposite to the inductive approach (Mackey and
Gass, 2015). In this case, the particular theory is considered on the specific issue to arrive at
the conclusion. It is opposite from the inductive approach because it starts from the
generalization and then it moves to the specific situation. So in this case it is opposite to it. In
this approach the hypothesis is carried out and the data is gathered according to the
hypothesis.
Research Design
It is also one of the significant aspects which are necessary in conducting the study. It
aids the scholar in understanding the data effectively and further with the help of this, it can
be applied in the research effectively. The main reason because of which the scholar adopts
the research design is that it reduces the probability of the inappropriate or the misleading
data which can turn the research into wrong direction (Silverman ed., 2016). Besides this, it
gives support to the researcher for determining the data which is collected a further aims is
carrying out the study appropriately. There are three types of research design which are
adopted by the researcher is conducting the further study. One is the exploratory research
design as this is use when the research of the study is not carried out previously. It is done on

the issues and the problems which are prevailing in the society. This focuses on exploring the
principles which are made by the experts on the particular problem.
Other is the experimental research design, in this; it requires two variables as it
justifies the cause and the effect relationship. It helps in determining the effect of one variable
on the other. So in this case, this design cannot be adopted in the study. The last is the
descriptive design which is suitable for the project (Geerts, 2011). In this design, deep
investigation is made on the topic so that huge knowledge regarding the issue can be
identified. Further, it is done with the help of the empirical methods which generally
includes, survey, taking interview etc.
Research Type
Research type can be termed as the nature of research which is carried out by the
scholar. It is important in the project because it has huge hand in decisions regarding
gathering the data, presenting the results etc. in this, there are two types of research design
one is the qualitative and the other one is the quantitative. In case of the quantitative data, it is
dependent on the variables and the numbers (Vujaklija and et.al., 2010). In this, the
researcher uses the statistical method by adopting the numerical data which has been
previously collected. In the statistical method, there are different types of methods used such
as correlation, regression, graphical tools etc. this is done to analyze the data effectively so
that most appropriate result can be gained from them. The main advantage of this type of
research is that it helps in reducing the probability of misinterpretation of data and the
researcher gets the exact result (Hussain, 2011). Besides this, the deviation in the research is
negligible because of the authentication of the data. The other is the qualitative method; this
method is based on the social concepts and the theories.
This method helps in gaining the deeper insight of the knowledge about the social
concepts. In this research, the data enquiry is made about the human experiences. This type
of research is conducted because there are different various aspects which cannot be counted
in the numerical form (Green, Camilli and Elmore, 2012). For example: value, belief etc are
included in this type of method. In this case, there are different types of methods which can
be used by the researcher. The methods are observation, survey, questionnaires etc. according
to this research, qualitative data is the most specific type which can be used in the project.
But the major drawback is that it cannot help in carrying out the specific research study
which can further hamper the conclusion which is derived from that.

Time horizon
It is considered as the time frame in which research is being carried out and outcomes
are gained in relation with the predetermined targets. In relation with investigation time
horizon is categorized into two. This is comprised of cross sectional as well as longitudinal.
Within cross sectional horizon of time, investigation is consideration with the aim to answer
the existing questions and resolve the issues at particular frame of time (Guercini, 2014). In
these tools, methods such as case study as well as survey are being used to a greater extent.
On the other hand longitudinal time frame is one in which while the investigation is carried
out and information is gathered for an extended duration of time so that suitable targets can
be meet in an effective manner. In this regard strategies such as action research, archival
research, grounded theory, experiment are being implemented to a greater extent (Crossman,
2014). Taking into account the nature of the present investigation cross sectional time horizon
is considered for the sake of determining the effects of training and development on
employee relations. In this regard method of survey has been taken into considered so that
questions can be answered in better manner.
Research Strategy
Research strategy is basically the tactics which are used by the scholar for carrying
out the study effectively. Through this method, the researcher can gain the desirable result.
The research strategies are mainly dependent on the aims of the project. According to the
aims and strategy only, the research strategy is chosen by the scholar (Williams, 2011). There
are different types of research strategy which are basically survey, case study, narrative
enquiry etc. further, for gathering the authentic and the relevant data, sometimes scholar
adopts two of the strategy as this helps in analyzing the data easily which aids in arriving at
the result effectively. But with the one strategy also the scholar can conduct the study. For
analyzing the effect of training and development on the employee relation questionnaire
method can be adopted as this will help in giving the relevant data (Leontowitsc ed., 2012).
This is helpful tool which will assist in gathering the authentic and the relevant information.
Methodical Choices
Apart from all these, methodical choices also have special preference in the project.
As there are different types of ways through which the study can be accomplished easily. The
types are mono method, mixed method and the multi method. The researcher has the choice
to obtain the method which can be suitable for their further study. In the mono method, the
scholar is required to use only one of the way as it could be qualitative or the quantitative. So

