Reward Systems

CHAPTER 3 Reward systems

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1. INTRODUCTION

The aim of this chapter is to explain, justify and account for the research methodology that has been selected in this study. In conducting the investigation, the researcher intends to proceed from a quantitative-descriptive design. A number of issues related to the research methodology will be extensively discussed below.

3.2. METHODICAL ACCOUNT (RESEARCH: QUANTITATIVE-DESCRIPTIVE)

Thyer as cited by De Vos and Fouchй (1998: 77), defines a research design as a "blueprint or detailed plan for how a research study is to be conducted - operationalizing variables so they can be measured, selecting a sample of interest to study; collecting data to be used as a basis for testing hypotheses, and analyzing the results." Hussey and Hussey (1997: 54), also point out that research methodology refers to the overall approach evident in the research process from the theoretical foundation to the strategies that are used in the collection and analysis of the data. So research methodology can be said to indicate the answers to questions as to how research should be designed, structured, approached and executed.

In this study, the researcher has opted to conduct his investigation through the quantitative-descriptive paradigm. A randomised cross-sectional survey design will be used to investigate attitudes of employees with regard to reward systems. According to De Vos and Fouchй (1998: 127), the randomized cross-sectional design is written as follows:

R O1

Where, R = randomized selected subjects

O1 = administration of the questionnaire

It is through the relevant and appropriate quantitative research paradigm that the researcher hopes to conduct a controlled, purposive, accurate, systematic, and scientific research on the impact of reward systems on employee attitudes. The researcher also hopes that the quantitative research approach would enable him to arrive at findings that would have greater validity and less artificiality as a process of measuring the impact of rewards on employee attitudes.

3.3. RESEARCH METHOD

The term "method" is derived from the Greek word "meta" plus "thodos" which literally refer to "the path along which, or the road by which a set destination is pursued." In other words, it means the way by which researchers carry out the investigation and eventually discover the truth, which truth they use to establish science ( Du Plooy, Griesel and Oberholzer, 1993:211). On the other hand, Mancosa (2003:15) maintains that methods refer to the specific means by which data is collected and analysed. In this context, the method identified herein after below will be used throughout the investigation.

3.4. RANDOMIZED CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY

Sasko Bakery has 14 branches in the Limpopo Province with a provincial head office situated in Polokwane. It is assumed that one type of reward system is employed among all the branches of Sasko Bakery. As the branches are scattered all over the province, the researcher has decided to select only four branches for the study. The branches selected lie at a proximity of about 100km from the headquarters in Polokwane. Twenty respondents will be randomly selected from each branch, to arrive at a sample of 80. To avoid selection of employees from a particular level, the researcher will employ stratified sampling.

The researcher will also use an interview method as a way of collecting data. This will be regarded as a secondary data collection method, in order to supplement the use of the questionnaire.

3.5. THE CONCEPTS OF RESEARCH INSTRUMENT AND TECHNIQUES

The term technique is derived from the Greek word "techne" and it refers to proficiency or skill in the practical or formal aspects of something, e.g. painting, music, etc; and the term is also defined as mechanical or practical skill or method, or a way of achieving a purpose skillfully (Cullen and Chambers, 2000:809).

In this study a questionnaire will be used for gathering data. The process of administering the questionnaire will be outlined below. The researcher is of the opinion that with a well structured questionnaire enough data for analysis and interpretation could be collected.

3.6. DATA COLLECTING TECHNIQUE

In this study, the researcher will purposefully make use of a questionnaire instrument in data collection, and supplement it with an interview instrument. The instruments will enable the researcher to pose questions to subjects in his search for their attitudes with regard to reward systems in their company.

3.6.1. THE QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN

The researcher will design the research questionnaire. Questions asked will be related to how employees feel about reward systems of the company. The researcher will try to ask the right questions. As the old saying goes: garbage in, garbage out. We quote Greengard (2004: 77) who says "If the questions aren't framed properly, if they are too vague or too specific, it's impossible to amass any meaningful data." The researcher will try to design highly targeted questions. Questions will reflect the objective to be measured. Confusing and ambiguous, as well as unnecessary, terminology will be avoided in the question statements.

Closed-ended questions will be posed, and the respondent will be asked to select an answer from among a list provided by the researcher. Closed-ended questions, according to Babbie (1998: 148), are very popular because they provide a greater uniformity of responses and are more easily processed. Closed-ended responses, on the other hand, can often be transferred directly into a computer format. The answer categories will be mutually exclusive. The participant will not feel compelled to select more than one answer.

In designing the questionnaire, the researcher has taken cognizance of the following main aspects.

3.6.1.2. SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC ITEMS

Demographic questions will be included in the questionnaire. According to Copeland (2005: 5), these