Estudio del valor pronóstico de la escala PATHS

Research design is the meaningful sequence of linkages between the research questions, data collection, and, finally to the conclusions upon presentation and the discussion of relevant analyses and findings. In other words, a research design will assist the researcher to answer the research questions and achieve the aim of the study.

This research was designed to conduct the sequence of procedures as summarised in the

97 flow chart of Figure 3.1. The steps include: literature review, research design, data collection, data analysis, and conclusions.

Preliminary Literature

Research problem definition Theory exploration

* Questions * Theoretical framework

* Objectives * Model construction

* Hypotheses

Sampling (In-depth interview) Sampling (Survey)

Semi-structure questions Questionnaire development

Pilot study Questionnaire refinement

Conduct interviews Data collection (Fieldwork)

Data editing and coding Data editing and coding

Qualitative analysis Construct development Quantitative analysis

* Content Analysis and enhancement * Reliability Test

* Push & Pull Motivations * EFA

* CFA

* Transnational Behaviour * SEM Selection of basic research methods

* In-depth interview

* Survey by questionnaire

Results and findings interpretation Conclusion and recommendations LiteratureReviewResearch DesignData CollectioinData AnalysisConclusion

Figure 3.1: The Research Process Flow Chart

There are two phases in this study. The first phase of the field research is to conduct in-depth interviews with MM2H participants of different nationalities. The study expects to discover new push and pull motivations and transnational behaviour

98 attributes in relation to the study participants. The interviews would include enquiries on challenges encountered by the participants while retiring in Malaysia. This can deepen the understanding of specific elements contributing to the overall retirees’

satisfactions. The advantages and disadvantages of in-depth interviews as set out by Cavana et al. (2008, p. 151) and Malhotra (2007, p. 155) are summarised in Table 3.2.

Table 3.2: Advantages and Disadvantages of In-Depth Interview Method

Advantages Disadvantages

In-depth interviews can expose more depth of insights than focus groups. interviewers able to conduct in-depth interviews.

In-depth interviews expose a free exchange of information, unlike focus groups, because there is no social pressure to match group answers.

The lack of structure makes the results subject to the interviewer’s influence; the quality and comprehensiveness of the results rely much on the interviewer’s skills.

The researcher can adapt the questions when needed, explain doubts and make sure that the responses are accurately understood by repeating and rephrasing the questions.

The difficulty of analysing and interpreting the data obtained require skilled psychologists.

Qualitative research is preferable in this study as the researcher can answer the question of ‘why’ and ‘how’ of a certain existing phenomenon in the real world, particularly when the researcher has little control over situations (Remenyi et al., 1998).

Dimensions and items derived from the qualitative study and the existing literatures will form the base of the second phase study (quantitative).

99 The second stage involves systematic data gathering from a group of relevant respondents (Remenyi et al., 1998). It enables the researcher to understand and/or predict some aspect of the interests in the population. Primary data gathering will be carried out by survey through a questionnaire (Tull & Hawkins, 1987). In the survey method, respondents are expected to provide their facts and thoughts that can represent their attitudes, awareness, behaviour, intentions, motivations, demographic and lifestyle aspects (Malhotra, 2007, p. 175). Questionnaires and structured interviews are the common tools used in the social sciences survey. Collected data are to describe and explain certain action, and to analyse the relationships between distinct variables through hypotheses testing (Burton, 2000). Integration with other qualitative methods (e.g. in-depth interview, structured observation, photo elicitation, focus group, phenomenology, and others) can enhance the understanding of a specific phenomenon (Bryman & Bell, 2007, p. 56).

There are four key modes to administer the data collection using questionnaire method: personal interviews, telephone interviews, mail interviews, and electronic interviews via e-mail or the internet that includes social networks. As depicted from Table 3.3, based on Malhotra (2007, p. 175), it presents the advantages and disadvantages of survey research.

Surveys are particularly useful and appropriate to gather data in the following three conditions (Bryman and Bell, 2007):

1) When the research objectives require quantitative data.

2) When the researcher has sufficient prior knowledge of certain issues and the variety of responses likely to occur.

3) When the information sought is logically precise and well known to the respondents.

100 Table 3.3: Advantages and Disadvantages of Survey Research

Advantages Disadvantages

The questionnaire is easy to manage. Choosing the precise words of questions is not simple.

The data gathered are trustworthy because the responses are limited to the alternatives stated.

Structured questions and fixed-response alternatives may affect the validity of particular data, such as feelings and beliefs.

The variation in the results that may be caused by differences in interviewers could be reduced because of using fixed-response questions.

Respondents may be incapable or unwilling to give the required information, especially if the information requested is sensitive or private.

Analysis, coding, and interpretation of data obtained are quite straightforward.

The seriousness or honesty of responses may not be feasible to check.

Question wording may have a major effect on responses.

Misunderstandings cannot be detected and corrected.

Survey research has its own disadvantages and is criticised for its usability and biases. However, it is by far the most used tool in marketing research for primary data (Malhotra, 2007).