Dissertation
Dissertation Excerpt: A Mixed-Methods Design for Studying Remote Work and Productivity
A methodology-chapter excerpt from a master's dissertation, justifying a mixed-methods design and explaining sampling, instruments, and ethical safeguards.
Research Design and Rationale
This study adopts a convergent mixed-methods design, collecting quantitative and qualitative data in parallel and integrating them at the interpretation stage. The rationale follows from the research question, which asks not only whether remote work affects self-reported productivity but how employees account for that effect. A purely quantitative design could measure the association; only the qualitative strand can surface the mechanisms employees themselves identify (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2018).
Methodological justification
A single method would leave the central question half-answered: survey data can establish that a relationship exists, but only interview data can explain the reasoning employees use to make sense of it. The two strands are therefore complementary rather than redundant.
Sampling and Data Collection
The quantitative strand draws on a stratified sample of knowledge workers across three sectors, sized to detect a medium effect at conventional power. The qualitative strand uses purposive sampling of a subset of survey respondents, selected for maximum variation in reported experience. Data collection instruments — a validated productivity self-report scale and a semi-structured interview guide — are detailed in Appendix B, with the interview guide piloted to check for leading phrasing.
Ethical Considerations
Because participants are recruited through employers, the design guards specifically against coercion and confidentiality risks. Participation is voluntary and independent of any performance review, responses are anonymized before analysis, and no individual-level data is shared with employers. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional review board prior to any recruitment, and informed consent is documented for both strands.