it becomes easy for them to effectively perform the study (Snyder, 2012). But in case of the
mixed method, two of the methods are used as in this both the set of information are adopted
to gain the accuracy in the result. On the other hand, one the scholar uses more than one type
of data gathering technique then it can be considered as the multi method. This is adopted by
those researchers who can get effective information regarding with both the techniques. As
with the help of the interview as well as questionnaire they can gather effective knowledge
regarding the study (Danping and Lee, 2011). But in the present study mono method will be
used which includes only type of technique to analyze the information. In this case,
qualitative method will be adopted by the researcher.
Data Collection Methods
Data collection method is one of the most interesting and the difficult task because it
is not easy for the researcher to judge the information that it is relevant or not. Besides this,
there are two types of ways through which the data can be collected by the researcher. One is
the primary data collection and the other is the secondary method (Vujaklija and et.al., 2010).
In case of the primary data, it can be collected in the qualitative as well as the
quantitative way. The methods through which the primary data can be collected are
questionnaire survey, interview etc. besides this, observations, face to face communication
also some of the other techniques which are effectively adopted by the scholar. As it is
considered as the first hand information so the data which is collected can be used effectively.
This will help in analyzing the effect on training and development on the employee relation.
Besides this, another type of data analysis method is the secondary research; in this
the thesis or the articles written by the scholar as well as researcher are adopted in reviewing
and gaining the ideas regarding the topic of the research (Green, Camilli and Elmore, 2012).
The main advantage of the secondary data collection is that it is not time consuming because
the scholar has to use only that data which is already written by the scholar. The types of
secondary data tools are journals, magazines, articles, books, periodicals etc. Further, in this
research, both the types of data collection methods will be adopted by the researcher to
conduct the study effectively (Snyder, 2012). Besides this, the major advantage of secondary
data is that the scholar can easily identify the past and the previous record of effect of training
and development on the employee relations.
Sampling
Sampling is regarded as the procedure that has important role within the investigation.
This is due to the reason that it assists in saving time through selecting desirable respondents

for collection of information. Through such approach investigator is able to narrow down the
entire universe into sample on which suitable practice of attainment of the information is
entailed. Along with this it is confining the emphasis upon the data collection area through
which greater amount data is accumulated in minimal efforts (Hogg, 2008). It also provides
several kinds of strategies that assist in minimizing the complexity when gathering the
information. On the other hand while making selection of specific set of sample there is
greater importance for the investigator to make selection of suitable one so that they can
attain range of information that possess features of the entire universe. It offers assistance in
improvising the whole data validity and boosts the efficiency of the outcomes gained through
it. Such is being done through the assistance of two methods that is probabilistic and non
probabilistic.
In case of probabilistic method of a sampling, methodology related with arbitrary
selection is being entailed for the sake of selecting sample for entire universe (Zikmund,
Babin, Carr, Griffin, 2013). Through practice of such each respondent within the population
has equal opportunity of getting chosen as sample for any particular investigation. For the
sake of making implementation of this methodology, initially whole universe is determined
through taking into account the aim of the present investigation that needs to be investigated.
Later desirable amount of sample size is assessed so that attainment of reliability can be
ensured from the data which is collected from the sample size set. Selection of sample size on
whole is dependent on the nature and scope of the topic associated with the investigation
(Hussain, 2011). Higher is the size of sample greater is the data reliability. In addition to this
it also reflects authentic investigation. Moreover decided respondents numbers are chosen
from the universe based upon various tools that includes simple random sampling, systematic
sampling as well as cluster sampling. This is for the sake of attaining desired amount of
information on which analysis is done and outcomes are being attained in an effective
manner.
On the other hand non probability method of sampling is another tool with which
selection of the sample for any research can be done. In this opportunity of getting selected
within the sample by the population is in manner that is haphazard. Thus few have likelihood
of choosing the sample whereas possess lower possibility (Kuada, 2012). But the choosing of
specific respondent depends on particular situations. Such is being done through the
assistance of convenient sampling, purposive sampling, quota sampling as well as snowball
sampling.

In the present investigation probability sampling has been considered for the sake of
making selection of sample. Under this simple random sampling is employed in which each
person has equal chance of getting chosen as sample for research. In the present thesis on
effect of training and development on employee relation the size of sample is 100. This
includes the employees from BPO industry. The firms that are being taken include Ovex
Technologies, SKY BPO, and The Resource Group (TRG).
Data analysis technique
Analysis of the data is regarded as one of the most important part of the investigation
as it researches and makes analysis of the information that is access from the sources such as
primary and secondary data collection. It act as an aid in analyzing the data gathered in
critical way for generating suitable outcomes. Based on such results the whole findings and
conclusion for the investigation are detailed. Such act as an aid in recommending the ways in
which employee relations can be enhanced. In the present investigation qualitative method of
analyzing the data is being utilized. Qualitative as well as quantitative analysis are regarded
as the two varied methods that are being used for the purpose of investigating the data that is
collected through primary and secondary source of collecting information.
Qualitative data is referred to as the tool with which inquiry is developed for the sake
of carrying out in-depth understanding regarding the reasons that is regulating the behavior.
The data gathered is demonstrated in the information and it depends on the tools of gathering
information by means of observation, information analysis and interview. In the present
thesis information is collected through survey and this is being assessed through thematic
technique related with qualitative tool (Kumar, 2010). By the means of thematic analysis the
outcomes are presented in professional way. The results of data are demonstrated in several
themes as well as patterns in graphical manner. Such themes include responses and views of
employees of BPO industry (Secondary Research – Advantages, 2014). Responses attained
through all the respondents are involved when data analysis is carried out through thematic
technique.
The particular information which is researched through the tool of qualitative analysis
is demonstrated in graphical form, pie chart and in tables. Such is effective in examining the
results of the information with effectiveness (Panneerselvam, 2004). Usage of the qualitative
tool within the investigation acts as an aid in examining the data that is accessed from the
respondents who works in BPO industry. In order to make the investigation authentic and for
data evaluation the technique of qualitative analysis is effective as it helps in recognizing the
effects of training and development on the employee relations.

