Research Methods Exploratory Study

CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1. Research Methods

Business research is an organized, systematic, databased, critical, objective, scientific inquiry or investigation into a specific problem, undertaken with the purpose of finding answer or solution to it. Sekaran, 2004. There are several kinds of methods in the study, one of that is a qualitative research method. Qualitative methodology according to Bogdan and Taylor 1975 in Moleong 2005 is defined as a research procedure that aims to collect and analyze the descriptive data in the form of written, verbal expressions of the people and their behavior can be observed. Qualitative research is a tradition in the social scientist that is fundamentally dependent on human and their own observations and relate to these people by language and their mean. On the other hand, qualitative research is research that produces analytical procedures that do not use statistical analysis procedures or quantification of other ways. This contrasts with quantitative research that requires statistical analysis procedures. The purpose of qualitative research itself is to collect data in natural settings, which will be used to formulate the theory through inductive analysis of the data. Based on some views about qualitative research, then Moleong defines that qualitative research is research that aims to understand the phenomenon of what is experienced by research subjects such as behavior, perception, motivation, action, etc., holistically and with the way the description in the form of words and language, in a special context that naturally and by utilizing a variety of natural methods.

3.2. Exploratory Study

An exploratory study is undertaken when not much is known about the situation at hand, or when no information is available on how similar problems or research issues have been solved in the past Sekaran, 2004. In such cases, extensive preliminary work needs to be done to gain familiarity with the phenomena in the situation, and understand what is occurring, before we develop a model and set up a rigorous design for comprehensive investigation. In essence, exploratory studies are undertaken to better comprehend the nature of the problem, since very few studies might have been conducted in that area. Extensive interviews with many people might have to be undertaken to get a handle on the situation and to understand the phenomena. After obtaining a better understanding, more rigorous research can be proceed.

3.3. Study Location