I am going to evaluate the value-added of a typical research project based on its quality indices and just by using qualitative approaches.
One of my friends recommended me implementing the "Liker Scale" method to tackle this problem. But I am really enthusiastic to hear your suggestions.
I was wondering if you could help me in this problem.
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Hello Morteza,
Thank you for the question - well, I am a bit confused - qualitative and Likert scale! a bit of clarification is needed here.
Thanks and regards
Dear Professor Issa,
I am really grateful to you for your immediate answer.
Actually, I want to evaluate the qualitative value of a project based on some quality indices. I have prepared a list of these indices and for each index, I have considered five choices as follows:
1) Very High (equals number 5)
2) High (equals number 4)
3) Moderate (equals number 3)
4) Low (equals number 2)
5) Very Low (equals number 1)
The experts have to answer to our questionnaire by selecting one of the above mentioned choices.
For instance, the index is 'Motivation among the staff'. The expert have to answer whether this project has had this quality or not. If so, how much (No. 1 to 5)?
Finally, I will gather the questionnaires and evaluate the value of this project by using 'Likert Scale'.
I want to know if this method is true or not. I would be grateful if you could help me in this regard.
Regards,
Morteza Shabanzadeh
Hello Morteza,
I think we need to make a clarification of the definitions here. As given by Fraenkel et al -
• Qualitative research refers to research investigations of the quality of relationships, activities, situations, or materials.
• Qualitative researchers are especially interested in how things occur and particularly in the perspectives of the subjects of a study.
General Characteristics of Qualitative Research
• The natural setting is a direct source of data, and the researcher is a key part of the instrumentation process.
• Qualitative data are collected mainly in the form of words or pictures and seldom involve numbers.
• Content analysis is a primary method of data analysis.
• Qualitative researchers do not, usually, formulate a hypothesis beforehand and then seek to test it. Rather, they allow hypotheses to emerge as a study develops.
Research
• Quantitative research relies on empirical data, reason, and the development of scientific laws to explain phenomena. Quantitative researchers believe the scientific method is the surest way to produce effective knowledge.
• Qualitative research takes a more “artistic” approach. The goals of this research differ in that multiple interpretations of events are preferred over a single interpretation. The perceptions of the different individuals involved are considered.
What you are referring is actually Quantitative research and will be classified as Survey Research.
What Is a Survey?
A. Researchers are often interested in the opinions of a large group of people about a particular topic or issue. They use surveys to ask questions all related to the issue to find answers.
B. Most surveys possess three basic characteristics: (1) the collection of information; (2) from a sample; and (3) by asking questions in order to describe some aspects of the population of which the sample is a part.
This is where you will be using Likert scale to quantify the response from survey.
At the Polytecnic Universiity of Valencia we were working in a study linking joint efforts between university (ressearh), enterprises and government and suggested a quantitative and qualitative method to assess value added.
If you are interested we can send you a copy of this study
Likert scale is 1 to 5 as you have there but one of the five i.e. the middle value is neutral. If you switch out moderate for neutral you have a likert scale. i.e the respondents can select very high, high, neutral (neither high or low) low or very low.
Once you have all of your questionnaire results you can carry out a statistical analysis, if you have a good number of responses to work out. internal consistency and reliability of the results and how they relate to one another.
Quantitative is basically trying to determine value. Quality checks inline within manufacturing you could argue are non value add. Its something you do to ensure you are doing something correctly. In an ideal world you should be doing things correctly and not require a check.
That said Tacihi Ohno I believe talked selling quality. People are willing to pay more for a quality product. But its a difficult thing to put into terms of money. Unless you say by improving quality we can charge more (value) or by saying by improving the quality of a particular process we can eradicate another or a check by one man over 8 hour day. Therefore saving on the wage. Improving a manual job by implementing an automated job which gives a better quality output and therefore you can determine a pay back period for the machine by removing the workers. When the payback is complete you can determine a saving in terms of wages and potentially time and transfer this into money minus the machine overheads i.e. running cost and maintenance for instance.
Hope this helps
Martin
I am agree with Martin Mckie. You need to declare a neutral value for Likert scale, and consider the possibility of NO ANSWER, because some expert could no answer some question in the questionare.
The statistical analysis is very important too. The results of statistical analysis bring more strength and consistency to your research.
Dear Prof I agree with the answer by Martin. Use neutral value for the response too. Further statistical analysis for the results obtained through survey can be done for consistency and reliability of instrument. Good wishes,
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