Research Project, Essay Example

Research Question

During this last economic downturn the housing and construction business may have experienced   substantial loss had it not been because of policies which removed them from pure construction  and sent them on paths leading to other income resources. Chapin and Jermain (2005) described several diversification issues which could affect the construction industry. Those companies that remained steadfast in construction with few avenues to other income resources experienced the greatest loss. Those construction companies maintaining strong diversified income resources usually survived. Likewise, Bettis and Manahan (2010) suggested that construction companies, similar to other industries that maintain single fields of interest were among the first to fail. While construction may be their single-most interest, diversification into other related fields will guarantee that these companies proper while others will fail. Thus, the research question to be explored in this proposal is: What are the characteristics and motives of government and private contractors during the economic recession from 2008-2011?

Qualitative Methods

This study will use a number of qualitative methods in order to understand this question. Primarily, the study will use survey and interview methods at a number of different construction companies in order to understand why contracting companies are in their current position: operating prosperously or facing difficulties. The study will aim at interviewing 50 construction firms located throughout the country and of different sizes and business focus.  The firms will be chosen randomly from two different lists: 1) The first 25 firms will be selected from a list of firms that provides construction services primarily (although not exclusively) to government clients; 2) The second 25 firms will be selected from a list that provides construction services primarily (but not exclusively) to private clients.

Padgett (2004) and Creswell (2009) concur that there are three main ways of gathering data. The first, qualitative research is among the hardest method. Qualitative methodology requires the researcher not simply to gather data as is done in quantitative research, but requires the researcher to gather his or her data through personal observation. Qualitative data is the hardest to gather, especially when multiple organizations are involved. Imagine how cumbersome it will be for the qualitative researcher to personally gather data from multiple construction companies located in different parts of the United States. The gathering of this data may well take resources and time commitments well beyond the scope of the study.

Johnson and Christensen (2000) observed that mixed methods were often better than single data gathering methods. Mixed methods mix observational data gathering (qualitative studies) with quantitative studies. In this latter data gathering the researcher merely reports on material provided by others while numerically assembling the data. In large studies where time and financial resources may eventually take their toll, mixed methods will best serve the researcher. In construction firms within the locale of the researcher and with the permission of each company’s head, the researcher will gather data through interviews and personal observation. In cases outside of the researcher’s locale, a questionnaire will gather data and will help the researcher prepare statistical evaluations from the data gathered.

Working in a single facility or multiple facilities if they are in close proximity to each other can be done when the researcher can familiarize him/herself easily with the surroundings. In such as case it can be easy to do a qualitative study—although the researcher should still plan on taking the time to visit the surroundings and personally interview the voluntary participants taking part in the study. In multiple facilities which are not near to each other he researcher is best off gathering data and without familiarizing him/herself with the surroundings, do statistical comparisons of the data given to instead of collected by the researcher.

Qualitativeresearch (Creswell, 1998) is a soft science and the information gathered is subjective to the biases already created by the researcher. Usually the researcher has some knowledge about the industry from which the material is being gathered. For instance, if interviews are being conducted at a health care facility it is likely the researcher is an experienced nurse or has worked in some kind of hospital support services. Within the interview processes, realities constantly change and are open to individual interpretation. As such, there is no validity; it can be ever-changing and is based on the interpretations of the interviewer.

Creswell (2009) described quantitative studies as a hard science while Padgett (2004) designed quantitative studies for use in the social sciences. Quantitative research is a hard science. Using deduction, it synthesizes data. It is best used as a single reality when data is taken and compared and contrasted. Quantitative research demands and strives for validity. Similar but different industries should produce similar results.

Padgett (2004) and Johnson and Christensen (2000) supported mixed methods for data gathering techniques. Qualitative methodologies require a serious time commitment along with financial resources in order to visit local contractors in any given area. Observing multiple contractors across 50 states is a lifework that, by the time the data has been gathered and analyzed, the technology will have changed enough that the data collected will become obsolete. Mixed methods suggest using qualitative research gathering in a relatively small area, usually a city or at best, a single state. For larger studies such as those covering multiple states, questionnaires are usually prepared and when returned to the researcher, he or she will have enough similar data to prepare a statistical analysis.

Although the sample will be divided into two different categories of government contractors, the answers to questions sought on the informational survey will be the same.  In total, there will be four parts included for the interview/ survey to firms.

• Basic information regarding the firm and its history
• Basic information regarding the firm’s economic history including its clients
• Preference for private or public contracts
• The firm’s performance during the economic downturn

The qualitative survey is normally used by the researcher for face-to-face interviews with relevant managers in the company.  In some cases the researcher may employ a research assistant to gather the material through personal interviews. Huberman and Miles (2002) observed that in most cases the researcher does not have the resources necessary to employ an assistant and finds it necessary to do his or her own interviews. Huberman and Miles also observed that employing an additional person to conduct interviews adds bias to the study. The researcher wants to remove as much bias as possible from the final document.In addition to asking questions, the researcher will also record the entire interview via tape recorder and then transcribe the entire interview.  Once the transcript of the interview is finished, the researcher will import his or her data to NVivo software analysis.

NVivo is a relatively new software package. It is designed to incorporate the various forms of the latest technology, making research available to other researchers who may be engaged in similar studies. Researchers may now upload their observations to Facebook and Twitter. In earlier research data often stood alone only for the benefit of a single researcher. Other researchers seeking similar data had to take the additional time necessary to locate published data and then change that material to fit their own needs. Prior to NVivo, research collection was expensive and required even more time and expenses paid for by the researcher.NVivo is capable of generating reports that can be printed out highlighting the main themes from each individual interview, and the interviews in each category (private contractors versus government contractors).  Once that is finished a full qualitative analysis will be performed by the investigators of the grant.

Expected Findings

It is too early in the study to report on expected findings, but following the material readily available on other businesses it is it is likely that construction businesses (like other firms) who have depended fully on a single source of income, have had difficult times or have ceased operations during our economic downturn. Those businesses which have expanded their operations beyond a single product have been the most successful. In the case of construction firms they could be investing is banking, specifically high interest mortgages, providing financial resources for individuals who, without additional resources, find themselves in foreclosure. These same businesses might find themselves outsourcing employees and materials to government agencies which are trying to keep their own debt to a minimum. The mixed methods study, especially with the use of NVivo, will help the researcher explain the difficulties found in some construction firms while others are maintaining a prosperous operational base.

References

Bettis, R., & Manahan, V. (2010). Risk/return performance of diversified firms. Strategic Management Journal 12 (6): 378-393.

Creswell, J. (1998, 2009). Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Pubs.

Chapin, C. & Jermain, D. (2005). Increasing the success of your diversification program. Sloan Management Review 26(4): 65-71.

Huberman, A., & Miles, M. (2002) The qualitative researchers’ companion. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Johnson, B. & Christensen, L. (2000). Educational research: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Padgett,D. (2004). Qualitative methods in social work research: Challenges and rewards. London: Sage Pubs.