Research

1 Understand how to formulate a research specification...........................................................3

1.1 Topic of the research........................................................................................................3
1.2 Background of the research..............................................................................................3
1.3 Aims of the research.........................................................................................................3
1.4 Objectives of the research................................................................................................3
1.5 Research Question............................................................................................................3
1.6 Variables to be assessed....................................................................................................3
1.7 Data nature and information.............................................................................................3
1.8 Kind of research that is applicable for this sort of research.............................................4
Chosen method from the above options.............................................................................4
1.9 Limitations and scope of the research..............................................................................4
1.10 Causes for the choice of aim, objective and research question......................................4
1.11 Time Setting and milestones..........................................................................................4
1.12 Ethical considerations in the research............................................................................5
1.13 Review of the Literature.................................................................................................5
2 Research Action and Implementation.....................................................................................6
2.1 Methodology of the research............................................................................................6
2.2 Validity and reliability of research design........................................................................6
2.3 Sources of data and information......................................................................................6
2.4 Required tools for the acquisition of data and information..............................................6
2.5 Data collection and Sampling..........................................................................................6
2.6 Analysis of the information collected..............................................................................7
3 Evaluation of the research outcomes.......................................................................................8
3.1 Research findings.............................................................................................................8
3.2 Research discussion and analysis.....................................................................................8
3.3 Limitations of the results..................................................................................................9
4 The outcomes of research being presented...........................................................................10
4.1 Explanation of the procedure to present the outcomes to the management...................10
4.2 Conclusion of the results................................................................................................11
References................................................................................................................................12
1 Understand how to formulate a research specification

1.1 Topic of the research

The topic of research is the find out the impact on employee performance through the factors
of motivation.

1.2 Background of the research

The research is part of the HND Certificate in Business requirement. As per the requirement,
we chose to conduct a research on a given topic in business that is related to increasing the
outcomes of a company.

1.3 Aims of the research

The aim of the research is to find out what motivational factors are contributing to the work
performance of employees.

1.4 Objectives of the research

As per the requirement mentioned above, the objective of the research is be specific in
finding out which factors in motivation are most likely to contribute in improving the
performance of work by employees in an organisation. As such, we indicated several factors
of motivation that are being explained below.

1.5 Research Question

What are the factors that motivate an employee to improve their work performance?

1.6 Variables to be assessed

When we are investigating this avenue of variables we have to identify the independent
variable and the dependent variable. In our case scenario, the independent variable is the
factor while the dependent variable is motivation. We are attempting to find out the
independent variables, the factors that lead employees to become motivated, the dependent
variable.

1.7 Data nature and information

The data that will come through the survey is going to be in numerical and textual format.
1.8 Kind of research that is applicable for this sort of
research
When investigating into the kinds of research we see that there are many types of research
such as Descriptive statistics; Regression analysis; Correlation analysis; T-tests; Chi-square
analysis; and Thematic analysis (Creswell, 2012).

Chosen method from the above options

Overall, from the options that have been mentioned, we have given a considerable thought to
the suitability of the method and have concluded that regression analysis suits our needs in
the best possible way. This is because we are attempting to identify the relationship between
two variables which is factors and motivation.

1.9 Limitations and scope of the research

Our research is limited to some areas that need to be mentioned. First and foremost, the
research is limited to a specific time. The time duration for conducting the research has been
a month since the conception of the topic and the research requirement. After that limitation,
we are bounded by funds to conduct the research. We dont have the ability to have a control
grouped experiment in the laboratory due to the shortage and limitation of funds.
Experiments require resources like research team members, laboratory, experimental
instruments, recording and editing devices, etc (Creswell, 2012). Another limitation to our
research has been the area or the vicinity where the research was conducted. We were
bounded in the area of UK for the research and could not go overseas for conducting the
research.

