Chapter 2
Method
Presented in this section are the discussions on research design, research
locale, population & sample, research instruments, data collection, and statistical
tools.
Research Design
This study employed a non-experimental quantitative design utilizing the
descriptive correlation research technique in gathering data. In non-experimental
research, researchers collect data without making changes or introducing
treatments (Gehle, 2013). In this study, there was no manipulation and controlling
of variables, hence, non-experimental. In descriptive-correlation research design,
the researcher describes and interprets what is, and reveals conditions and
relationships that exist and do not exist. It is a fact-finding study that allows the
researcher to examine the characteristics, behaviors, and experiences of the
study participants (Calderon, 2006; Calmorin, 2007).
This study is descriptive since ascertained the level of public leadership
behaviors. Also, this is a correlation study because it investigated the relationship
between variables, which are public leadership roles and job satisfaction, using
survey questionnaires in gathering data.
Research Locale
Figure 2 depicted the map of the Philippines and the province of Davao del
Norte, highlighting Tagum City, where this study took place. Specifically, the
conduct of this was in a tertiary government hospital in Tagum City.
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Figure 2. Map of the Philippines and the Province of Davao del Norte,
highlighting Tagum City
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A first class city in Davao del Norte, wih a ttoal land area of 19,580
hectares, Tagum City has a population of 259, 444 people, according to the 2015
census (Philippine Statistics Authority, 2015).
Particularly, this study took place in a tertiary government hospital in the
province of Davao Del Norte, which was established in 1972 as a fifty-bed
capacity provincial hospital serving the population of Davao Province. Gladly, the
Administrative Order No. 82 from the Ministry of Health in April 1980 reclassified it
from a provincial hospital to a 100-bed regional hospital. Later in 1992, beds were
increased to 150. By August 1, 2001, the hospital was licensed to operate on a
200-bed capacity. Moreover, on August 26, 2015, under the Republic Act 10678
signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III, the number of hospital beds was
increased to 600.
Population and Sample
The respondents of the study were the 218 Medical Division employees
from a tertiary government hospital in Tagum City. The sample size calculator
based on Slovin's formula determined the number of samples. Once the samples
were determined, respondents were then randomly selected using stratified
random sampling. The use of this sampling method ensured that a balanced
representation of samples. The total population in the medical division is 478. The
Ancillary Department has 258 employees, while the Medical Department has 222.
In calculating the sample size, the Slovin's calculator gave 218 samples.
Therefore, the researcher took 118 or 54% of samples from the Ancillary
Department and 100 or 46% from the Medical Department
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Moreover, this study included only the male and female regular employees
of the tertiary government hospital in Tagum City assigned in the medical division.
These were the medical division employees, specifically the doctors, physical
therapists, respiratory therapists, medical technologists, laboratory technicians,
and radiologic technologists. Excluded from participating in the study were the
contractual employees or those with job order positions in the medial division.
Participation in this study was voluntary. Respondents could opt to withdraw their
participation anytime, without risk of penalty.
Research Instrument
Tools used in the gathering of data for this study were two sets of
questionnaires. The first part was a survey questionnaire for public leadership
roles adapted from Tummers and Knies (2014). The second part was on job
satisfaction adapted from Specter (1985).
Interpretation Guide for Public Leadership Behaviors
Range of Means Descriptive Level Interpretation
This level indicates that the public
leadership role or behavior stated in the
4.20-5.00 Very High
item is always manifested.
This level indicates that the public
leadership role or behavior stated in the
3.40-4.19 High
item is manifested
This level indicates that the public
leadership role or behavior stated in the
2.60-3.39 Moderate
item is fairly manifested.
This level indicates that the public
leadership role or behavior stated in the
1.80-2.59 Low
item is seldom manifested.
This level indicates that the public
leadership role or behavior stated in the
1.00-1.79 Very Low
item is never manifested.
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The second set is the survey questionnaire for job satisfaction adapted
from the work of Specter (1985) that has nine (9) indicators. Overall, the
questionnaire has thirty-six (36) items. Below is the interpretation guide for job
satisfaction.
Interpretation Guide for Job Satisfaction
Range of Means Descriptive Level Interpretation
This level indicates that the employees
4.20-5.00 Very High always manifest satisfaction on their job.
