Method of Research
This research will collect qualitative data using questionnaires. The questionnaires will have both close-ended and open- ended questions. The qualitative data will then be converted to quantitative data for easier analysis. Therefore, the study will use qualitative methods in data collection, but both qualitative and quantitative methods in data analysis.
Qualitative methods collect data mainly in the form of open-ended questions, interviews and observations (Patton, 1990). Conversely, quantitative methods collect and analyze numerical data (Creswell, 2003). Although the outcomes from quantitative research could be generalized easily, qualitative method offers a better perception of the research problem through analyzing the first person experience, thus need only a smaller sample size to generate a more accurate result. Therefore, this study will use qualitative methods in collecting data because it seeks to collect perceptions of employees about the impact of training on the success of an organization. However, the study will also use quantitative methods in analyzing data for easier analysis.
Population and Sample
The population for the research will be employees of the Toronto Dominion Bank in Canada. The sample will consist of 100 employees who will get selected using random sampling. This sampling technique is suitable, for this study because any employee of the Toronto Dominion Bank can give reliable information on impact of training on the success of the bank. The sample will get surveyed at different days of the week, and different times to get impartial data. Skype will get used in collecting data from respondents who may not get physically available (Gay & Airasian, 2003).
Data Collection
Questionnaires will get used as an instrument in data collection. The questionnaires will contain questions for investigating impacts of employee training on an organization’s success. Both open- ended and close-ended questions will get used in the questionnaire. Also, Likert scale questions will be valuable for collecting descriptive data.
Questionnaires will get presented to every participant. Participants have to fill out the questionnaires in a given time limit, which will get determined by the pilot test. Collected data will then undergo analysis. The first stage in the analysis of data will be data reduction. This is the process of choosing, focusing, abridging, conceptualizing, and converting the data that surface as observations from fieldwork. The interviewer will check the questions and responses, to find consistencies and differences among responses. After data examination, it shall get coded for easier retrieval based on how each data set helps meet the research goals. Coding shall involve demarcation of various segments in the data collected. Data will, then, be transformed to quantitative nature, to aid statistical analysis. Quantitative methods of mean, variance, mode and standard deviation will get used in statistical analysis. Results of data analysis will then be displayed in the form of graphs, charts and tables. Lastly, conclusion drawing will get done. Conclusion drawing does not just mean considering the implications of the analyzed data, but also evaluating such implications.
Therefore, we should note that conclusion drawing, in this study, will not merely be employed during the last steps of data analysis, but it will appear outstandingly throughout the data acquisition stages.
Research Instrument for Data Collection: The Questionnaire
The questionnaire will collect information on the topic, impact of employee training on an organization’s success. The main aim of this survey is to find out whether employee training has any effect on employee performance. The study will focus on employees at Toronto Dominion Bank in Canada.
Demographic Information
- What is your gender? (Tick where suitable)
- Male
- Female
- How long have you worked at the bank? (Tick where correct)
- 1-5 years
- 6-10 years
- 11-15 years
- 16-20 years
- More than 20 years
- What is your department?
Checklist Items
Below is a list of training programs. Put a tick in front of each program, which you think is adequately available in your department.
- Employee workshops
- Employee training manuals
- Instructional Program
Likert Scale Items
The following are statements that describe the organization’s training programs. Read each statement and place a check in the box as to whether you strongly agree (SA), agree (A), are uncertain (U), disagree (D), or strongly disagree (SD) with each statement.
- Training programs offered are relevant to my field.
- The bank uses qualified trainers and suitable technology in its programs.
- The bank offers training programs regularly.
- Employees must meet certain criteria before training.
- Training programs offered to employees contribute to the overall success of the organization.
Free Response Items
How would you rate your organization’s training programs? (Tick where suitable)
- Excellent
- Good
- Fair
- Poor
Do training programs offered by the organization help you in any way?
- Yes, definitely
- Yes, generally
- No, not really
- No, definitely not
Write a brief explanation of what you think the bank should do to improve on its training programs.
Make any other comments, which you may have, about the organization’s training programs.
References
Creswell, J. (2003). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage Publications.
Gay, L. R., & Airasian, P. (2003). Educational research: Competencies for analysis and applications (7th ed.). Columbus, OH: Merrill Prentice Hall.
Patton, M. Q. (1990). Qualitative evaluation and research methods. London, England: Sage Publications.