1.10 Causes for the choice of aim, objective and research

question
The main reason for choosing this topic of motivation is because the researcher is himself
interested in this area of organisational behaviour. To the researcher, if the right factors of
motivation can be identified, it will lead to motivating each staffs on an individual basis
which can make the company perform at its optimum output level, bring both company
benefits as well as keeping the employee happy in their course of the career with the
company.
1.11 Time Setting and milestones
The time duration for the research has been taken as four weeks to the maximum with the
expectation to the minimum of 2 weeks requirement for the research to be conducted. There
are four milestones in the research. The first week is on finalising the research methodology,
literature review, survey questionnaires. The second week will be going out in the field to
conduct the experiment with selected population and collecting primary data. The third week
will be analysing the collected data and finding out the results. The fourth week will be on
finalising the results and presenting it.

1.12 Ethical considerations in the research

In due course of the research, there are a number of ethical considerations that require to be
complied with. The selected population will have to be notified in writing that there are
certain rules and procedures for the research. There is no use of any animals in the research.
The participants will be informed about the research in details and further information can be
found by the participants at the given address. There are no tricks or hidden agenda or known
intentional misleading focus of the research. The participants are free to participate at their
will and can chose to leave at any time as they wish. There is no know physical or mental
risks associated with the research (Mackenzie & Knipe, 2006).

1.13 Review of the Literature

Motivation is the set of behaviours of a person to reach a specific target or objective
(Armstrong, 2012). In the context of the working environment, this can be expressed as a set
of behaviours that express an employee is working or meeting the work related goals. In this
field, we have come across Maslows hierarchy of needs where he mentions that people
initially have the need for food and other physiological needs. Once this is fulfilled, the
person moves to the second level which is the need for shelter. Once this need is fulfilled, the
person moves on to fulfil his/her third level of need which is the need for affection. After that
is fulfilled, the person moves to the next level which is the fourth level of needs. In this level,
the aim is to fulfil the need for esteem of ones self respect and independence. Once this is
achieved, the person moves to fulfil the 5th stage where the need is for self actualisation
which means that the person is involved in giving to the society through exploring ones own
full potential. Applying this to the context of the factors in working organisations, we find
that there are factors that seem to have affected on the motivation of employees to work at
that company (Mullins, 2005).
2 Research Action and Implementation
Here, our focus is on the action that will be taken for the research to be conducted. In other
words, this is the section to understand the implementation of the research.

2.1 Methodology of the research

Research methodology means that it is a procedure to find out the solution of the question
that is being asked in the research (Robson, 1993). For our research, the methodology is to
conduct a survey that will find out the main factors which motivate an employee to work for
specific goals of the organisation.

2.2 Validity and reliability of research design

For the purpose of our research, we are making sure that there is both internal and external
validity of our work. The survey that will take place will occur with people who are not put in
any controlled group or under any experiment. They are free to express their opinions in the
survey. The literature followed is made sure to be most recent literature and that it is accurate.
Questions in the survey have been checked to ensure they are error free. Tools that are to be
used in the research have been ensured to be accurate and reliable. We can say that the
research design is valid and reliable.

2.3 Sources of data and information

The sources of primary data will be the survey population. Secondary data is collected both
through the vast channels of internet and hard copies in libraries. These are mainly helpful for
the literature review and conceptual development.

2.4 Required tools for the acquisition of data and

information
The tools to be used for this research are hard copies of research surveys, some stationery
items, software which will store the data, process it, analyse it and give an output. For the
software purpose, we will use Microsoft Excel spreadsheet tool which will enable us to
perform the regression analysis (Creswell, 2012).
2.5 Data collection and Sampling
Data will be collected both in primary and secondary format. The primary data is to be
collected through the surveys. We are going to collect data from at least 100 subjects or
participants within our restricted time and resources. This will be our sample base.

