Introduction
While conducting a research study, it is important to uphold integrity by ensuring that the results are credible, valid, and reliable to the target parties (Patton, 2002). In addition, the research study must involve ethical practices which ensure that the interactions with respondents are professional (Schram, 2006). In this light, the aspects should be used in parts of the research including sampling, collecting, and analyzing data (Shank, 2006). Therefore, this paper will focus on the practices that could be embraced in the envisioned research to ensure the viability and reliability of the results.
Data Integrity
In a previous discussion on research orientation, it was stated that a sample could be collected by the random purposive method. In this light, the random purposeful technique ensures that the sample is not collected in a biased manner (Sheu & Wei, 2009). This approach also ensures that it does not favor the realization of results that direct towards predefined hypotheses. Instead, the results should be obtained in a naturalistic manner. On the other hand, the purposive design ensures that the people involved in the research are relevant to the study (Stein & Springer, 2008). Otherwise, interviewing people without the relevant information about the research purpose would lead to a lack of credibility in the data obtained. Since random purposive sampling is a combination of the two methods, it ensures that the collection is random and purposeful (Trochim & Donnelly, 2008). Therefore, this will lead to a collection of relevant, credible, and valid data.
Flexible questionnaires are designed in a manner that allows modification (Shibata & Ikeda, 2008). This flexibility ensures that the questions could be manipulated to accommodate unexpected issues or remove irrelevant themes (Trochim & Donnelly, 2008). While storing these documents, they must be stored in a manner that does not compromise the integrity of results. To avoid inconvenience, the inquiries are put on shelves under population segments. In this research, there will be three segmentations relating to NGO representatives, government officials, and migrant workers. The respective questionnaires will be stored concerning the three groups to avoid confusion. They will be kept under the care of a person who can ensure that the data is not altered. They should be kept in a safe place that is free from theft or destruction. During data collection, it is important to ensure that the respondents feel free when giving information. The confidentiality of information must be assured to encourage people on giving much information. For example, posing personal questions should be avoided since they threaten the privacy of respondents.
Ethical Issues
Various ethical issues could arise when sampling, collecting and analyzing data. One of these ethical issues is a lack of professionalism. For example, the data collectors could be tempted to choose the samples without following the right procedures that reduce workload. In addition, they could be tempted to fill in the questionnaires rather than collect the actual data. It is also possible for them to provide results without analyzing. Lack of professionalism and informality can lead to profound ethical issues which compromise data integrity. As a result, the researchers should be trained before taking their respective roles. This will help in maintaining the right standards.
Conclusion
The research study must be ethical and credible. In this light, various activities on research sampling, data collection, and data analysis must be conducted with integrity and an ethical approach. Otherwise, they could compromise the integrity of the research.
References
Patton, M. (2002). Qualitative research & evaluation methods Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Schram, T. (2006). Conceptualizing and proposing qualitative research (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.
Shank, G. (2006). Qualitative research: A personal skills approach. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.
Sheu, S., & Wei, I. (2009). Using Snowball Sampling Method With Nurses To Understand Medication Administration Errors. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 18(4), 559-569.
Shibata, Y., & Ikeda, H. (2008). Questionnaire Survey Of Physical Properties Of Urea Preparations. Nishi Nihon Hifuka, 70(6), 634-638.
Stein, H., & Springer, M. (2008). Comparison Of Two Sampling Methods For Biomonitoring Using Aquatic Macroinvertebrates In The Dos Novillos River, Costa Rica. Ecological Engineering, 34(4), 267-275.
Trochim, W., & Donnelly, J. (2008). The research methods knowledge base. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.