Monday, July 8, 2013

A Qualitative Design to Workplace Discrimination


Draft Qualitative Proposal
The purpose of the essay is to describe the research method used in this doctoral study project.  The section will start with a description of the research design.  The description of the research design will include: (a) a description of the research method employed; (b) the research questions explored; (c) the sample population selected; (d) the data collection approach; (e) data analysis and interpretation; (f) reporting the findings, and (g) Internal Review Board and ethical considerations.  Following the discussion of the research design, the section will provide a rationale for the research design.  Thirdly, the section will discuss the role of the researcher.  The section will conclude with a summary of the information presented.
Research Design
This study will utilize a qualitative phenomenological design because it provides information on the human experience led by the philosophy of experiences is the basis to phenomenological research (Creswell, 2009).  The purpose of the research is to study discrimination in organizations and learn the relationship between stakeholders and organizations (Bell & Bryman, 2007; Brown, 2011; Byron, 2010; Cooper, 2012; Couch & Fairlie, 2010; Crowell & Guy, 2010; Dillon, McCaughtry, & Hummel, 2010; Goenner, 2010; Hodges & Budig, 2010; Jacobi, 2009; Mong & Roscigno, 2010; Mujtaba & Sims, 2011; Puhl & Heuer, 2011; Roberts & Chitewere, 2011).  The study emerges from researchers building up patterns, categories, and themes (Creswell, 2009).  The framework of additional articles emerged from the Figure 1., below of existing research:


Figure 1.  Qualitative Interest – shows the analytical process of themes related to discrimination in the workplace atmosphere. The cause and effect criteria occur at paths of overlap.

Discrimination is the central focus to ethical misalignments to environmental differences to gender, race, sexual orientation, disability, demographics, ethnicity, and marital status.  As organizations engage into discrimination practices within a subtle atmosphere, other factors evolve from the actions.  As an external and internal response to discrimination, stakeholders participate into misalignments with home ownership, economy, unemployment, litigation, involuntary termination and voluntary termination, at will employment, and credit reports.