2.6 Analysis of the information collected

Analysis of the information is to be done through regression analysis method and this will be
enhanced through the MS Excel software which has the function built in to the software
(Wright et al., 1997).
3 Evaluation of the research outcomes
Let us now see what the results of our research are

3.1 Research findings

Our research question was to find out the factors that motivate an employee to improve their
work performance. Our survey of 102 participants has been classified as male and female
genders while they constitute different age groups starting from 18-25, 26-35-36-50, 51 and
above.
Gender Participant total Percentage
Male 48 47%
Female 54 53%
102 total 100% total
Age Group
18-25 20 20%
26-35 28 27%
36-50 50 50%
51 and above 4 3%
4 groups total 102 total 100% total

The survey identified 5 factors that are considered to be motivational factors for improving
worker performance. These are given below in the order of highest ranks as given by the
participants-
Factors Number of responses as Percentage
Rank number 1
1. Compensation package 52 51%
2. Career growth opportunities 32 32%
3. Working conditions 10 9%
4. Training 5 5%
5. Colleagues 3 3%
Total 5 factors Total 102 participants Total 100%

3.2 Research discussion and analysis

The first table shows us that there were a total of 102 participants for the research. Out of
these, there were 48 males and 54 female participants. They were also divided according to
their age ranges and we found that 20% were within the range of 18-25 while 27%
constituted within the range of 26-35, 50% were within the range of 36-50 and 3% were
above 50 years of age. The second table above shows the factors that ranked as number one.
We see that more than 50% of participants considered the compensation package to be the
most important factor for motivation.

3.3 Limitations of the results

The participants in the research were limited to their given time and motivation. It was not
easy to persuade every one approached to participate in the research. Our statistics show that
out of 10 persons approached, we had 4 who responded to the survey. The survey required at
least 10 minutes from explanation till the participants gave back the survey questionnaire. It
is difficult to know if all the answers are true to the best of knowledge. We believe that the
participants were truthful to every question and their intention. To motivate participation, we
had offered participants some on spot attraction through providing chocolates and candies.
Those who were willing to provide us with their contact information were offered a chance to
win 20$ gift voucher which will be posted to the mailing address once we finish the research
and conduct a lottery. Less than 50% of the participants provided their contact details.
Altogether our sample has been quite small in comparison to the workforce in the country
and the world. To truly find out the actual results will require huge number of participants
with more research methods being applied and analysis tools availability.
4 The outcomes of research being presented

4.1 Explanation of the procedure to present the outcomes to

the management
Managers of companies have many duties and responsibilities (Farquharson & Baum, 2002).
They are expert in the field of management. It is not always that the managers are the best
people in communication. At times, we see that managers are limited to expressing
themselves through language both verbal and body related. They are also at times limited
with their cognitive ability to understand statistical calculations and results (Hanna, 2013).
Hence, we as the research conductors are responsible to present our findings in a way that is
suitable and easy for the managers (Huang, 2001). There is no need for detailed complex
formulas or descriptive presentations. A good summary holding the key points is considered
the right approach given the limited time and resources available both at the management side
and the research teams side.

For that purpose, the research team has identified several ways to present our research
findings. To make it interesting and easy, the team will be presenting through text, audio,
video, slides, handouts, and physical presentation by the team members.

Format Output
Text Report in Pdf
Audio Audio recordings as mp3, wav
Video Video clips of surveys and works mov
Slides Presentation ppt file
Handouts Hardcopies of report and slides
Physical presentation Verbal presentation with help of slides and
other tools

The report will be printed in hard copy format while the softcopy version will be available to
be collected in the format of pdf file. The report will have an executive summary so that the
managers can go through it to have a glimpse of the report. The rest of the report will have
the details of the research which will include the methodology, findings and analysis and
conclusion chapters.
4.2 Conclusion of the results
In conclusion, what we have found is that there are 5 main factors that contribute as
motivation for employees to improve their performance. The compensation package ranked
as the most important factor in most of the participants which mean that they are motivated to
work and improve their performance when the right kind of compensation package is offered
to them. While compensation package typically includes the notion of financial rewards, it is
not limited to that are only, rather it encompasses other rewards that may not necessarily be in
the form of financial reward only (Robbins, 2013). However, the limitation of the research
did not allow us to delve into this matter in details. Further research needs to be carried out
and we encourage others to take up the effort.
References