PROBLEM 1 (a)
Introduction

I recommend a qualitative study for this case because I think that what is needed here is to provide the necessary context, and to identify important variables that can be used in a future quantitative study. From the description of the case, there are no clear indicators as to why the productivity of the factory was decreasing. Consequently, one would need to do an exploratory research involving direct interaction with the production engineer, supervisors and frontline workers to capture expressive information about the beliefs, values, feelings and motivations underlying their behaviours. To get insights into what is causing the problem the researcher would need to analyse information conveyed by the workers by talking to them and observing their behaviour at the factory.

Suggested data collection methods

According to the case description, the factory’s top management suspects that the decrease in productivity is due to conflicts between different levels of employees. Consequently, I suggest that data be collected using observation and interviews as these two methods will enable the researcher to gain insight into what is happening on the factory floor. By observing employees going about their work on the production line, the researcher will be able to document what is happening and this may help to identify the cause of reduced productivity. Similarly, interviewing workers, the engineer and supervisors will give the researcher an opportunity to gain some insight into the factory’s production process. Additionally, it will help shed light into changes in employees’ behaviours at the factory that may be leading to lower production.

Data collection plan

Identifying the causes of reduced productivity at the factory will require the researcher’s thoughtful reflection, thus the plan for collecting data will heavily rely on observation. Observation is a basic qualitative research technique where the researcher is the key sensor or instrument. It will be used in conjunction with interviewing so as to enable the researcher to collect information that can be used to identify core variables. This plan involves a variety of observation techniques ranging from obtrusive to unobtrusive. Participant observation will be used whereby the researcher will be immersed in the factory environment learning the process and seeing what workers do over a period of time. Another approach that will be used is nonparticipant observation where the researcher will watch and record what is happening on the factory floor.

Nonparticipant observation will primarily involve the researcher watching workers at the factory from secluded positions around the factory without directly interacting with them. Additionally, if the factory has installed closed circuit television (CCTV) the researcher utilize the footage to observe what is happening on the factory floor. As

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