Quantitative Research Process Research Articles

Pilot Study, a Neglected Part of Qualitative and Quantitative Research Process: Evidence from Selected PhD Thesis and Dissertations

Pilot Study, a Neglected Part of Qualitative and Quantitative Research Process: Evidence from Selected PhD Thesis and Dissertations

Early Children Education through Arts: Pre-school Teachers Views on Types and Frequency of Young Children Engagement in Music Education Activities in Pre-school Settings in Greece

The aim of the present study was to examine the frequency of implementing musical activities in the weekly pre-school settings program and the type of musical activities that pre-school teachers choose to implement. Factors that may influence the frequency of implementing musical activities were also investigated. In addition, some indications and changes recommended by pre-school teachers themselves, which would support and facilitate a more frequent implementation of musical activities in the pre-school setting program, were also reported.The Mixed Method Research (MMR) was preferred for this study, which is besides considered a more appropriate method for research in highly multi-factorial areas such as education. The questionnaire was preferred as a basic tool to collect the quantitative data of the study in the quantitative research process. Similarly, qualitative data were explored using the semi-structured interview as the main tool.The study results showed that the majority of the pre-school teachers performed musical activities daily (64.1%). Among the main factors that seem to influence the frequency of music activity involvement, statistically significant differences were only seen between years of service and the age of the pre-school teachers. Some of the pre-school teachers' observations that would benefit from the more frequent implementation of activities from the field of music education were the presence of music educators in the pre-school classrooms, the organization of special training seminars, and providing schools with music education materials suitable for the implementation of relevant activities. Reference was also made to the need to adjust the regulations governing the operation of pre-school settings and the curriculum of the university departments of pre-school education with more music courses.

Cities’ attractiveness factors from the perspective of digital nomads

Purpose: This paper aims to identify the factors of destination attractiveness in the opinion of the digital nomads. The data was obtained through a quantitative research process. Design/methodology/approach: The study uses a quantitative approach. The author used a method in the form of a diagnostic survey using a questionnaire tool with a proprietary scale provided to respondents on-line (CAWI). A deliberate sample selection was used based on the self-identification criterion of the respondent as a digital nomad with experience or planning a trip in this capacity soon. Findings: In order to choose a city as a destination, digital nomads are most often guided by the price level prevailing in a given place, the level of safety, and the interesting culture and identity presented by the city. Among the factors influencing the city's attractiveness, the most important were the technological facilities, accessibility, the presence of recreational areas and facilities, and the local community's attitude towards visitors. Originality/value: This paper focuses on analyzing the specificity and features of cities from the perspective of a relatively new, dynamically growing group of external recipients - digital nomads. The developed conclusions may contribute to formulating the city's marketing messages appropriately and adapting the city's offer to the digital nomad community. In addition, this paper contains the issue of preferences regarding the size of the city and the intention to use coworking spaces. 24 Keywords: digital nomads, place marketing, cities' attractiveness factors. Category of the paper: Research paper.

Addressing the gender gap in cycling: Lisbon's journey for a more inclusive cycling ecosystem

Despite significant investment towards the promotion of cycling in Lisbon, data collected reveal a substantial gender gap both in private bicycle use and in the public bike-sharing system, GIRA (around 70% are male users). To tackle this issue, the work (herein presented) consisted of an investigation to key factors underpinning the observed gender gap, knowledge that informed an action plan that aims to promote a more equal access to GIRA. Our journey included a thorough qualitative and quantitative user research process aiming at gathering gender-disaggregated data to better understand access barriers and unmet needs. We resorted to various methods such as an online survey, in-depth interviews and an immersive experience with GIRA. The exploratory phase was then followed by a set of co-creation sessions with bicycle users and non-bicycle users which was the basis of EMEL's action plan.