Qualitative research pursues to answer a central question, and associated sub-questions (Creswell, 2009).  The proposed study explores the following central research question: How does discrimination, unemployment, ability, at will employment, and perception of job applicants interrelated?  The related sub questions are:
1.     How does the proper job fitness from a candidate to a company relate to personality and ability?  (Interview managers and business managers)
2.     How do limitations placed on bias questions from job interviews and job applications?  (Interview labor law regulating agencies)
3.     How does job fitness perceive ideas unrelated to value, education, and ability not an instrument of the job application and interview?  (Interview labor law regulating agencies)
4.     How does control positioned on the hiring decision in alignment solely on ability, values, and education?  (Interview labor law regulating agencies)
5.     How do institutions be discouraged to practice subtle racism?  (Interview labor law regulating agencies)
6.     How do limitations assigned on interpersonal skills, visions about ideal candidates and perceived behavior, not a factor in job placements?  (Interview labor law regulating agencies)
7.     How does job performance and disability separate from job performance reviews?  (Interview labor law regulating agencies)
8.     How does sexual orientation inhibit productivity in the workplace? (Interview managers and business managers)
The participants of the study include social groups within gender, race, sexual orientation, disability, demographics, marital status, and ethnicity (Berry & Bell, 2012; Brown-Iannuzzi, Payne, & Trawalter, 2012; Byron, 2010; Cooper, 2012; Dillon et al., 2010; Gau & Gaines, 2012; Heller, Arnold, van Heumen, McBride, & Factor, 2012; Hodges & Budig, 2010; Levashina & Campion, 2009; Malos, 2012; Mong & Roscigno, 2010; Morgan Parmett, 2012; Mujtaba & Sims, 2011; Puhl & Heuer, 2011; Roberts & Chitewere, 2011; Wright, Domagalski, & Collins, 2011).  An assumption is that the selection of owners/managers and stakeholders for interviewing relates to the belief that they possess the pertinent insights that provide depth to this study.  The criteria for selecting participants will consider regional, gender, race, sexual orientation, disability, demographics, marital status, and ethnicity representation.
I must identify the purpose of selected site to benefit participants of the study or site (Creswell, 2009).   The collection of different varieties of data requires disclosing (Creswell, 2009).  Qualitative data collection types include observations, interviews, documents, and audio visual materials (Creswell, 2009).  Field notes that include the behavior activities of individuals include qualitative observations (Creswell, 2009).  Qualitative interviews involve open-ended questions to face-to-face and focus group participants (Creswell, 2009).  Moreover, qualitative documents are public documents (Creswell, 2009).  Qualitative audio and visual materials are data in the form of photographs, art objects and video tapes, or any form of sound (Creswell, 2009). 
I should use an observational protocol that provides a detailed description of interaction with test participants (Creswell, 2009).  Moreover, I should maintain a list of qualitative data collection approaches, observation interviews, documents and audio visual materials (Creswell, 2009).  The protocol for interview questions include heading instructions for the interviewer, ice-breaker questions follow by sub questions, space between the questions for answers, and a thank you statement at the end (Creswell, 2009).  I should record information from the interviews by taking hand-written notes, audio tapes, or video tapes (Creswell, 2009).  Lastly, I should make a notation on the notes to state whether the information is from the primary source, secondary source, and represents reliable data (Creswell, 2009). 
For me to make sense of the collected data, I should prep the data by conducting different analyses, and evaluate further into the data (Creswell, 2009).  The process in making sense of the data involve continual reflection, analytical questions, writing memos and organizing data (Creswell, 2009).  Data analysis involves synthesizing long interviews and data to derive patterns or characteristics that evaluate (Creswell, 2009).  Moreover, data interpretation and processing in qualitative processes involve coding the data in different layers to position it against a theoretical model (Creswell, 2009). 
I should blend the general steps with the research strategy steps (Creswell, 2009).  The general steps in building data include linear and hierarchical approach (Creswell, 2009).  The first step I should take is to organize the data for analysis (Creswell, 2009).  The next step is to understand the data through reading (Creswell, 2009).  Then follows the coding process, I should identify the data by chunks (Creswell, 2009).  Coding the data represents the understanding categorizing, and developing of information for quick analysis (Creswell, 2009).  The codes to use for data include past historical and common sense terms (Creswell, 2009).  Codes should be surprising unusual, and involve the larger picture (Creswell, 2009).  I ought to consider predetermined codes plus fit of data, codes from paradigm information, and combined preexisting plus existing codes (Creswell, 2009).  Emergent codes lead to theory building (Creswell, 2009). 
Data analysis programs and spreadsheets allow qualitative research exploration through good tutorials, demonstration, compact discs, visual presentations, and search ability of text (Creswell, 2009).  Software programs to assist in research for PC based computers include MAXqda, Atlas.ti, QSR NVivo, and HypeRESEARCH (Creswell, 2009).  I can use the coding process information on people, places, or events called description (Creswell, 2009).  In addition, I can interconnect themes into a story, and develop into a theoretical model that creates a complex theme connection (Creswell, 2009).  Ethnography, grounded theory, and the chronology of events translates by the researcher through a narrative passage (Creswell, 2009).  Interpretation of the data is the final step in data analysis stating lessons learned (Creswell, 2009).  Advocacy and participatory approaches to qualitative research follows next as questions and patterns developed through the data (Creswell, 2009). 
Validation occurs throughout the process of research with the proactive actions of the researcher (Creswell, 2009).  The proactive measures of the researcher relate to qualitative validity; whereas, consistency across all levels of research involves qualitative reliability (Creswell, 2009).  The reliability process includes checking for mistakes, transparency in the definition of codes, coordinate team communication among the coders and cross-checking independently derived codes (Creswell, 2009).  An intercoder agreement allows verification of evidence to reliability procedures (Creswell, 2009). 
