Research Methods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Research Methods - Essay Example Sampling The level of analysis adopted in this study is the company or organizational level. Level of analysis, as defined by Louche and Baeten (2006), refers to the level which this analysis will apply. In this study, the company level of analysis of the impact assessment focuses on the organization, their processes, challenges, decision-making methods, outputs and outcomes (Wood, Logsdon, Lewellyn & Davenport, 2006). The population identified for this study consists of the employees comprising the global virtual teams of a multinational corporation. Random sampling will be used to ensure the representativeness of the sample. Random sampling is a type of probability sampling where each item or member of the population of interest has an equal chance of being included in the sample. This type of sample guarantees that the respondents are selected without bias and at the same time permits the determination of a specified statistical level of confidence in the statement of inferences ( Kazmier, 2004). A Web-based random sample size calculator was used to compute for the minimum required sample, based on the following parameters: (1) margin of error, 5%; (2) confidence level, 95%; (3) population size, 60,000; and (4) response distribution, 50% (Raosoft, 2004). Based on the output generated by calculation, the minimum required sample size was 382. A screenshot of this output is exhibited as Appendix 2. However, in anticipation of contingency which may arise during data gathering, such as invalid or incompletely answered questionnaires, failure to retrieve floated questionnaires, or withdrawal of the respondent’s participation at any point in the study for whatever reason, the minimum sample size required was augmented by 10% and rounded off to the nearest tens. Hence, the sample size in this study is 420. Random sampling will be carried out by obtaining pertinent information such as names of the employees and corresponding e-mail addresses. Permission has alr eady been requested from the HR department after purpose of the study and request for information accessed have been discussed. Approval has also been given on condition of anonymity and confidentiality of the information disclosed. The names of the employees have been inputted in Microsoft Excel (2003). Each name in one column was automatically assigned a random number and sorted from lowest to highest. The first 420 random numbers representing employee names were selected as respondents. Measures Five constructs are being measured in the current study. Three of these constructs are organizational variables included in the first research problem: communication, culture and diversity. Communication is measured in terms of level of adequacy of communication within and among the virtual teams using Part 2 of the research instrument. Respondents assess the adequacy of communication within and among the virtual teams using a five-point Likert Scale. The responses are interpreted accordi ng to the mean of the