Research design can be defined as the rationale that works with planning of a research study, which directs the researcher on how the study can be conducted. It demonstrates how the
36 different aspects of the study come together in order to address the research questions. Babbie and Mouton (2006, p74) state that the research design serves to "plan, structure and execute"
the research to maximise the "validity of the findings".
3.6.1 Development of the research data instruments 3.6.1.1 Questionnaire development
Johnson and Christensen (2012, p162) define a questionnaire as “a self-report data-collection instrument that each research participant fills out as part of a research study”. Questionnaires are used in research to obtain information about the research participant’s perceptions, which include their feelings, beliefs and values, attitudes, behaviour and even their personality. The method of collecting data via questionnaires is widely known and utilised. Advantages of using this method listed by Kumar (2011) are as follows:
• Reachability of wider scale of participants
• Cost effectiveness
• Timeliness of responses
• Due to large sample size, results can be more reliable and dependable
• Minimal bias
• Added anonymity and confidentiality
The questionnaire for this study was constructed with closed-ended items with the focus of providing a common stimulus to each participant in the study (Dillman, 2007). The questionnaire items were constructed to ensure that they aligned to the research questions of the study. The following points were taken into consideration when constructing the questionnaire:
• Ease of use
• Avoided using leading questions that could add bias the participants response to the question
• Likert-scaling was used for added validity and reliability
• Respondents could not skip any questions
• Close-ended questions were used to produce standard set of responses, thus enabling easier data analysis to be conducted
37 The questionnaire comprised of two sections. Section A consisted of seven questions that dealt with the demographics of the respondents. Section B, questions (8-16), were aligned to the research questions and objectives of the study and also focused on the theoretical framework employed in the study. The framework was the Schein (1985) Organisation Culture framework.
38 3.6.1.2 Research Mapping - Research questions, instrument and Theoretical Framework
Figure 3.1 Diagrammatic view of Research Mapping
Research Questions
What influence can flexible working hours have on performance and productivity among female employees at UKZN?
How can flexible working hours influence employee motivation among female employees at UKZN?
What impact can flexible working hours have on the personal lives of female employees at UKZN?
What are factors that should be taken into account to promote more flexible working hours for women at UKZN?
How does current working hours’ impact on female employees at UKZN?
To determine the impact of flexible working hours on performance, motivation and personal life among female employees at the University of
KwaZulu-Natal
Questionnaire
Results
Schein Organisational Culture Theory
Artifacts Espoused Values Basic Underlying Assumptions
Employee performance, motivation commitment and satisfaction, organisational effectiveness
39 3.6.2 Data Validation and Pre-testing
In order for research data to be significant and worthwhile to use, it needs to be valid and reliable. Welman, Kruger and Mitchell, (2005) define validity as the degree in which a test or other instrument is genuinely measuring what we expected it to measure. There are two main types of validity, that being internal and external. Internal validity alludes to the legitimacy of the estimation and test itself, while external validity alludes to view the findings to the target population (Welman, et al., 2005). Both are imperative for a research study to be useful and meaningful. The measurement technique used in this study was primarily internal validity.
Reliability can be defined as to the degree to which measures are error free that creates consistency between measurements of a variable (Hair et al., 2010). Reliability is the ability of an instrument to produce the same results repeatedly. The constructs that are measured must be consistent over a period of time, therefore producing scores that are consistent when measured over time (Price, Jhangiani and Chiang, 2013).
Likert scaling was used as a primary reliability and validity measure. This was seen as the ideal method when it came to the use of multiple items designed to measure each questionnaire variable/construct. In Likert scaling, each item is rated by the respondent using either a 4, 5, or 7-point rating scale. The advantage of a multiple rating scale is that it provides more reliable and consistent scores, which assists the researcher to make more refined differences among the respondents (Johnson and Christensen, 2012). Table 3.1 shows an example of a Likert scale.
Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree nor disagree Agree Strongly Agree Table 3.1: Example of Likert Scale
Likert scales are significant as they enable researchers to evaluate and examine information that can be hard to quantify. There are different types of coding scales that can be utilised and are dependent on what is being measured (Sullivan and Artino, 2013). The design of the questionnaire was also influenced by one of the most extensively utilised organisational culture frameworks, that of Schein (1985). In this framework, Schein (1985) emphasises that when differences arise between employees’ expectations and the prevailing culture, cultural change should take place. The beliefs and the values of the employees should be taken into
40 consideration. The questions posed in the study makes reference to the three levels described by Schein (1985), namely, artifacts, espoused values and basic underlying assumptions. The instrument was built around the constructs of employee performance, satisfaction, motivation and personal life.
3.6.3 Administration of the Questionnaire
The global online platform known as Google Forms was used as the electronic platform for the questionnaire distribution. Google Forms is a powerful online survey/questionnaire design tool available via Google® online applications which is free of charge (provided one has a Google account). It is easy to use and one of the simplest ways to save data directly to a spreadsheet.
Google Forms can be administered via email and social networks. The link to the questionnaire can be placed on almost any electronic platform. Reports generated can be in various forms such as real time summary, participant statistics and open-ended text.
The questionnaire for this study was hence loaded onto Google Forms and a shortened link was provided on the University Notice system. The survey was first administered on the 26th of October 2016. The final Notice informing the UKZN community about the study was posted on 15 November 2016. The researcher closed responses on the 18th of November 2016 and 125 responses were received by this time. The responses were coded to an excel spreadsheet for analysis to commence thereafter.