IMPACT OF EXCHANGE RATE ON FOREIGN TOURIST DEMAND: EVIDENCE FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

The tourism sector plays a critical role in many countries worldwide. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of the exchange rate on foreign tourist demand in 47 developing countries from 2005 to 2020. Unlike previous studies, our empirical data only includes low-income and low-middle-income countries for the quantitative research process. The Driscoll-Kraay standard errors method has been applied for the estimation. The result confirms that an increase in exchange rate leads to a higher number of international tourism arrivals in these countries. Therefore, if policymakers in these countries depreciate the value of their domestic currency, it will create a boosting effect on the number of foreign tourists. In addition, the result identified that the pollution, denoted by the carbon dioxide emissions, affected foreign tourist demand like an inverted U-shaped Kuznets curve. It implies that environmental pollution in developing countries has increased gradually which negatively influenced the demand of international travelers as well as the growth of the tourism sector. However, the quality of institutions and infrastructure in the host countries can have positive effects on the demand for international tourists. Finally, some policy implications are included for enhancing the tourist industry in developing countries.

A scale proposal for sustainable tourism in Cittaslows

The number of slow cities has reached 266 as of August 2021 throughout the world, and 18 of these cities are located in Turkey. The total number has been increasing over the years. Considering this growth, revealing the impacts of Cittaslow Movement in terms of sustainable development becomes more important. The research problem is the need for a measurement tool that would reveal the thoughts and opinions of local people living in slow cities in order to determine the economic, social, and environmental impacts. Within this context, the purpose of this study is to develop a scale to measure environmental, social, and economic impacts of Cittaslow Movement on local people. Accordingly, the exploratory sequential design, one of the mixed methods is used, where qualitative and quantitative research processes are conducted, respectively. Therefore, in-depth interviews were conducted with 8 participants in the qualitative phase of this study. Data were collected from 9 different slow cities via the scale form developed based on the codes obtained at the qualitative phase. The data were analyzed through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, respectively. At the end of this study, a scale containing 40 statements and 8-factor structure, was developed.

Consumption Behavior Prediction Based on Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithm

Consumption behavior prediction reveals customer attributes, personal preferences, and intrinsic laws. Organizations would benefit from knowing further about customer needs and business desires by monitoring client behavior to provide more precise recommendations and boost acquisition rates. The economics of the customer, buyer groupings, and product quality are only a few of the numerous variables that influence customer behavior. The key issue that has to be resolved at this time is how to filter out useful information from these vast amounts of data to forecast customer behavior. For customer consumption behavior prediction and analysis with an advanced quantitative research process, we proposed the multiobjective evolutionary algorithm, which significantly boosts the accuracy of consumption behavior predictions. The dataset is initially gathered based on consumer preferences and behaviors as the essential information for the entire prediction model. Min-max normalization is used as a component of the preprocessing of the data to get the elimination of redundant and superfluous data. The Word2vec model is utilized for feature extraction, and boosted ant colony optimization (BACO) is employed to choose the best features. Utilizing the suggested multiobjective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA), the predictions are made. The suggested system’s performance is assessed, and the metrics are contrasted with more established methods. The findings demonstrate that the suggested MOEA technique performs well than the traditional ML, XGB, AI, and HNB algorithm methods in terms of accuracy (95 percent), quality of prediction (97 percent), precision (99 percent), recall (93 percent), F 1 -score (98 percent), and prediction time (50 seconds). Hence, the outcomes show that the regression model is sustainable. The suggested consumption behavior prediction system has demonstrated its efficiency in boosting profitability.

Exploring the Positive User Experience Possibilities Based on Product Emotion Theory: A Beverage Unmanned Retail Terminal Case.

