Research Methodology
1. Introduction
In this chapter, the methodology that was used to carry out the study is discussed.
Section 2 of this chapter offers an overview of the method and rationale behind the choice. In
the third section, the study population is discussed and the method used in inviting the
participants to participate in the study. In section 4, the procedures that were undertaken
during the data collection process are outlined. The fifth section describes the development of
questionnaires and the scales that were adopted. It also describes the items of measuring the
constructs that were selected and developed. The last section of the chapter includes a
conclusion of the whole methodology.
2. Methodology
The research questions were investigated through a qualitative method of data collection
and analysis. The researcher used web-based surveys to collect data from willing participants.
Since the target population is among a generation that is well conversant with the use of web-
based communication, this method of data collection was appropriate. Considering that
project managers and team members most likely interact with virtual projects and
experimentation models, it was projected that the Internet, computers and email
communication are part of their every day lives. The target population were the project
managers who already have hands on experience with traditional working environments and
team interactions. It was projected that the study would yield some project managers who
value trust among their teams and those who do not care whether their team members trust
each other or not.
3. Participants
, The study targeted project managers who valued trust in their teams and those who do not.
Most of the participants obtained from consulting LinkedIn profiles and sending requests to
participate via email messages. This platform was chosen because it is the only place where
project leaders and managers who are technologically enlightened and can use computers,
internet and email communication can be found easily. It was explained to the target
participants that the research was geared towards improving project management and
ensuring project success. This study had the advantage of being appropriate in collecting data
within a very small timeframe and ensuring social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic.
4. Data Collection Procedure
The primary data collection method was selected to be survey due to the fact that the
researcher intended to interact with project managers in a time when conducting research in a
controlled setting would take too much time and pose a challenge in maintaining social
distancing. The use of survey data collection is most useful in situations where the
researchers are concerned with collecting data about behavior aspects that are challenging to
observe. Interactions and communication processes that take place within project teams and
between the project manager and his or her teams are not easy to observe or would take too
much time to monitor and record usable data. Consequently, the study did not make use of
direct observation but rather inferences were made about trust within project teams from the
data collected. The results from the survey were representative of the larger project
management population, much more than it would have been if a case study had been chosen
as the research method. Survey research technique provide the benefit of collecting large
amounts of data given the right conditions. Surveys are also much easier to administer.
Surveys also have some limitations. One of such limitations is poor return rates
considering that it is challenging to reach the desired number of respondents and convincing
1. Introduction
In this chapter, the methodology that was used to carry out the study is discussed.
Section 2 of this chapter offers an overview of the method and rationale behind the choice. In
the third section, the study population is discussed and the method used in inviting the
participants to participate in the study. In section 4, the procedures that were undertaken
during the data collection process are outlined. The fifth section describes the development of
questionnaires and the scales that were adopted. It also describes the items of measuring the
constructs that were selected and developed. The last section of the chapter includes a
conclusion of the whole methodology.
2. Methodology
The research questions were investigated through a qualitative method of data collection
and analysis. The researcher used web-based surveys to collect data from willing participants.
Since the target population is among a generation that is well conversant with the use of web-
based communication, this method of data collection was appropriate. Considering that
project managers and team members most likely interact with virtual projects and
experimentation models, it was projected that the Internet, computers and email
communication are part of their every day lives. The target population were the project
managers who already have hands on experience with traditional working environments and
team interactions. It was projected that the study would yield some project managers who
value trust among their teams and those who do not care whether their team members trust
each other or not.
3. Participants
, The study targeted project managers who valued trust in their teams and those who do not.
Most of the participants obtained from consulting LinkedIn profiles and sending requests to
participate via email messages. This platform was chosen because it is the only place where
project leaders and managers who are technologically enlightened and can use computers,
internet and email communication can be found easily. It was explained to the target
participants that the research was geared towards improving project management and
ensuring project success. This study had the advantage of being appropriate in collecting data
within a very small timeframe and ensuring social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic.
4. Data Collection Procedure
The primary data collection method was selected to be survey due to the fact that the
researcher intended to interact with project managers in a time when conducting research in a
controlled setting would take too much time and pose a challenge in maintaining social
distancing. The use of survey data collection is most useful in situations where the
researchers are concerned with collecting data about behavior aspects that are challenging to
observe. Interactions and communication processes that take place within project teams and
between the project manager and his or her teams are not easy to observe or would take too
much time to monitor and record usable data. Consequently, the study did not make use of
direct observation but rather inferences were made about trust within project teams from the
data collected. The results from the survey were representative of the larger project
management population, much more than it would have been if a case study had been chosen
as the research method. Survey research technique provide the benefit of collecting large
amounts of data given the right conditions. Surveys are also much easier to administer.
Surveys also have some limitations. One of such limitations is poor return rates
considering that it is challenging to reach the desired number of respondents and convincing
