RESEARCH OPERATIONAL PLAN
(QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH)
Quantitative research is a systematic investigation of phenomena by gathering quantifiable data and performing statistical,
mathematical, or computational techniques to test the research hypotheses. This research operational plan (ROP) provides a
brief complete scenario of research that will assist students and their supervisor to understand, ensure the correctness, and
further improve the research plan
Name of Student
1. RASHIDAH BINTI NORAZMAN
Student ID
PB19077
PROJECT 1
Research Area [1 Mark]
Proposed Research Title [1 Mark]
It is about the area of interest or subject to be discussed and written about
or studied (e.g., lean manufacturing, organizational performance, business
sustainability, etc.)
The title summarizes the main idea of the study, which is more
literary. It should contain few words only, but adequately
describe the content and/or purpose of the research.
Employee performance
Training Effectiveness Program In Improving The
Work Performance Of Management And Professional
Staff
Pilot articles [2 Marks]
Pilot articles are current journal articles to be used as main references for your research. Please ensure that the pilot articles are very relevant
to your research. It should be published in established and reputable journals, maximum within 3 years back.
List out at least five pilot articles here, follow a proper reference format. APA style is preferable.
1. Ali H. Halawi. (2018). Effects of training on employee
performance: a case study of bonjus and khatib & alami
companies. Retrieved January 18, 2022
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325420167
_Effects_of_Training_on_Employee_Performance
2. Aya Aksh. (2018). Training effectiveness on employee
performance: a research on humanitarian organization
employees. Retrieved January 19, 2022 6.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/3494629
27_Training_effectiveness_on_employee_performance
_A_research_on_humanitarian_organization_employe
es
3. Jerry Shaw. (2019). Effects of training on employee
performance. Retrieved January 19, 2022
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/effects-trainingemployee-performance-39737.html
4. Nideffer, R. M. (1985). Athletes' guide to mental
training. Human Kinetics.
5. Andrew Brown. (2021). Performance
Management Training: What is it and How to
Improve it to Help Your Employees Grow.
Retrieved January 21, 2022
https://www.northpass.com/blog/how-toimprove-performance-management-throughtraining
6. Board, K. Third Edition. 2002. Kuala Lumpur:
Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka.
7. Debra L. Truitt. (December 27, 2011). The Effect
of Training and Development on Employee
Attitude as it Relates to Training and Work
Proficiency. Retrieved January 21,
2022https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177
/2158244011433338
8. Susan M. Heathfield. (April 30, 2020). Tap the
Power of Internal Training : Provide internal
training to develop the knowledge and skills of
your employees. Retrieved January 21,
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/tap-thepower-of-internal-training-1919298
Focus of study [1 Mark]
Research issues [4 Marks] It is about specific current
It is the center of a study, from which research issues will be derived.
Normally, the focus of the study is the dependent variable(s).
issues/symptoms surrounding the focus of the study. It could be
based on real industry problems that interest/motivate you to
conduct this research. Support from current literature (published
within 3 years back) is required.
List out the maximum of four relevant issues here. .
Work performance
1) The concept of training generally has elements
of development. According to Nideffer (1985),
“Training is learning designed to change the
performance of people doing jobs”. Based on
the given definition, training is a method of
learning which in achieving organizational
goals, it is a systematic process to change the
behavior of individuals in the organization.
2) Performance can be described by various
definitions and it gives the meaning of the
results that have been achieved or obtained
according to the Third Edition Hall Dictionary
(2002).
3) Ricciardi (1996), says that performance is
quality multiplied by productivity. Rue (1999),
meanwhile, says that performance is the level
of achievement of a task that covers the work
results for each individual. This means,
performance can be referred to as the amount
of work that has been done and completed as
well as the work that can be produced to the
customer. Ricciardi also states that
performance is an individual’s ability to
complete an output at the right time and
manner at a given level of effort.
4) "The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current
English (1995)" effectiveness from the
researcher's perspective is the production of
effects, consequences or desired conclusions.
From the perspective of the administrator, it
refers to the full use of available resources in
increasing the quantity and quality of products
produced. Thus, effectiveness refers to a
predetermined level of measurement.
Research problem [7 Marks]
It is existing problem to be solved/suggested to be solved in this research. The problem must be derived from current research
issues/symptoms as they are the indications of the existence of the problem. In short, the research problem is the root cause of the issues.
Support from the current literature is required.
List out your brief problem statement here.
Government organizations have a lot of staff problems especially related to job performance. Government employees
are often said to be problematic employees either in terms of service, customer service and have low discipline.