Software programs can assure reliability of coding, and the goal is for at least 80% reliability (Creswell, 2009).  The structure of qualitative questions assures validity (Creswell, 2009).  I can improve the accuracy of findings by establishing a validity strategy consisting of multiple accuracy strategies (Creswell, 2009).  Observation to convergence to data is necessary to establish themes (Creswell, 2009).  I should clarify the test study participants’ input by clarifying entries on a separate meeting (Creswell, 2009).  Moreover, I should provide many details when interviewing the test participants to include the location (Creswell, 2009).  I should clarify the bias of research due to my background as a paragraph (Creswell, 2009).  I ought to provide conflicting information on the them to build validity (Creswell, 2009).  Qualitative studies require the researcher to spend lots of time with participants to establish rapport and develop validity (Creswell, 2009).  A networking peer can provide a review and questionnaire to enhance the accuracy of the account (Creswell, 2009).  A qualitative studies auditor can perform checks and balances on the research to present a second opinion about the research (Creswell, 2009). 
Whenever a researcher generalizes individuals sites, or places within the case study is in reference to generalization (Creswell, 2009).  The basic steps in qualitative write-up include developing descriptions of setting with many details (Creswell, 2009).  The same approach made to individuals in a case study to include chronological events, description of their experiences, and theory generated from the data (Creswell, 2009).  Writing strategies include (a) quotes; (b) writing in different languages to reflect cultural sensitivity; (c) presenting text in tabular form; (d) using the wording from participants to form codes; (e) intertwining quotations with the author’s interpretations; (f) using indents to call attention to quotations; (g) using the first person “I” or collective “we; ” (h) using metaphors and analogies; (i) using a narrative approach and; (j) describing how the narrative outcome will compare to theories and general literature (Creswell, 2009). 
The ethical concerns for the study including minimizing risk to test participants (NIH Office of Extramural Research, 2013).  In addition, all clinical trials require reporting to the NIH Office of Extramural Research (NIH Office of Extramural Research, 2013).  A clinical trial to be equipoise requires confidentiality of private information including (a) keeping data in a password-protected database; (b) storing images in a secured cabinet; and (c) coding data or specimens and keeping the key to the code in a separate, locked drawer (NIH Office of Extramural Research, 2013).  In areas where community consent is the norm, a family member's consent for another individual may be sufficient, as long as community consent is available (NIH Office of Extramural Research, 2013).  Even if a test participant signs a consent form for the research, he or she does not have to participate (NIH Office of Extramural Research, 2013).   The three ethical principles that are the basis for HHS Human Subject regulations (45 CFR 46) include respect for persons, beneficence, and justice (NIH Office of Extramural Research, 2013).  I should eliminate from the research for participants coercion, research risks, and repeated recruitment of test participants for new protocols (NIH Office of Extramural Research, 2013).
Rationale for the Research Design
Qualitative research assumes a connection with attitude and behavior ("Benefits of qualitative research," 2011).  Systematic order sets the precedent to qualitative research that allows the structure in disproving and proving a hypothesis ("Benefits of qualitative research," 2011).  External factors do not exist in qualitative studies ("Benefits of qualitative research," 2011).  The creation of theories and application to phenomena is possible with qualitative studies ("Benefits of qualitative research," 2011).  Moreover, qualitative studies encourage test participants to express views and utilize the test participants language within the study ("Benefits of qualitative research," 2011; Creswell, 2009).  Lastly, bias information cannot be used in qualitative studies ("Benefits of qualitative research," 2011).
Researchers tend to collect their own data in the field, and collect different forms of data (Creswell, 2009).  The study emerges from researchers building up patterns, categories, and themes (Creswell, 2009).  Researchers focus on the interpretation of events from the study participants point of view (Creswell, 2009).  The research problem emerges from the focus of study participants’ input (Creswell, 2009).  Moreover, qualitative research uses a central theme of focus that points the researcher to the direction of research (Creswell, 2009).  Multiple views can occur from all the participants of research due to interpretation of the information provided (Creswell, 2009).  Lastly, researchers attempt to understand the problem by the interpretation of complex engagement to participants and drawn an analytical model of research (Creswell, 2009). 
Qualitative research allows the author to develop more robust research than quantitative methods (Petty, Thomson, & Stew, 2012).  In addition, qualitative research allows to favor ethical concerns for test participants (Petty et al., 2012).  The human experience expressed with text accommodates the qualitative methodology (Petty et al., 2012).  Change in data behavior explains better through qualitative research than quantitative research (Petty et al., 2012).  Lastly, qualitative research allows the researcher to triangulate a theory (Creswell, 2009; Petty et al., 2012).
Role of the Researcher
As an inquirer to qualitative research, it is my responsibility to state any bias I may have towards the study (Creswell, 2009).  Moreover, I should announce the statements regarding past experiences in relation to the research (Creswell, 2009).  I should also comment about my personal relationship towards the participants and the research sites (Creswell, 2009).  A letter from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) regarding permission to the experiment is a requirement I must commit (Creswell, 2009).  I should discuss the process in obtaining permission to the research site (Creswell, 2009).  The proposal for research at the site should include a purpose for study, activities, disruptive, method of reporting, choice of location, and address of sensitive issues (Creswell, 2009).
Conclusion

The proposed study will use a qualitative phenomenological design due to the need in understanding the human experience to discrimination.  Organizations that offer “At Will Employment” draw conflicting reviews concerning an employee’s work performance, which leads to organizations influence the conditions for termination and litigation.  The proposed study explores central research questions to discrimination, unemployment, ability, at will employment, and perception.  The participants of the study include social groups within gender, race, sexual orientation, disability, demographics, marital status, and ethnicity.  Using qualitative research data collection protocols represents importance to the study.  The information stores in data analysis programs and spreadsheets that allow qualitative research exploration through good tutorials, demonstration, compact discs, visual presentations, and search ability of text.  Ethical concerns will follow the NIH Office of Extramural Research conditions.  Lastly, bias to research and assumptions will draw more depth to the study.
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References



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