CAG52 DATA ANALYSIS Topic: "EFFECTS OF COMMUNICATION ON STAFF MORALE AND PRODUCTIVITY WITHIN GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE AGENCIES IN NEPAL". We have been discussing over the past couple of weeks the methodology we plan to use for our Management Research Projects (MRPs). After thinking and evaluating I have decided that Positivism is better suited, though originally I wanted a mixed method. However, I believe that I may still end up with a mixed method in the end as I believe that some amount of Constructivism will be needed for my MRP. Regarding Positivism, my quantitative data analysis approach would include descriptive statistics. I would need to compare the data received from my primary sources: questionnaires, company archives, and the quarterly and annual reports from the four of the current nine Government Executive Agencies I plan to focus on in my country. The secondary sources would include: public libraries and journal articles.All this data requires good analysis to ensure the proposed hypothesis that good communication positively affects staff morale and productivity in Government Executive Agencies in Nepal. The ways in which the data would be presented included bar graphs, histograms and tables (Easterby-Smith et al, 2012: 249-250). After expounding on each group of findings, a visual display which brings appeal for the reader is a good way to break the flow of text by showing what is being stated in a more easily digestible and reader-friendly way (Easterby-Smith, et al., 2012: 250). The approach will provide a brief summary of the data analysis section of the research, by displaying the data in just a few 'images'; something the mind grasps faster than text. Statistics are frequently used when describing large quantities, and so it would enable me to go through the information collected and focus on the most important findings, displaying the results for easy referencing. For validity and reliability, displaying the findings and honestly declaring the questions and the responses, types of responses and their frequencies, gives a foundation for future research on similar topics and allows the research project to be used as a reliable source (Easterby-Smith, et al., 2012: 48). Challenges to this approach will include time due to the amount of questionnaires (yet to be determined) that will need to be distributed, and the amount of time it will take to distribute and analyse upon return. The latter is quite time consuming. Also, I see it as somewhat of a gamble in regards to how many properly completed questionnaires are actually returned. A good percentage of the questionnaires will be needed so as to provide a good analysis. I would also not be able to ensure that the data was filled by someone who falls within the sample selected (Easterly-Smith, et al., 2012: 230) because it may not be done face to face. I am thinking of ways to avoid some of these challenges. Using qualitative methods of focus groups, for instance, where the issues are discussed and then questionnaires are handed out after would allow for more questionnaires to be returned, as well as give the respondents a better understanding of the project and the need for their input. Bing familiar with the researcher will allow them to not feel detached from the research, which would be a factor in causing them to not want to respond. Interviews with relevant persons in each organization would allow for more information to be collected that would not be gathered from the questionnaires. I believe that these would enhance the quality of the MRP. REFERENCE Easterby-Smith, M., R. Thorpe, & P. Jackson, (2012) Management Research, 4th edition, London: SAGE Publications