Integrative Research Methodologies For Sports Organization Kukri

Quantitative Research Methods

Discuss about the Integrative Research Methodologies.

The integrative research is a review as well as systematic approach used as the evidence in the selected question. Moreover, the integrative research is a research evidence concerning the current situation in a respective field or an organization. The integrative research is carried to outline the various perspectives as well as methodologies that provides the foundation of the research. Although, integrative research not only helps in draw the overall conclusions bit also helps in outline the practical significance(Weinreich, 2016).

Conversely, in this assignment the integrated research review will be carried out for a sports organization that is an international sportswear for more than 100 sports that includes rugby league, hockey, cricket and football named as “Kukri”. The methodologies adopted will help in analysing the different trends using the experiments that only help in getting sufficient evidence for the market but will also help in guiding through the popularity of the organization(Gosling, 2015). The evidence received from the qualitative as well as quantitative analysis will contribute to the research through community resources.

The quantitative research methods are the numerical as well as quantifiable data that is based on different experimentation. However, the quantitative method considered here is non-experimental quantitative research where the existing variables are studied (Walliman, 2015). However, the organization that we have taken needs to be studied on the issue of “question of cash” in the Kukri regarding the IT problems as well as the serious illness of the senior member lead to service failures. Although, the study will be manifested on the two groups – one who were involved in the issue and one – who were not. Nevertheless, the personal characteristic of each individual will lead to data analysis of the possible result.

Cross- Sectional Studies

The cross sectional study is the quantitative observational study that is descriptive in nature with respect to outcome and the risk factors. The cross- sectional studies are termed to be relative as they are carried one time only (Krickeberg, Pham& Pham, 2012). However, they do not give sequence of events even if they are performed again. This study is best for analysing the change in trends based on hypothesis generated research. On the other hand, the event issue in Kukri Sportswear Company though will not relate causality but if done manually may help in evaluating the current and the future research.

Qualitative Research Methods

The possible strengths as well as weaknesses of this research can be given in the table below.

Strengths	Weaknesses
This research is inexpensive and does not involve any funding (Bryman& Bell, 2015).	It is difficult to make any association or connection between the previous as well as current study. No casual inference.
It is efficient in estimating the viability of interest in the related issue such that sample taken estimated the population such that there is loss to follow up study (Krickeberg, Pham& Pham, 2012).	Different results in different timeframes. Therefore, the “question of cash” issue in sportswear company took place in 2015. Today in 2016, the results might be different and may not be affecting the previous result.
Many results and risk are considered	It results in “prevalence-incidence bias” (Neyman bias). The longer lasting effect will be represented on present circumstances (Kremers&Cakir, 2014).
Analysis:The cross sectional study is assessed to provide a different scenario that might be related based on hypothesis but this may incorporate to be good opportunity to achieve a wide base of knowledge for the respondents who have the certain result of interest with optimal solution levels.

Quasi- Experimental Studies

Quasi- Experimental Study is the study to measure the social variables such that are recognized under the experimental process. Although, this method is quantitative in nature but it resembles to be qualitative as well. The study is based on section of groups and this can be considered one of the apt method to perform the experiment. There is no pre selection of groups but the division is convenient as different values are guided in different groups but a little disruption is possible(Shuttleworth, 2016).

The study is to analyse the reason for the issue and the actual reason for the delay in services in Kukri regrading sportswear to reach to the customers. Moreover, the two variables considered in this case are the ones who were subjectively involved and not involved in the event to take place.

Strengths	Weaknesses
The grouping between the employees can be an issue but results can be generated of the trends in the sportswear company	As it does not involves randomization, statistical results generated would be meaningless
As subjected, it is often illustrated with the internal case studies and allow some sort of statistical input to take place(Shuttleworth, 2016).	The research will not stands up to rigorous statistical scrutiny as a result the researcher would not be able to control the factors that have affected the outcomes (Campbell & Stanley, 2015).
As it does not involves pre-screening and randomization. It avoids necessary costs, time as well as resources undertaken in the research (Campbell & Stanley, 2015).	Kukri would not be able to gauge accurately which groups possessed information regarding the issue and were influenced by the factors.
Analysis:Quasi Experimental design is considered to be a powerful as a reliable tool as it is able to assess the validity of the issue. Moreover, it will highlight the key areas were the “true experiment” was possible. Hence, it provides a good overview of the results generated from the experimental design.

Table 1: Strength and weakness of the analysis

(Source: created by author)

The participants considered in quantitative research methods are large yet the sampling undertaken is systematic random probability sampling. The quantitative research methods yet are feasible but may illustrate more resources. However, the costs as well as time frames is less as compared to qualitative research methods (Bryman& Bell, 2015).

