M1A2 AND M2A1 - qualitative research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

M1A2 AND M2A1 - qualitative research - Essay Example M1A1 Identified phenomenon in the workplace that can be explored by qualitative research method and its analysis Significance of effects of stress and attitude on employees’ productivity level is one of the workplace phenomena that can be explored by a qualitative research method. Stress defines response to a physical or mental strain and is a common factor in the workplace because of the scope of people’s lives and the work environment. People combine work and private life and the strain in balancing the two, together with effects of the demands in a worker’s personal life induces stress among workers. Personal attitudes towards other employees and work processes are also common and may be influenced by emotional stability from stress among employees. These factors dictates worker’s focus, and may influence their effectiveness and efficiencies at the workplace. It is therefore important to understand employee’s states and possible effects of the we lfare on organizational processes for managerial initiatives. Understanding stress and attitude indicators among employees and the relationship between levels of stress and employee productivity can for example help in counseling employees with the aim or reducing impacts of stress and poor attitudes in an organization (McGraw Hill, n.d.). Suitability of qualitative research method for the phenomenon: Seven characteristics of a qualitative research The differences between qualitative and quantitative research methods justify the choice of qualitative approach for the proposed study. The study’s epistemological assumptions identify social perspectives in employees’ social lives and this is a characteristic of a qualitative research. The study’s purpose that seeks to understand employees’ experiences with stress and attitude towards decision making also identifies with qualitative research as opposed to quantitative research objectives of establishing relat ionships for forecasting. The type of raw data for the study, expressions regarding stress, attitude, and ability to work, is qualitative and is therefore compatible with a qualitative method. Further, the study’s emphasis on developing an understanding on association among the factors and its non-random sampling approach of a single organization also identify the research with qualitative method. The proposed data collection strategies for, interviews and observation, that allows for simultaneous analysis, and applicable quality criteria such as credibility and dependability of data also justifies the proposed study’s suitability for a qualitative study and not a quantitative one (Agrosy University, 2005). M2A1: Description of a qualitative research scenario for the phenomenon Introduction Stress has been identifies as a significant factor to employee’s productivity levels in an organization with an inverse correlation. This also suggests a negative relationshi p between poor attitude and productivity (Bashir, 2010). The knowledge of significance of stress and attitude on productivity is however not sufficient for preventive measures and further research is necessary on the significance of different stress and attitude levels and the levels’ indicators (Hancock and Szalma, 2008). This research approach to the workplace phenomenon will therefore develop a model of stress and att