Since the last century, user experience has been regarded as a key concept in the process of product and service design. With the development of positive psychology, the transformation from negative to positive user experience has also taken place in the field of user experience; it emphasizes exploring the future possibility of positive user experience rather than just solving existing problems. Based on the research and analysis of existing literature, this study makes it clear that positive user experience research should be based on the “positive experience,” and arousing a positive emotion is conducive to improving positive user experience. On this basis, the product emotion theory is applied to the analysis process of “positive experience.” Through word frequency screening, thematic analysis, and correlation calculation, the relationship between product stimulus (object, activity, and identity) and user concern (goal, attitude, and standard) based on positive “user comments” is constructed, and positive user experience is understood from multiple levels. Based on the comment score, the positive user experience interval is divided in order to clarify the improvement direction. Finally, taking the “Angel Orange” unmanned retail terminal as an example, this study carried out an empirical analysis. As an exploratory study, this study can provide some insights into the quantitative research process of positive user experience design that evokes positive emotions from a user’s “positive experience” story.

The Role of Competitive Advantage on Value Creation: A Study of Mobile Telecommunication Network Operations in Rivers State, Nigeria

This study examined the role of competitive advantage (differentiation strategy) on value creation. The population of the research is made up of 7(seven) operational mobile telecommunications network operators in Rivers State, Nigeria. The research adopted the quantitative research process with the use of a questionnaire. The data from the questionnaire were analyzed using tables, percentages and the spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to test the correlation between the research variables. From the analysis it was shown that 78.8% of network managers accepted that differentiation strategy influences the value creation of telecommunications network operators in Rivers State, Nigeria with a coefficient correlation (r) of 0.9995 indicating that a strong relationship exists between differentiation strategy and value creation. The study recommends that the executive management of these firms should put additional emphasis and pay more attention to differentiation strategy, as it is an important instrument for achieving competitive advantage which could lead to greater organizational performance and value creation in their organizations. Keywords: Competitive Advantage, Differentiation Strategy and Value Creation. DOI: 10.7176/NCS/13-03 Publication date: May 31 st 2022

Uses and Practices of Computer Application in Demographic Research Regarding Nepal

The computer was used to model, simulate and analyze social phenomena in the research. This study aims to analyze the uses of computer software in demographic research in Nepal. Information was gathered from secondary sources from reports of GOs and NGOs, manuals and guidelines of various software packages. Information was taken from the United Nations software package, World Health Organization, United Nations Population Funds and software package of the U.S. Census Bureau. Other’s information was taken from the National Housing and Census and Demographic Health Survey of Nepal. To achieve the objective of this study data are analysed in a descriptive method. This study has focused on computer software mainly SPSS, Mort Park, CS Pro, and STATA. The roles of computer have been helpful in quantitative research. Its role is also important when the research is on a large sample. The computer assists the researcher throughout different phases in the quantitative research process. The major five phases of the research process are the conceptual phase, design and planning phase, empirical phase, analytic phase, and dissemination phase. The use of computer software is helpful in data entry, data editing, and data management. The data analysis software is supportive of processing and manipulating information and analyzing the relationship between variables. Therefore, the use of computer software can save money, time, and resources in research. In the case of Nepal, the Integrated Microcomputer Processing System (IMPS) was in the census in 1991. STATA and SPSS software packages were used for data editing, management, and tabulation of the census results. Open Data Kit platform and CAPI was used for data collection and the CS Pro software was used for data management in various demographic studies in Nepal.

Online seminars in statistics for doctoral students: A case study

The Doctorate in Professional Practice (DProf) programme at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) provides a means for practitioners in a range of professions to undertake research, and achieve doctoral status, whilst maintaining their professional roles. The programme is generic, covering a wide range of professional backgrounds, though most are allied to the social sciences. Students on the programmes are generally mature individuals, senior in their fields, from across the world. They have significant expertise in their professional fields, but often have limited understanding of quantitative research processes, including the use of statistics. This deficit is addressed via a module in Quantitative Research delivered via a series of seven online seminars utilising meeting/webinar applications. Though the use of online technology has become commonplace since the advent of COVID19, its use as a means of delivering a series of discursive, problem-orientated statistics seminars for small groups of students is innovative. Also, learners are required to undertake specific reading and viewing of videos before each seminar so that they become acquainted with key points in advance. During seminars, students discuss specific topics, participate in problem-solving, and learn how to use software for statistical tests. Screensharing permits real-time observation of the use of software. At the end of the seminar series, students are provided with at least one individual online tutorial so that specific issues can be addressed. This Case Study examined learners’ views of the Quantitative Research module by means of dialogic interviews. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts indicated that the use of an online seminar series to deliver the module was viewed positively by learners. They particularly appreciated the social aspects of the seminars which helped to remove fears and encourage participation. Understanding was enhanced by viewing short videos before and after the seminars, and by activities during the sessions. This innovative way of teaching statistics appears to have been effective in equipping DProf candidates with the statistical knowledge and skills required to undertake their Part 2 research.

