Supuestos Teóricos

Saunders et al. ( ) define a research method as a way for a study

researcher to collect, analyse and interpret data or as a way for creating a design for research. A research design can depend, however, upon whether the research questions are descriptive or explanatory, and the process has to ensure that the research question may be clearly addressed. It is necessary to determine what would be considered relevant evidence so that convincing data can be acquired that tests a theory, depicts a phenomena or answers a research question effectively (Bryman and Bell, ). Rather than addressing

a logistical problem, the research design can be thought of as addressing a logical one (Yin, ). Builders have a design for structures and, prior to commencement of work, a plan is formulated and decisions are made over the tools needed and the materials used, depending on building use and need of future occupiers. Likewise, when conducting research of management and business, there is a need for the meaningful selection of tools, such as the sample for research, appropriate data collection techniques and analysis procedures, which should complement the research question and the need for suitable evidence (Saunders et al., ). It is often the case that researchers

deliver questionnaires or conduct interviews prior to due consideration for the data that is actually required for convincing answers to the research questions. Without consideration at an early stage within the research design, there is a likeliness that the results of research will be weak and unable to answer the research questions adequately (Creswell, ). Therefore, it is vital to consider

Figure : Research structure

Introduction

Set the context of the research, aims and

objectives and statement of the problem

Literature Review

Talent Management in the Public Sector in

UAE- the case of AD Police

Methodology & Methods

Interviews Semi-Structured Interview output Interview analysis Questionnaires Questionnaire output Statistical analysis

Mixed analysis and Discussion

Findings

Conclusions, Limitations and

Recommendations Data Collection

Phase No. : Qualitative methods were used within the first phase, using semi-

structured interviews for the exploration and examination of opinions regarding the importance of the development of programmes for TM at the Abu Dhabi Police Department.

Phase No. : Within the second phase of questionnaire scaling, the researcher

followed particular steps to construct and develop a questionnaire that could be considered valid and reliable. Using an approach that was quantitative, a questionnaire survey was used to identify the degree of readiness for the implementation of programmes for TM at the Abu Dhabi Police Department.

Research strategy

The strategy behind a piece of research is the plan that, in general, a researcher aims to use to help them find the answer to a research question. Having a research strategy entails having a procedure in place to achieve a specific, intermediary objective of the research, such as sampling or the collection or analysis of data (Saunders et al., ). Yin ( c: ) defined a

research strategy as: “A logical plan for getting from here to there, where here may be defined as the initial set of questions to be answered, and there is some set of conclusions (answers) about these questions”.

As Cresswell ( ) makes clear, a research strategy acts as an inclusive plan

for the researcher, enabling him/her to answer research questions and satisfy the research aims and objectives. Each design could, in theory, be used for exploratory, explanatory or descriptive research; however attributing strategies to a particular approach is rather simplistic (Saunders et al., ). The various

aspects of research design have been highlighted by numerous authors, and it is thought of as a very important stage towards the start of a research project agenda. The design of the general research plan should be so that the empirical study has a direct relation to the research problem in theory and so an appropriate strategy for the research has a key bearing on the whole research process (Easterby et al., ; Collis and Hussey, ; Creswell, ). The research strategy should indicate the objectives of the research, highlight the data collection needs and the resources needed and give an estimate of the research limitations, as well as outline the consideration that the researcher has given to the choice of approach (Creswell, ). There needs to be an emphasis upon employing appropriate strategies for particular research questions and objectives, without considering them as mutually exclusive. Five research strategy types for methods of research for management and business were categorised by Yin ( ) and are contained in Table below.

Table : Different research strategies and relevant situations for them

Strategy Form of research

Question

Requires control

over behavioural events

Focuses on contemporary events

Experiment How, why Yes Yes

Survey Who, what,

where, how many, how much No Yes Archival analysis Who, what, where, how many, how much No Yes/No

History How, why No No

Case study How, why No Yes

Types of research strategy

Classifications of research have been shown by Collis and Hussey ( ) as being analytical, explanatory, descriptive and exploratory. Yin ( a) states

that the research purposes within a research strategy are explanatory, exploratory and descriptive.