Research Topic: FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS AND SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE
DEVELOPMENT IN GHANA
Research Approach and Design
This study has been designed to follow a qualitative inquiry approach, considering the
three main approaches to scientific enquiries in business research advanced by Creswell (2014)
and Antwi & Hamza (2015). Based on the research topic to be explored, the research objectives,
the philosophical presumptions, and the expectations of the critical research audience, a
qualitative technique was chosen. This is essentially a judgment that is appropriate for its
intended use. Despite this, Bradshaw and Stratford (2010) note that rigorous planning and
meticulous execution are necessary for qualitative research in order to provide credible results
that sustain scrutiny.
Numerous methods to qualitative research design are used in diverse studies, and
different authors categorize qualitative research designs in different ways (Flick, 2018).
Phenomenology, case study, ethnography, content analysis, realism, grounded theory,
comparative study, symbolic interactions, narrative, snapshot, hermeneutics, ethnomethodology,
symbolic interactions, and retrospective study are a few examples of the various classifications
and terminology used to describe the various approaches to qualitative research design. Vagle
(2018). It is frequently advised to use many designs since they tend to increase the data's
reliability and, consequently, the validity of the study findings (Bradshaw and Stratford, 2010).
An further rationale for taking into account various designs is the contention that a conventional
qualitative investigation is likely to have some overlaps. A typical phenomenological research,
for instance, may include a case study or some sort of content analysis component. This point is
noteworthy since a study's focus may be on the prevailing method and design. However, if
significant overlaps are required to improve the "rigour" and reliability, the investigation
shouldn't be limited to a mono design.
The constructivist premise—that knowledge and the reality including humans and their
actions can and should be produced from different viewpoints to give life's occurrences a more
holistic and constructive meaning—will serve as the foundation for the study (Oppong & Gold,
2016). As a result, the phenomenological design of the research as well as the procedures and
methods used for gathering data have met all of the necessary criteria for a credible and
dependable qualitative investigation.
Types and Sources of Data
The initial step of the study would involve gathering literature on trade agreements,
global commerce, and company sustainability, particularly in relation to Ghana. Subsequently,
the content analysis of trade policy papers will be undertaken, with particular emphasis given to
their legal and operational aspects. In addition, focus groups, seminars, and interviews will be
conducted to triangulate, leading to methodological and data triangulation that will strengthen
the study's credibility. The synthesis of literature and actual data will be the primary method of
knowledge development. The study will deploy open-ended questions and their respective
prompts to guide the data collection from all informants during the in-depth interviews, focus
group discussions and the research workshop. A separate guide will be designed for each
interview or research discussion tailored to the participant characteristics and the nature of data
required from the participant.
Limitations of the proposed approach
Over the years, critics of the qualitative research approach have raised some concerns
about the reliability and trustworthiness of research findings. Qualitative enquiries still suffer
from the subjective “stigma” from critics who maintain that the procedure lacks objectivity. But
within that same critic lies the strength that knowledge and reality can be seen from multiple
perspectives. In human societies where knowledge construction is imperative, the search for
multiple realities through qualitative inquiries and differing value perspectives provides rich
information even if they do not follow rudimentary steps as observed in quantitative inquiries.
Thus, it is recommended that qualitative research outcomes be evaluated based on distinct
criteria for determining their authenticity and reliability rather than the traditional checks for
rigour (Flick, 2018).
References
Antwi, S. K., & Hamza, K. (2015). Qualitative and quantitative research paradigms in business
research: A philosophical reflection. European Journal of Business and Management, 7(3), 217–
226.
Bradshaw, M., & Stratford, E. (2010). Qualitative research design and rigour. In Qualitative
Research Methods in Human Geography (pp. 69–80). Ontario: Oxford University Press.
Retrieved from [Link]
Creswell, J. W, & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research
(3rd ed.). Los Angeles: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Creswell, John W. (2014). The selection of a research approach. In Research design: Qualitative,
quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. (4th ed., pp. 3–24). CA: Sage Publications.
[Link]
Flick, U. (Ed.). (2018). The SAGE handbook of qualitative data collection. London: Sage.
[Link] 6070
Oppong, N. Y., & Gold, J. (2016). Developing local managers in the Ghanaian mining industry:
an indigenous talent model. Journal of Management Development, 35(3), 341–359.
[Link] 0011
Vagle, M. D. (2018). Crafting Phenomenological Research (2nd ed.). Routledge/Taylor &
Francis.