CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0 Chapter Introduction

The methodological challenges linked with the research of an evaluation of the value of
procurement methods in achieving organizational objectives are discussed in this chapter. It
investigates the methods for gathering and interpreting data from the target population (sample).
Only a few of the methodological considerations mentioned in this chapter are the research
design, target population, sample and sampling strategy, data sources, data collection tools, data
collection, and data analysis.

3.1 Research Methods

A research technique is an organized and methodological way for performing research. Three
main research methods have been identified in the literature. Quantitative, qualitative, and hybrid
research methods are the three types of research methodologies (Bryman,2008; Creswell,2012;
Denscombe,2003; Heaton,2004; Punch,2013; Silverman,2013). Each of these research methods
has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, therefore selecting one of the three approaches
to conduct a study is largely dependent on the type of study and intended conclusion. It is
suggested that the focus of each of the three approaches is determined by how causal linkages
are established (Flick,2014;Yin 2013).

3.1.1 Quantitative research method

The quantitative research approach examines the relationship between variables in order to test
objective theories. These variables can be monitored using instruments, allowing numbered data
to be examined using statistical procedures. It is considered the classic and positives what is
research approach that is fully deductive, and is used to test theory, develop a bias protection,
control for alternative explanations, and generalize and replicate findings (Punch,2013;
Silverman,2013). It focuses on the ability to precisely measure goods in terms of quality,
quantities, intensity, or frequency, as well as the ability to experimentally validate or reject
events. Quantitative approaches try to classify features, count them, and develop statistical
models to test hypotheses and explain data, including their context. It stresses objectivism and is
more geared at natural scientists (Bryman and Bell,2011; Creswell,2012; Punch,2013; Teddlie
and Tashakkori,2009). It is argued that the fundamental premise of this approach is that there is
objective truth in the world that may be discovered scientifically. Quantitative research
methodologies seek to statistically and methodically assess the relationship between variables in
order to support or disprove pre-defined hypotheses. (Bryman, 2003; Silverman, 2013).
In effect, quantitative research is based on statistical processes for data analysis and has its
origins in the scientific method. Because it is founded on scientific discovery, the scientific
community has produced defined rules and procedures for implementing quantity quantitative
approaches, such as survey preparation, testing, validation, sample identification, and a variety
of other procedures. Experiments and surveys are used to acquire measurable data for statistical
analysis (Creswell,2003). Thus, quantitative, which is derived from the word quality, use
numerical data and focuses on hypothesis testing. Statistical processes are used in quantitative
methods to refine and reveal patterns that arise from the data. Quantitative approaches' outcomes
are frequently generalizable to bigger populations. Quantitative studies have dominated the
research literature for a long time.

3.1.2 Qualitative research method

Qualitative research is delving into and comprehending the meanings that individuals or groups
attach to social or human issues. Non-numerical data is analyzed and evaluated using qualitative
approaches. It strives to make sense of intangible evidence like emotions and behavior. It's a type
of study approach that focuses on the attributes of entities, processes, and meanings that can't be
tested or evaluated in terms of number, amount, intensity, or frequency.
It focuses on the interconnectedness of concepts and the assumption of a descriptive inquiry used
to collect and analyze data (Gray,2013).
Qualitative approaches can be used in research that involves the interaction of persons, their
environments, and the motivations that drive individual behavior and activity. As a result,
qualitative research is advised as a means of better understanding human development. In
contrast to the quantification of social features, it allows researchers to collect firsthand and in-
depth knowledge about a phenomenon in a holistic and interpretive manner from the larger
social context (Myers,2013; Potter,2013; Silverman,2013). The three primary goals of
qualitative research are to characterize, comprehend, and explain problems.
They have an expositive and constructionist approach and are inductive in nature (Bryman and
Bell,2011; Creswell,2012;Gray,2013). It's most typically used when reality is viewed as socially
created and comprehension necessitates the engagement of impacted social actors (Potter, 2013;
Silverman,2013). Qualitative research allows researchers to immerse themselves in social events,
witnessing them in their natural setting and appreciating them from the perspective of social
actors; this is essential for analyzing the social dimension of any occurrence (Bryman,2012;
Creswell,2012; Marshall and Rossman,2010).
Quantitative methodologies enforce strict rules and procedures, whereas qualitative
methodologies do not. The research procedure was derived from the data itself using the
qualitative method. As a result, one phase frequently leads to the formation of the next. By
delivering in-depth information in the natural language of experience, the qualitative method
allows for the richness of the human experience. This enables data categorization by seeing the
experience in its natural surroundings, excluding preconceived ideas, and relying on critical
researcher judgment. Because the process evolves from patterns observed in the data, qualitative
approaches allow for flexibility and procedure change. Data is coded in qualitative approaches,
which means it is divided into smaller pieces or categories based on phrases, concepts,
sentences, or other logical components.