This level indicates that the employees
3.40-4.19 High often manifest satisfaction on their job.
This level indicates that the employees
2.60-3.39 Moderate fairly manifest satisfaction on their job.
This level indicates that the employees
1.80-2.59 Low rarely manifest satisfaction on their job.
This level indicates that the employees
1.00-1.79 Very Low
never manifest satisfaction on their job.
A Likert's scale guided the respondents in choosing their answers: 5 for
strongly agree; 4 for agree; 3 for neither agree nor disagree; 2 for disagree, and 1
for strongly disagree. A rating scale also provided for the interpretation of results.
To make sure that the content of the questionnaire was valid and reliable, it was
pilot tested and submitted for a validity testing using Cronbach's Alpha. Besides
the Cronbach's Alpha, the questionnaire experts also validated the questionnaire.
Data Collection
The researcher followed the protocol for undergoing the study. First, the
researcher sent a permission letter to the medical division chief for approval for
the conduct of the study. Upon the approval, the researcher then informed the
Chief of Clinic for the conduct of the study. After that, the researcher distributed
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the questionnaire to the target respondents. Since the questionnaire is a bit
lengthy, the respondents were given three days to accomplish it. The collection of
accomplished questionnaires was one week after distribution, with 100 percent
retrieval rating.
The researcher encoded the responses in the Microsoft Excel application
and submitted to the statistician for analysis. Interpretation of the data followed.
The collection of data lasted for the whole month of January 2018.
Statistical Tools
The statistics used in the analysis of data were as follows:
Frequencies/Means/ Standard Deviation was used to determine the
levels of public leadership behaviors and job satisfaction.
Pearson r was used to determine the significance of the relationship
between public leadership behaviors and job satisfaction.
Regression Analysis was used to ascertain the influence of public
leadership behaviors on job satisfaction.
Ethical Consideration
Ethical consideration is an essential and crucial factor in the research.
Walker (2007) stressed that in attaining ethics in research, the confidentiality of
the respondents is the primordial concern.
Voluntary participation. The researcher asked permission from the
Medical Center Chief for the administration of research and collection of data.
Respondents of this study were not forced to answer the survey questionnaire;
their decision to participate in the study was voluntary.
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Informed consent. Recruitment of respondents began once the
researcher obtained the approval from the hospital administrator. Stratified
random sampling identified the potential respondents from the different units
under the medical division of the tertiary government hospital. Each respondent
signed a consent form which outlined the purpose of the study, its potential risks,
and benefits.
Withdrawal of participation. The researcher informed the respondents
fully about the process and overall nature of the study before starting the data
collection. Respondents could withdraw their participation from the study anytime
they wish.
Confidentiality. The questionnaire did not require respondents names or
any identifying data or profile. This technique helped with confidentiality issues
that might compromise the relationship of the respondents with their superiors.
Benefits. Potential benefits of this study for the respondents include
aggregate data that could be utilized to add significant value to the job satisfaction
of the employees under the medical division of a tertiary government hospital.
Moreover, as an employee of a government hospital under said medical division, it
would serve as a basis in identifying factors that could lead to job dissatisfaction
and in turn the development of methods to address these factors thereby leading
to more effective patient management that could be carried out by any medical
division employee. Overall, this may support the hospital's mandate to provide
quality health services for the people who need it.
Conflict of Interest. The researcher has disclosed any conflict of interest
regarding the benefits of the study. The researcher has disclosed that besides
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graduating and earning a master's degree, the primary interest was to gather
essential and valid data that would meet the objective of the study.
Plagiarism. The researcher made sure of the originality of the study. All
authors of related pieces of literature and the results of studies were adequately
acknowledged. The research office tested the final research output for the
similarity index using Turnitin plagiarism checker. Moreover, the researcher
submitted the study protocol to UMERC for the further ethical evaluation of the
paper.
Deceit and Falsification. The researcher has honestly disclosed the
objectives of the study, and data were properly collected and analyzed. Also, the
research office has thoroughly examined the paper for quality control. Besides,
appendices are attached for the readers to peruse.
Authorship. The researcher acknowledged those who contributed to the
success of the study. However, should this study be published, the researcher
would remain as the principal author, and the adviser would be the second author.
