Artículo 2 [Paper 2]

Mixed methods research has both advantages and disadvantages. The use of both quantitative and qualitative methods allows for the exploration of correlations between variables to test objective theories (Creswell, 2009). The mixed-method approach is not merely the use of qualitative and quantitative methods and analysing the resultant data; the two methods are used in tandem to strengthen the overall study (Creswell, 2009).

The combination of the methods enables the researcher to obtain insights regarding the research problems from various perspectives, which does not limit it to one view, broadening the scope and complexity (Bryers, Van Teijlingen, and Pitchforth, 2014).

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Advocates of mixed methods approaches to research highlight the perspective and contribution that the combination of both quantitative and qualitative worldviews brings to really developing a depth and breadth in understanding a phenomenon of interest (Venkatesh, Brown, and Bala, 2013). The use of multiple methods and triangulation of results obtained assists in the process of confirming and validating results, offering an answer to the why component of the research (Bryers, Van Teijlingen, and Pitchforth, 2014). The triangulation of results allows the researcher to source data, which is considered to be valid and trustworthy with greater credibility, as well as validity of the overall results (Creswell and Plano-Clark, 2011). The validation of findings across varying methods provides greater grounding and belief in the conclusions, since in the event of conflicting results there is greater evidence at hand to enable the researcher to adapt their interpretations and assumptions (Bryers, Van Teijlingen, and Pitchforth, 2014).

The advantage of mixed research is its ability to consider a vast spectrum of research topics as opposed to those, which quantitative or qualitative research alone can explore. Plano Clark and Badice (2010, as cited in Frels and Onwuegbuzie, 2013) identified that mixed method research is appropriate for distinct research questions where there may be multiple quantitative research questions combined with multiple qualitative questions under investigation. Further to this, general overarching mixed research questions are identified where there are wide-ranging questions covered by means of utilising the combination of quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

Hybrid mixed issue research questions refer to where there is a single question that is composed of two different components, whereby a quantitative approach is employed in the exploration of a single aspect and a qualitative method is utilised to consider the second aspect. Mixed procedural/mixing research questions refer to where there are enquiries with little scope for expansion that guide the direction, resulting in a combination of the qualitative and quantitative components. A combination of approaches to the instigation and research questions are those wherein one or more mixed research questions are merged or combined with different unrelated quantitative and qualitative questions. Research questions that are defined as independent are those wherein there are multiple research enquiries, which by their nature are connected, and each question is effectively not dependent on the outcome

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and findings of the question/questions. Dependent research questions are where there are research questions that hinge on the findings and outcomes that emerge after attending to a preceding research question. Research enquiries that are defined as predetermined are those where the interrogations are founded on previous works garnered, experience and practice, identified individual propensities, and/or disciplinary deliberations posited as the base during commencement of the research process. Lastly, research questions that are defined as emergent are those where there are adapted or new different research questions that emerge whilst in the design of the research stage, collection of the study data stage, analysis of results stage, or interpretation of results stage within the study (Frels and Onwuegbuzie, 2013). This research falls within the scope of general overarching mixed research, wherein the research questions that are broad are encapsulated through the mixed methods approach.

To experience true value from the use of mixed methods requires the researcher to have a good grasp and handle of both qualitative and quantitative research, as this expands the researcher’s scope of available methods and reduces bias, whilst increasing validity of the study. It provides a thoroughness in the exploration of the research problem, making the results more convincing and enhancing each of the methods that are used through triangulation (Bryers, Van Teijlingen, and Pitchforth, 2014).

As with all methods there are limitations in using mixed methods. A first limitation is the time, energy and effort required in the study to collate, analyse and validate two data sources in quantitative and qualitative data, requiring greater work and effort than when using one approach (Venkatesh et al., 2013). Further disadvantages of mixed methods research are that resources such as time and money, which may be limited to begin with, become further divided into different methods. The converse is that mixed methods research may be costlier and require greater time and effort. It also poses a lost opportunity to rather conduct a single large study with one focused methodology in order to gain greater depth either qualitatively or quantitatively, as opposed to both (Bryers, Van Teijlingen, and Pitchforth, 2014). In relation to combining analysed data from both methods, this is often not well executed, and may hence pose a lost opportunity to producing good findings. In the mixed methods research process

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differing philosophies underpin different processes, which will need to be practically overcome as these assumptions impact on the data collection process, how data is analysed and resultant interpretations (Bryers, Van Teijlingen, and Pitchforth, 2014).