3.1.3 Mixed Methods

Mixed method research combines the qualities and elements of both qualitative and quantitative
techniques of research into a single study. It entails combining qualitative and quantitative
methodologies to the point where the study's overall strength exceeds that of either quantitative
or qualitative research. Mixed method research has grown in favor among academics in recent
years since it provides information from multiple perspectives for a better understanding of a
phenomenon. The mixed methods methodology combines quantitative and qualitative data in
the same study to provide a more in-depth understanding of the variable that leads to numerical
results.
It is a new methodology based on philosophical assumptions that govern the direction of data
collection and analysis, as well as the use of a combination of quantitative and qualitative
methodologies in various stages of the research process. In a single study or set of studies, it
focuses on gathering, analyzing, and blending both qualitative and quantitative data. Its core idea
is that combining quantitative and qualitative methods yields a greater grasp of research
challenges than either method alone. Mixed methods research can also be utilized for
triangulation or to improve study validity. Because it incorporates the best parts of each method,
mixed method research avoids many critiques. Results from mixed methods research are more
valid and reliable since they are triangulated. Using hybrid techniques has the disadvantage of
taking more time and effort, as well as potentially increasing costs.

3.2. Adopted research methods

The qualitative research approach was used in this study on the role of procurement processes in
achieving organizational objectives because it allows the researchers to get relevant information
from the experience of respondent directory and quantitatively. As a result, the researchers are
unable to portray the story of respondents acting as social actors and reporting their procurement
experiences in a unique way. As a result, the qualitative method was chosen based on the
assumption that it ensures a better understanding and explanation of MCKEOWN catering
services limited procurement procedures.

3.3 Research Design

It has been suggested that the quality of any research's outcome is heavily influenced by the
research design. A research design is a big picture plan for putting all the pieces of a study
together to answer a problem (Bryman,2012; Creswell,2012; Marshall and Rossman,2010).
Research design encompasses the many plans, processes, and procedures for data collection and
analysis (Bryman,2013). According to Creswell (2012), research design is the process of
developing a project question into a research project. It covers everything from broad
assumptions to specific data collection and analysis procedures. It's a broad strategy for carrying
out research to answer the research questions that have been established (Denscombe,2003;
Heaton,2004; Punch,2013). Mixed methods approaches provide specific direction for research
operations, and research design allows researchers to estimate how long it will take to finish the
study successfully (Marshall and Rossman,2010). Two types of research designs are
experimental and case studies. A case study design was used in this work. Descriptive research
was used in this study. According to Mugenda & Mugenda, a descriptive study is one that tries
to collect data from a population in order to determine the respondents' current position in regard
to the variables (2003). A design study is the product of a researcher's decisions about how the
research should be conducted. This study investigates the effects of procurement strategies on
organizational performance.

3.4 Case Study Design

A case is the focus of an investigation and the subject of research (Bryman,2012;Flick,2014). A

case could be a community, an organization, a person, an event, or any other unit of study about
which data is socially collected in their natural surroundings to provide a deep insight into the
total (Creswell,2012; Punch, 2013; Yin,2011). It is stated that case studies provide greater
contextual analysis and are commonly used in organizational and management research to
provide in-depth understanding and explanation of events (Bryman,2012). Others claim that case
studies are particularly valuable in conducting research when real-life experiences are the center
of the investigation and numerous evidence sources are required to support effective
understanding, such as interviews, questionnaires, and observation (Gray,2013; Silverman,2013;
Yin,2010). Case studies are also advantageous because they enable the successful integration of
the three pillars of mixed research methodologies: understanding, describing, and explaining
social phenomena (Myers,2013; Silverman, 2013). Case study approaches are useful because
they may adequately reflect the perspectives of the respondents under investigation, allowing for
effective reconstruction (Bryman,2012; Marshall and Rossman,2010; Yin,2011). When there are
a lot of variables of interest and the researcher isn't sure which ones are essential, this technique
comes in handy (Bryman,2012; Creswell,2012).
It's also useful when you need multiple sources of evidence to complement each other for a more
complete picture of what transpired (Gray,2013; Silverman,2013; Stake,2013; Yin, 2014). Case
studies, on the other hand, take time and the processes involved might be difficult to bear
(Yin,2011). Case study approaches are useful because they may adequately reflect the
perspectives of the respondents under investigation, allowing for effective reconstruction
(Bryman,2012; Marshall and Rossman,2010; Yin,2011). When there are a lot of variables of
interest and the researcher isn't sure which ones are essential, this technique comes in handy
(Bryman,2012; Creswell,2012).
It's also useful when you need multiple sources of evidence to complement each other for a more
complete picture of what transpired (Gray,2013; Silverman,2013; Stake,2013; Yin, 2014). Case
studies, on the other hand, take time and the processes involved might be difficult to bear
(Yin,2011). For most cases, the time it takes to sample and choose cases, gain access to case
sites, collect and evaluate data, and so on can be considerable.
Furthermore, rather than complementing one another, collecting many pieces of data from
various sources can provide disparate and sometimes contradicting results, making analysis
difficult even with the use of technology (Gray,2013; Silverman,2013; Stake,2013; Yin, 2014).