Qualitative Research Methods

The qualitative research method is a type of research that is done to seek answers to problem statement or a research question. It is defined based on the systematic set of procedures that are predetermined in advance. The qualitative research is done to evaluate the specific phenomenon through the implication of quantitative data (Creswell, 2013). Kukri is a sportswear organization where it needs to analyse the internal environment of the country which can only be possible with the help of research that involves the detail perspective of the organization and its sportswear in different sports. The two qualitative methods that will be undertaken are in-depth interviews and participant observation.

The in-depth interviews are optimal for collection of the perspectives as well as experiences on the sensitive topics. However, when we compared with the organization. The in-depth interview will help us getting the insight from the middle as well as the senior level management on the organization’s position in the market and the internal environment of the Kukri.

The in-depth interview will be in an open-ended questions where the respondents not only answer questions like “yes” or “no” but also incorporate questions like “why” or “how” so that systematic recording of the data probes deeper meaning and understanding. The in-depth interview is a guided conversation where different ideas as well as situations can be explored (Bound & Stack, 2012).

In-depth Interviews

The common characteristics that will be portrayed during the research would be that the respondents from the organization while conversing can explore boundaries highlighting the context of the problem like IT problems that caused delays as well as customer service failures that caused quite a damage to the reputation of the business. The main issue like the “question of cash” can be evaluated by giving potential solutions and even managing the results from the quantitative methods (Gosling, 2015). However, undertaking this strategy highlights some advantages as well as disadvantages in the research methods.

Strengths	Weaknesses
It helps in providing more information about the key issue as well as the trends of the organization Kukri.	It can give bias responses because the manager does not want to put his job at stake.
It is conversation based so it gives respondents a comfortable atmosphere so that they can speak with the chain of thoughts.	It is time exhaustive as the researcher as well as interviewer needs to take out time from their busy schedules to conduct the research (Fowler, 2013).
Different types of conversation can be used such as direct as well as indirect because if the respondents are not comfortable then the interviewer can take forward the conversation in third person rather illustrating the situation in the form of a case study (De Vaus, 2013).	As it will be based on small sampling, the data gathered cannot be generalized but the issues as well as the trends of the Kukri will be known
Analysis:In-depth interview research method is carried to analyse the decision making process of the managers in the organization. Even more, its weaknesses cannot be considered evident as its might help in getting those results that were unanticipated by the interviewer.

Table 2: Strength and weakness of the analysis

(Source: created by author)

This type of research study is effective because it helps in providing while anticipating the daily life of the group or the organization such that the nature of the organization can be met by the behaviour as well as interpretations that are observed while conversing with the respondent. Although, is a screening process but the conversation is carried out in leisure time for an extended period of time with local language as well as dialect. The information is recording in field notes (Spradley, 2016). This can be other method that can help in analysing the framework of the internal environment of Kukri. Moreover, it can be analysed tacit as well as explicit information in writing as well as analysis. The analysis can divide its participant with the degree of involvement in the organization.

Type of Participation

Source: (Spradley, 2016)

The strengths and weaknesses can be highlighted as under.

Strengths	Weaknesses
It is a best method as respondents behaviour and attitude will help in describing the way a person can actually take decision for his organization	Only the current behaviour of the research is recorded which can be misleading and result to biasness (Robson and McCartan, 2016)
It is efficient in short samples and becomes suitable when contacted a bunch of people.	It does not help us examine the respondents as a whole as the respondents knowledge as well as the ideas are not shared (Garner & Scott, 2013).
It also helps in recording the nature of past behaviour to understand the reasons that went wrong when the issue like “question of cash” took place.	It is time consuming.
Analysis:The basic function that helps in undertaking this research method is that the emotional reactions provided with the participants helps in giving analytical leads. Moreover, it allows the ethnographer to identify the biases and prejudices over changing attitudes of the events as well as the people.

Table 3: Strength and weakness of the participating observation

(Source: created by author)

When analysing through the participants only a short number of sample can be considered on the qualitative research. Although, it is time consuming but the result generated on the qualitative approach can represent a great deal of happening just like observed in the Kukri organization regarding the supplies. In-depth interview might not be feasible but participant’s observation is effective. The sampling that will be taken for this particular research will be purposive sampling as only top management will be considered for the event of issues and the status of the internal environment of Kukri. This sampling is considered to be successful amongst all others as the analysis is subject to done in conjunction with data collection.