Throughout the research process the researcher employed ethical practices, which are presented next.

4.9. Ethical considerations

Ethical considerations refer to the guidelines, requirements, and minimum established norms to create a certain standard in the process of conducting research. It relates to methods, communication, documentation, procedure, and views in deciding how this research was conducted, shared, analysed, and communicated.

Key ethical considerations relate to transparency of the process and maintaining confidentiality. The first point of consideration to ensure that the research was conducted in an ethical manner was to obtain consent from the university's Ethics Committee. This ensured that the research met the university’s ethical standards and guidelines. Thereafter, informed consent was obtained from the research organisations wherein the study was conducted for both phases of the research.

In terms of the study’s participants, their informed consent was obtained for involvement in the research. To ensure informed consent, all parties were notified of the nature and purpose of the research, and what the research process would entail.

They were informed that their participation is voluntary, and that no individual would be advantaged or disadvantaged for participating or choosing not to participate in the study. They were informed that if, at any time, they become uncomfortable with the process or questions, they would not be obligated to answer them. They were informed of a contact point, should they have any questions. The questionnaire and interview respondents for the qualitative process were assured of confidentiality by facilitating anonymity by changing or omitting names in analyses and reporting on a group basis rather than on an individual basis. Throughout the research process, the researcher employed strategies to ensure quality by following the appropriate research procedures, while maintaining ethical standards and objectivity.

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138 4.10. Summary

This chapter presented methods that the research employed. Several aspects of the research methodology were discussed such as exploring various research designs that were available for consideration and what the study used. This led to a discussion of the procedure that was followed and the mixed methods nature of the research. The discussion covered a description of the research setting, organisations where access was obtained, and the nature of the research sample group and resultant participants.

The sampling method was articulated and the way in which data analysis was conducted, was confirmed. The next chapter forms an in-depth presentation of the results that were obtained from the quantitative and qualitative data analysis.

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CHAP TER 5 : Dat a Anal ysi s

The following chapter provides a detailed overview of the feedback obtained from the process of analysing the data gathered. The data analysis process was conducted in accordance with the stipulated research questions in Chapter 1, to understand how African female leaders who manage others are perceived as leaders by their peers, managers, and subordinates in the financial services industry. To support this analysis, the research questions as indicated in Chapter 1 are listed below:

 How are African female leaders from the financial services industry perceived by their subordinates, peers, and managers?

 How do African female leaders within the financial services industry perceive themselves as well as think they are perceived by others?

 Does the way in which African female leaders in the financial services industry think they are perceived by others influence their leadership style?

 Is there any significant difference in respondents’ perceptions of African female leaders, females, successful middle managers and males in the financial services industry in terms of negative and positive leadership characteristics?

The researcher went through a process of collecting raw data, both quantitatively and qualitatively. This data was then transformed into information, findings, and trends that could be utilized to respond to the stated questions above, which formed the basis of this research. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 25 formed the basis of the analysis of the statistical data analysis process to analyse the quantitative data from online and paper-based questionnaires, while the process of examination and exploration of the qualitative data took the form of thematic content analysis of the data from interviews. The analysis of data was performed to ascertain the perceptions held of African female leaders by people they have managed and people who have managed them, as well as shared perceptions of themselves as leaders from their management experience. The following section provides an explanation of the process.

PERCEPTIONS HELD TOWARDS AFRICAN FEMALE LEADERS. 2019.(MOLEKO, Zandile Sanelisiwe)

140 5.2. Explanation of data collection process

In initiating the information gathering and investigation process, the method employed was quantitative questionnaires, which sought to understand the perceptions held of African female leaders by employees within the financial services industry, this group contained perceptions of African female managers who manage others categorised as African female leaders. This was compared with perceptions of females, males, and successful middle managers. Once the quantitative data had been gathered, statistical analysis was used to understand the similarities and differences in ratings and characteristics between respondent groups. The data analysis also entailed the application of statistics of a descriptive and inferential nature in the process of analysing the data.

The second component in this data-gathering process and examination took the form of qualitative interviews. Interviews were conducted with five managers of African female leaders, five subordinates of African female leaders, and ten African female leaders from the financial services institution. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis, whereby the texts gleaned from the interviews were coded for the identification of themes and resultant analysis of trends. To understand the participant grouping, various aspects of their demographic data are reviewed.