3.4.1 Type of case studies

Five types of case studies have been identified in the literature: descriptive, illustrative,
experimental, exploratory, and explanatory (Creswell,2012; Gray,2013; Punch,2013).
Descriptive case studies are used to collect information in order to explain real-world events
(Flick,2014). Case studies were utilized to show how new systems and concepts could be
implemented (Yin, 2011).
Exploratory case studies are used to conduct preliminary investigations to assess a possible
scope for future research, whereas experimental case studies ensure that challenges associated
with the development and implementation of new systems are effectively assessed using existing
theories (Stake, 2013). (Yin, 2011). Despite the numerous classifications of case study research,
it is said that the distinctions are blurred and that the type of case study chosen is determined on
the nature of the research and methodology utilized (Creswell,2012; Yin, 2011).

3.4.2 Adoption of case study design

Because of its superior contextual analysis, a case study technique was used for the research on
MCKEOWN catering services limited (Bryman, 2012; Creswell,2012; Marshall and
Rossman,2010). This is based on the assumption that each case study is distinct and has its own
characteristics. As a result, MCKEOWN catering services limited procurement processes may
differ from those of other companies, and it's worth looking into.

3.4.3 Case study of Organization – MCKEOWN catering Service limited

MCKEOWN catering services ltd is a totally owned Ghanaian catering company with over
fifteen (15) years of expertise in the industry. Most businesses, particularly those in the mining
industry, use the company's catering services. It presently has three (3) locations with a total staff
of roughly 300 people.
3.4.4 Study population
In research, a population is the collection of all individuals or objects that share a set of qualities
or attributes that match the criteria for selecting a sample for inclusion in a study or investigation
(Bryman,2012; Creswell, 2012; Marshall and Rossman, 2010; Yin,2013). The major focus of the
investigation is a huge group of individuals or items. All feasible elements, participants, or
observations linked to a particular occurrence of interest to the researcher can be considered part
of the population (Bryman,2012; Creswell, 2012; Marshall and Rossman, 2010; Yin,2011). As a
result, a population is a limitless collection of all the goods in question.
The three (3) branches of MCKEOWN catering services limited, as well as the organization's
300 employees, are the study's target group. However, because it may not be possible to explore
every aspect of the population due to budget restrictions and other pertinent factors, a sample of
the population is usually chosen and used. This is because it is nearly hard to include every
member of the proposed population in the study in most situations. As a result, samples are used
in research in accordance with the ideas of best practices research.
3.4.5 Target Population

This is the precise population for which data is required, in this case works from the East
African "Portland Cement Company Limited's Supply Chain Department; Procurement
Department, Operations Planning and Logistics Department, Stores, Weighbridge, and also
Finance Department; Corporate Performance (regulates purchases against budget) and
Payables section" (pays suppliers).

Table 3. 4.5 Target Population

Categories population %
Officers in charge of procurement 10 10
Planning 12 15
Stores Operations 32 50
Weighing Scales 18 9
Performance 8 6
Accounts Section 10 10
TOTAL 90 100
3.5 Sampling Design and Procedure

The sample will be chosen using a stratified random sampling method. This is merely an
estimate. This is a probabilistic sampling method in which the entire population is divided into
subsections and the final themes are picked at random from various places. According to Kothari
(2004), samples of about 10% can provide useful reliability. The sample size for the study was
more than 50% of the total population, which was more than enough. This method is statistically
sound, saving you time and money. Regardless of population size differences across divisions,
this technique uses the same sampling proportion for each division.

Table 3. 5

Category Population Size %

Officers in charge of procurement 15 9 55
Planning 20 8 58
Stores Operations 30 20 54
Weighing Scales 10 6 60
Corporate performance 5 9 73
Accounts Section 10 8 53
TOTAL 90 60

3.6 Data Collection Procedures

The information will come from both primary and secondary sources. An unstructured
questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions will be used to gather background data,
supplier selection procedures, buyer-supplier relationships, and organizational capabilities and
lastly ethical behaviors. Background information, supplier selection procedures, buyer-supplier
interactions, organizational capabilities, and ethical behaviors are the five sections of the
questionnaire. Both structured and unstructured inquiries save time and facilitate analysis.
Questionnaires are efficient, low-cost, and easy to utilize. Annual reports and company
publications were used to acquire secondary data.

3.7 Validity and Reliability

If a test reveals what it was designed to examine, it is considered legitimate, according to Kothari
(2004). Validation studies will be carried out on the original data acquired. Experts from several
disciplines of study will be consulted. This will make it easier to make the necessary changes and
revisions, hence increasing legitimacy. The term "reliability" refers to the constancy of the
outcomes. If the same result is obtained repeatedly, a test is considered dependable (Cooper and
Schindler, 2003).

3.8 Analysis and Presentation of Data

Marshall and Ross explain that data analysis entails data regulation, structure, and clarity (1999).
The goal of this study is to determine the degree to which independent variables influence the
dependent variable. For simpler display and analysis, the information gathered will be compiled
into tables, graphs, and pie charts.