Fatigue crack growth characterization of re-treaded tire rubber

Tire re-treading is a re-manufacturing process to tread on tire’s casing. The performance of the re-treaded tire is studied with the qualitative and quantitative research process. From safety point of view, it is very cruical to establish some standard on retreaded tires there are several causes of tire tread failure and no standards are currently in existance therefore the motivation behind this research is to establish a model for fatigue crack growth rate (CGR) prediction for retreaded tire rubber. The progressive simulation model is built to explore the relationship between tearing energy and CGR of the specimen in retreaded tire rubber. An analytical approach is used to check that retreaded tires obey the power-law between tearing energy and fatigue crack growth rate. Testing of the tire rubber specimen from belt edge area is performed for different strains rates. The De Mattia fatigue tester system is used to test the rate of crack growth in a relaxed state in rubber specimens (R = 0).Large volume of data is gathered through testing and regression analysis is done to get the value of the coefficient of determination (R 2 ).This proves that there is a strong correlation between tearing energy and CGR .Results of SPSS simulation also agree with the experimental testing results with less than five percent deviation .CGR in retreaded tire rubber compared with CGR in new tire rubber shows CGRin retreaded titr rubber is significantly higher than that in new tire rubber.Tearing energy decreases moderately however crack grows fast.The findings of this research can be used to improve the quality of the product by small tire retreaders and also useful to policy makers.

Computer simulation of hyper elastic re-treaded tire rubber with ABAQUS

Tire re-treading is a re-manufacturing process to tread on casing tires. The performance of the re-treaded tire is studied with qualitative and quantitative research process. Since re-treaded tire rubber reveals some special properties like hyper elasticity, it is a very challenging task to simulate the actual performance of the retreaded tire rubber. In this paper, the simulation of hyper elastic property of re-treaded tire rubber is successfully completed with the help of finite element (FEM). Material specimens are taken from belt edge area of the retreaded truck tire. To evaluate the coefficient of hyper elastic strain energy function, uniaxial and planar tension test are conducted. The measured outcomes are compared and only stable model are selected. Yeoh and Arruda-Boyce models were stable. A case study of different size specimen and at different strain are performed where rubber specimen is taken from same belt edge area. The graphs are plotted from the .odb file between stress and deformation of retreaded tire rubber. The same graphs are validated with the lab tested readings. To explore the relation between stress and specimen deformation, a progressive simulation model has been developed. Statistical methods are used to validate the research question; Does hyper elasticity of retreaded tire impact its behavioral quality? Regression analysis is conducted to find out the correlations between stress and deformation of rubber specimen. The value of coefficient of determination (R2) is very close to (1) so it is proved that there is correlation between them. Results obtained are promising to predict the behavior of re-treaded tire rubber. The findings can be used to improve the product and its utility in small tire re-treaders, customers and policymakers.