Reliability and Validity of Data
Reliability
For the sake of attaining desirable outcomes against the aim of assessing the effect of
training and development on the employee relation huge attention is being paid in relation
with validity and data reliability. This offers greater assistance in achievement of suitable
outcomes in addition with determining the effectiveness of training and development to a
greater extent. For the purpose of gaining reliability of the information several efforts are put
in this relation. The collection of secondary information is done from sources that are
authentic and emphasis is on the publication that makes publication of such as this assist in
enhancing the data reliability to a greater extent. Further focus is on collecting data that is
associated with subject of training and development and its impact on employee relation. In
addition to this efforts are put in situation when primary data is gathered so as to validate the
outcomes which are obtained (Scandura and Williams, 2000). In this relation suitable tools
for collecting information are entailed in addition to execution of technique of sampling so
that suitable outcomes can be achieved.
Validity
Validity reflects the extent to which the data is logical and sound. In the present
dissertation validity of the data has been maintained by means of attaining authentic data
(Yin, 2003). Such is effective for the sake collecting the information in an effective manner.
This assists in attainment of the research objectives to a greater extent.
Research Limitations
There is presence of several factors that has affected the outcomes of the entire
investigation. In this relation the presentation thesis possesses the limitations that are
enumerated in the manner stated as below: Absence of past information: As in past the investigation is not being carried out upon
training within BPO industry and its impact on employee relation thus there was
absence of past data. This is regarded as the major barrier while carrying out the
research. Such has resulted in broadening the area under investigation which has
made the procedure more complex. Lengthy procedure: The aim of the present research has enhanced the frame of time
due to which the entire process becomes lengthy. In addition to this time is consumed
because of the methodology that is applied and which has made its lengthy (Scruggs
and Mastropieri, 2006). Collection of the primary and secondary information takes

greater time because of the reach. Moreover technique of survey has taken greater
time. Such is considered as the drawback in carrying out the investigation.
 Inadequacy of the secondary information: Further data collection is considered as the
complex task because of determination of effects of training and development on
employee relation. Such factor its essential constituent for limitation. Several kind of
efforts are being entailed by the investigator so that suitable knowledge can be
attained against the impact of training and development in enhancing relation among
the employees.
Ethical Considerations
In order to accomplish the investigation it is important that it needs to be
accomplished in ethical manner. Greater care is ensured when making analysis of the
information so that valid outcomes can be drawn from the research. All the findings are being
detailed without any biasness. In the present investigation ethical norms that are being taken
into account are enumerated in the manner as under: Permission: Prior to the survey and accessing the data through the respondents a form
of consent is attached with the questionnaire in addition to the self addressed stamp.
Such act as an aid in taking the permission of the respondents in an effective way. The
participants possess the right to refuse towards answering (Neergaard and Ulhoi,
2007). Debriefing: This is regarded as one of the most important ethical concern that relates
with informing all the respondents regarding the nature and purpose due to which the
investigation is being carried out. The respondents of the investigation that is
employees are being informed regarding the details and their view points are taken for
necessary accomplishment of the investigation with greater effectiveness.
 Privacy and confidentiality: This is considered as the key of ethical consideration. As
in the present thesis information is gathered through questionnaire thus it is significant
that confidentiality of the information collected is maintained. This is for the sake of
building trust among the employees (Sam and Daniel, 2011). This is for the sake of
making them sure that the information provided by them is not shared to third part
and it is kept private.
Chapter summary
This section of the investigation is considered critical for the researcher as it provides
greater knowledge to the researcher in relation to the tools which are considered for research
methodology. The particular section laid emphasis on the varied methods under research that

can be utilized in the investigation so as to assess the impact of training and development on
employee relation. The whole section is on the basis of model given by Saunders that is
“Saunder’s Research Onion Model”. Based upon the model in the current study philosophy,
strategies, techniques, approaches and process are being chosen. Taking into account the
nature of the present investigation interpretivism philosophy has been employed. Along with
this the approach that is selected is inductive. For the present investigation the collection of
the information is carried by means of both primary and secondary sources. Through this data
can be collected for the purpose of analysis so that suitable results can be attained in an
effective manner.