of words generated by interviews or observational data. For the purpose of this project, a combination of both quantitative and qualitative research techniques was used. This is known as the pluralistic research approach. An in-depth interview, which is an exploratory qualitative technique, was carried out with the HR Manager at Rogers Aviation. On the other hand, cross- sectional studies have been used to measure the staff's perception of performance management by means of surveys.
Planning a Sample
After deciding about an appropriate design, sample planning can then be carried out. Sampling is concerned with any process that involves a small subset of population to formulate inferences about the entire population.
4.1.3.1 Population
It is the whole group of people that a researcher requires data on. A good sample generates results that have characteristics which are similar to the entire population.
4.1.3.2 Sampling Frame
It is a complete list of potential members of the population that the researcher wants to study. This should ideally be equal to the population.
4.1.3.4 Sample
The sample is the part of the population that is in fact studied to gather information.
For the purpose of this project, a census study was performed whereby data was collected from each member of the population. This implies that all employees working at Rogers Aviation would be surveyed as the entire population is sufficiently small. Hence my sample frame was equal to my population and the sample size was 116 employees.
Gathering the data
This is actually the stage where the survey instrument, that is the finalized questionnaire, is used to collect information from the selected sample.
Data collection method
The two main sources of data available are primary and secondary data. Primary data are gathered specifically to help to solve the actual problem, whereas secondary data are assembled for some uses other than helping to solve the existing problem. For the purpose of this study, a combination of both primary and secondary data has been used.
There exist three fundamental techniques of primary data collection which are survey, observation and experiment. Specifically for the purpose of this study, primary data was vital as information. The data was gathered through survey exercises by means of questionnaires and in-depth interviews.
There exist two primary means of secondary data collection: internal sources and external sources. Internal sources refer to information such as archives and records of the company, while external sources refer to books and journals. For the assemblage of the literature review and company profile, secondary data was used. The latter was mainly obtained from books, journals, the organization's own internal information system and internet sources.
Contact methods
The survey research is more suitable to gather the data required for this study. Both personal interviewing and drop-off technique have been used. The in-depth interview offers opportunities for clarifying questions and helps to eliminate uncertainties in feedbacks. A personal interview was thus conducted with the HR Manager to obtain current relevant information, while the employees had to fill the questionnaires by themselves at home due to time constraint at work.
