CHAPTER 3 Reward systems
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1. INTRODUCTION
The aim of this chapter is to explain, justify and account for the research methodology that has been selected in this study. In conducting the investigation, the researcher intends to proceed from a quantitative-descriptive design. A number of issues related to the research methodology will be extensively discussed below.
3.2. METHODICAL ACCOUNT (RESEARCH: QUANTITATIVE-DESCRIPTIVE)
Thyer as cited by De Vos and Fouché (1998: 77), defines a research design as a "blueprint or detailed plan for how a research study is to be conducted ? operationalizing variables so they can be measured, selecting a sample of interest to study; collecting data to be used as a basis for testing hypotheses, and analyzing the results." Hussey and Hussey (1997: 54), also point out that research methodology refers to the overall approach evident in the research process from the theoretical foundation to the strategies that are used in the collection and analysis of the data. So research methodology can be said to indicate the answers to questions as to how research should be designed, structured, approached and executed.
In this study, the researcher has opted to conduct his investigation through the quantitative-descriptive paradigm. A randomised cross-sectional survey design will be used to investigate attitudes of employees with regard to reward systems. According to De Vos and Fouché (1998: 127), the randomized cross-sectional design is written as follows:
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