Ethical and cultural consideration in research in Kukri (Sportswear Organization)Ethical considerations are an important part of any research. In order to have a successful integrated research about the international sportswear, Kukri, various ethical considerations must be considered while conducting the survey and the analysis (El-Khani, et al., 2013). Firstly, the effectiveness of the research method undertaken should be based on the ethical principles that will lower the finding possibilities. Secondly, the ethically an organization like Kukri has ethical standing and the issue had indirectly affected its reputation in the New Zealand. Thirdly, ethical considerations are taken for more credibility and leadership that can be undertaken in fostering human dignity or the provision of services. Lastly, the professional and legal issues are held in by professional certification or licensure organizations (Wilcoxon, RemleyJr& Gladding, 2013).Cultural considerations also play an important part in the research of the international sportswear brand. The major key ethical issues and cultural are:

Participant Observation

Consent/Assent for the respondents – In order to publish the views of the respondent in any research paper, it is essential for the researcher to take the consent of the respondent. This consent is important as the respondent may not be comfortable to allow his views to publish. It might create various legal issues in near future and hamper the interest of the research. The sport brand, Kukri, might fall into legal trouble before publishing their research (Miller, et al., 2012). Thus, the company must frame its consent forms for the respondents and ask them to fill up after the survey is done.

Confidentiality – The researcher should maintain privacy and confidentiality of the data that it is publishing in order to maintain the interests of an organization. It is also the responsibility of the researcher to secure the information that the participant is ready to reveal. Revealing confidential information of the respondents is considered as a crime. If the researcher is not comfortable in publishing his confidential information in the research paper, and the researcher publishes them, the research could be charged with criminal offences. This would not abide by the ethical consideration and violate the civilian rights of the respondents. Kukri, being an important brand in international sports wear, should not reveal the confidential information of their respondents and research. This would also help to prevent revealing of the success of their business to other competitors.

Honesty – It is also ethical for the researcher to maintain honesty while conducting the survey. The data and the analysis that the researcher presents should not be fake. It is also essential for the researcher to conduct its own survey. It will be unethical if the researcher copies the work of the other researcher. Honesty is important in research. Gaining the trust of respondents and living up to the expectations of the respondents is the foremost important ethical consideration on the company. Dishonesty would lead to degradation of the brand value and it would hamper their business. (Waycott, et al., 2015).

Openness – when the researcher surveys the respondents about their views regarding the international sports brand, he should be open about the pros and cons of the research to the respondent (Bryman, 2013). The respondents must be told about the various risks present in the research. Not disclosing the pros and cons of the research would hamper the rights of the respondent and Kukri might be into legal troubles in near future. Reveling about the research is important under ethical considerations.

Cultural issues – Cultural issues are another important part that must be considered while doing the research. People of various cultures use the international sports brand. They differ in taste and research that includes these various tastes turns out to be a successful one. Cultural difference leads to difference in the preference of the design, color, and quality of the sportswear. Considering these diversities is important for the research (Shaw, 2016). If various cultures of New Zealand is not considered under the research, there would be a difference created among various cultures and it would hamper the importance of the research. This would in turn create indifference among the people and the company would be tagged as partial to their users. Troubles would be created due to the indifferences and the aim of the research could not be attained.

Objectivity- Bias in experimental design and data analysis should be avoided by the researcher. Personal and financial interests must be avoided that may affect the research. It is also essential for the researcher to be sincere and strive for consistency (Miller, et al., 2012). The research should include people of every culture and regions of New Zealand. The international sport wear company should not be bias in their research and they must have an outcome of their research which is beneficial for every people who prefer sportswear. Discrimination should not be considered into research and the objective of the company must be beneficial for every class of people.

The Treaty of Witangi was signed between British Crown and Maori in the year 1840.  Waitangi Tribunal established the Treaty of Witangi Act 1975.  This is the law that refers to the treaty. The court cases helped in defining the new laws and findings of Waitangi Tribunal. The meaning of the treaty to the contemporary New Zealand society has been outlined. The text treaty is regarded as law as the version of English and Maori version are not the same. The treaty text focuses on the issues relevant at the time of signing. The goals and the intentions are taken into account in the treaty

Principles:

• The treaty helps in building partnership  and there is a duty for the partners to act in good faith and reasonably
• There is freedom to govern by the Crown
• It is the duty of the Crown to protect the interest of Maori
• Crown has to consult with Maori
• The Crown will not be avoiding the obligation under the treaty  by conferring the authority to some other body
• The new circumstances are taken into account in the treaty
• Taonga includes the intangible assets of culture and all the resources are valued.

Conclusions

To conclude, it can be said that integrative research has helped in carrying out the research method that are appropriate for the issue that Kukri faced in 2015 regarding “question of cash.” However, the appropriate methods that can be appropriate under qualitative and quantitative approach were undertaken. Nevertheless, without respondents research cannot be possible. However, this outlines the ethical considerations that had be take in the research as well as in correspondence with the organization.

References

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Gosling, P. (2015). Questions of Cash: ‘South Africa’ was stitched into the kit. It. The Independent. Retrieved 21 June 2016, from https://www.independent.co.uk/money/spend-save/questions-of-cash-south-africa-was-stitched-into-the-kit-it-should-say-holland-9954839.html

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