Coaching research in 2020 – About destinations, journeys and travelers (Part II)

After Part I of Coaching Research in 2020 (Graf & Dionne, 2021a) summarised research on the destination(s) of coaching in the context of quantitative psychological outcome research, Part II will look beyond outcomes and effectiveness. It calls for more research on the coaching process itself, that is, on the journey of coaching and its travelers. To this end, we first explore the different research foci in the change-process research paradigm of coaching (Wegener et al. (Eds.), 2018). Next, the paper argues for the necessity to engage more in qualitative process research to carve out how coach and client locally, that is, on the conversational micro-level, interact with each other on a moment-to-moment basis along individual coaching sessions and entire coaching processes. We introduce qualitative linguistic coaching process research (Graf, 2015, 2018, 2019). This research paradigm addresses the coaching micro-level und investigates how the local effectiveness of coaching emerges from the turn-by-turn verbal interaction between coach and client on the basis of the sequentiality and the intersubjectivity of the coaching conversation. While coaching research and practice will benefit immensely from such an in-depth, qualitative linguistic analysis of authentic coaching interaction, this paper ends with a call for research that addresses and relates both the global effectiveness and the interaction of coaching. The TSPP (Turn–Sequence–Phase–Process) Model (Deplazes et al., 2018), which integrates concepts from quantitative psychological outcome research and qualitative linguistic process research, is presented. This model also allows for relating coaching effectiveness and interaction. The TSPP Model also underlies a very recent interdisciplinary, mixed-methods research project on questioning sequences in coaching (Graf, Spranz-Fogasy & Künzli, 2020), which will be briefly sketched out in the final part.

Fuzzy domain and meta-heuristic algorithm-based collision avoidance control for ships: Experimental validation in virtual and real environment

Collisions at sea are frequently caused by human-related factors, such as; manoeuvre timing mistakes, risk assessment failures and deficiencies in strategies for collision avoidance. These factors reveal the importance of the automation systems in providing safety of navigation. Thus, a decision support system was developed in this study that can be a reference to the ship operators in the implementation of the collision avoidance action, in case of an encounter situation involving risk of collision. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were conducted in the study. In the qualitative research process, the variable constraints in the mathematical model and the inputs of the scenarios implemented in experiments were determined based on the findings obtained from experts’ interviews. In the quantitative research process, the problem-solution was reached with the developed algorithm (ColAv_GA), which is formed based on the Genetic Algorithm and Fuzzy Logic. The developed algorithm was validated in a virtual environment using a bridge simulator, and in a real environment with an autonomous surface vehicle (ASV), with satisfactory results. The output of this research is expected to contribute to the safety of navigation. The developed algorithm can be used as a collision avoidance sub-module for autonomous ships and ASV.

CUSTOMER PREFERENCES ON COFFEE SHOP CONSUMPTIONS: A CONCEPTUAL MODEL

The aim of this study is to discuss the difference in motivation in coffee consumption and awareness of its effect on peoples. For this research, we will conduct a past literature review made from 23 papers that are being synthesized. The analysis of the literature found that customer preferences influencing coffee purchases are: Taste, product design, ambiance, brand influence, location accessibility, and price are the most customer preferences on their purchasing of coffee. These preferences will determine the choices of customers in choosing a coffee shop to make a purchase and will determine any differences in the purchasing power of coffee. The limitation of this research is that this research only studies customers’ preferences for coffee shops. The findings of this study will be useful for the stakeholders, coffee shop owners, and coffee shop consumers in different areas of Jakarta. In the future, the qualitative and quantitative research process can be conducted to reconfirm and to improve the findings of this paper.

VALIDATE? VERIFY? DO NOT MOVE? ABOUT NON-STATISTICAL, SCHOLASTIC AND QUANTITATIVE METHODS OF QUANTITATIVE DATA STORYTELLING

The article deals with the quality of data obtained in the quantitative research process. The authors decided to raise the subject, because in the Polish political science – in the opposition to sociology – it’s not well described. The text was made mainly on the basis of a literature review devoted to particular parts of the article and is its synthesis. During the work it was discovered that thanks to relatively simple tools, as well as the use of some programs the quality of the data set can be checked in a simple and precise way.

Linearity vs. Circularity? On Some Common Misconceptions on the Differences in the Research Process in Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Methodological discussions often oversimplify by distinguishing between ‘the’ quantitative and ‘the’ qualitative paradigm and arguing that quantitative research processes are organized in a linear, deductive way while qualitative research processes are organized in a circular and inductive way. When comparing two selected quantitative traditions (survey research and big data research) with three qualitative research traditions (qualitative content analysis, grounded theory and social-science hermeneutics), a much more complex picture is revealed: The only differentiation that can be upheld is how of ‘objectivity’ and ‘intersubjectivity’ are defined. In contrast, all research traditions agree that partiality is endangering intersubjectivity and objectivity. Countermeasures are self-reflexion and transforming partiality into perspectivity by using social theory. Each research tradition suggests further countermeasures such as falsification, triangulation, parallel coding, theoretical sensitivity and interpretation groups. When looking at the overall organization of the research process, the distinction between qualitative and quantitative research cannot be uphold. Neither is it a continuum between quantitative research, content analysis, grounded theory and social-science hermeneutics. Rather, grounded theory starts inductively and with a general research question at beginning of analysis which is focused during selective coding. The later research process is organized in a linear way, making strong use of theoretical sampling. All other traditions start research deductively and formulate the research question as precisely as possible at the beginning of the analysis and then organize the overall research process in a linear way. In contrast, data analysis is organized in a circular way. One consequence of this paper is that mixing and combining qualitative and quantitative methods becomes both easier (because the distinction is not as grand as it seems at first sight) and more difficult (because some tricky issues of mixing specific to mixing specific type of methods are usually not addressed in mixed methods discourse).

Compensation systems attributes and teachers performance: Mediating effect of Psychological contract fulfillment

Higher education institutions (HEIs) play a role in building a knowledge economy, but doing so requires dedicated, well-educated and well-performing teachers, so teachers' performance (TP) has become an issue for developing countries. This research evaluates the impact of compensation system schemes on teachers' performance in the universities of Pakistan in order to explain the mediating role of psychological contract fulfilment (PCF). A nationwide survey of 52 HEIs in Pakistan was conducted using the random sampling probability technique. After the data collection, mediation was checked using quantitative research methods, including correlation, regression, multiple mediation, and process. This study analyses the importance of psychological contract fulfilment in mediating the relationship between compensation systems attributes (CSAs) and teachers' performance and suggests that psychological contract fulfilment mediates the relationship between compensation system attributes and teachers' performance. This study confirms and extends existing empirical evidence concerning the basis of the CSAs-PCF-TP relationships. The current study helps higher-education authorities and other policymakers to realign their compensation systems to create stronger relationships between compensation and psychological contract fulfilment to teacher's performance, which will help them to attain their sustainable development plans.

An evaluation instrument and strategy implications of service attributes in LOHAS restaurants

PurposeThis study aims to develop a comprehensive LOHAS (lifestyles of health and sustainability) restaurant service quality scale by using a rigorous qualitative and quantitative research process to effectively measure the service quality of LOHAS restaurants. Moreover, this study aims to further identify the Kano quality characteristics and strategic meanings of service attributes in LOHAS restaurants.Design/methodology/approachThis study designed the preliminary items of the service quality scale for LOHAS restaurants (LORSERV scale) based on relevant literatures and expert interview procedures. This study identified the goodness of fit of the questionnaire content, construct validity and validity of the LORSERV scale using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. The moderated regression was conducted to identify the Kano quality characteristics and strategic meanings of each service attribute in LOHAS restaurants.FindingsThe results indicated that the LORSERV scale included seven dimensions (internal sense of happiness, transitiveness, environment, healthy catering, service commitment, green practicability and thoughtfulness), for a total of 33 items. According to the results of the Kano model, the seven service attributes were categorized into the attractive quality. A total of 25 service attributes were categorized into the one-dimensional quality, and one service attribute was categorized into the must-be quality.Originality/valueThe contribution of this study is that the scale could facilitate operators of LOHAS restaurants to effectively understand customer perceptions of service quality and serve as a reference to upgrade and improve service quality. The identification of Kano quality characteristics for each service attribute is conducive for LOHAS restaurants to understand the strategic meanings of each service attribute and can serve as a reference to make distinctive service strategies to reach sustainable operations.