Attitude, training and motivation factors are said to be the determining factors to a person's work performance. In
addition, environmental factors, communication and change orientation will affect a person's work performance.
Research gaps [3 Marks]
The research gap is the missing element in the existing research literature, and you attempt to fill it with your research. In other words, it refers
to insufficient information that limits the ability to reach conclusions and to make decisions. Supports from the current literature are required.
List out the maximum of three research gaps here. Some keywords (such as lack of studies, limited studies, lack of consensus, neglected, ignored, inconsistent
findings, insufficient, etc.) could be used.
Practical gaps based on the real problem
● Service quality, since the 1980s has been a key
measure of job performance with customer
satisfaction being the focus in all Malaysian Civil
Service operations. [Ahmad Sarji (1993)]
Research Questions [3 Marks]
Theoretical gaps based on literature
❖ To provide quality services, civil servants
must be able to be creative and innovative,
that is, create new ideas or make changes to
improve the quality of services.
❖ These innovations, apart from referring to
modifications to work processes, methods
and work procedures, also refer to the
introduction of new services that are
beneficial to the public or the inclusion of
new features in the services provided to
provide greater satisfaction to customers.
Research Objectives [3 Marks]
RQ is answerable inquiries to assist the researcher to solve the research
problem. Thus, RQs must be in line with the research problem. Once the
RQs are successfully answered, then the research problem is solved.
RO is an achievable purpose of the study to solve the problem or
to find answers to RQs. Thus, ROs must be in line with RQs and
research problems.
●
A mechanism for the organization to make an
assessment of the level of effectiveness of an
employee on the organization and know the level of
achievement obtained. [Ab. Aziz (2003)).
RQ1
Does the Training Methodology have a significant
relationship on job performance?
RO1
RQ2
Does the Coach/Facilitator have a significant
relationship on job performance.?
RO2
RQ3
Do the Training Objectives have a significant
relationship to job performance.?
RO3
RQ4
Thus, does Organizational Support have a significant
relationship to job performance..
RO4
To assess whether the designed Training
Methodology can improve job performance
in achieving organizational objectives.
To investigate whether the role played by
the Coach/Facilitator can influence the work
performance of staff in the organization
where they work
To investigate the suitability of the Training
Objectives of a program that has been set
can improve the work performance of staff.
To investigate whether Organizational
Support in attending a training program can
help an organization improve the work
performance of its staff.
Scope of Study [4 Marks]
It is the boundary of research. Thus, the researcher should not go beyond the scope. Normally, it consists of three elements, including the
general objectives of the study, variables involved in the study, and the context in which the study is to be conducted.
General objectives of the study
Variables involved in the study
o know the extent to which the
IV: Training effectiveness
training program can improve the work DV: Work Performance
performance of Management and
Professional staff.
Context of study
Management Staff
Significance of Study [6 Marks]
It is about the importance/the meaning of the research work. It is also about the expected benefits or impacts “others” in part or whole. It also
discusses specific people or groups of people that might benefit from the research. There are two types of research significance; theoretical and
practical.
Theoretical significance
Practical significance
Theoretical significance is about how the study pushes the boundary of
knowledge. For example, any theory/model/concept is developed from
the research? Or any shortcomings from previous theory/model that are
expected to be overcome?
Practical significance is about how the study improves the reality
and helps the subjects of your concern (people in the
organization). It is also about what precisely that the research can
help the subject to overcome their problem. In short, it is about
the benefits of research for society, stakeholders, policymakers,
etc.
●
Spread awareness about training effectiveness and
its effect on work performance among management
staff.
●
●
Both government and private organizations
require their employees to constantly have
an improvement in skills, knowledge, and
attitudes to improve the work performance
of individuals and organizations. Provisions
are invested in sending their employees to
attend coursework, training, or other
programs to improve their respective job
performance.
According to the Malaysian Administrative
Modernization Unit or MAMPU (1990),
productivity encompasses both elements of
efficiency and effectiveness. Efficiency is the
ratio between the output (output or service)
and the amount of resources used (input).
Efficiency is related to the reduction of cost
per unit of production.
PROJECT 2
Content of Literature Review Chapter [5 Marks]
List out the structure of literature review chapter here.
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Overview on the work Performance
2.2.1 Definition of work Performance
2.2.2 The basic concept about work Performance
2.2.3 The indicators used to indicate the work
Performance
2.3 Overview on the training effectiveness
2.3.1 Definition on training effectiveness
2.3.2 The basic concept about training effectiveness
2.3.3 The indicators used to indicate the training
effectiveness
Conceptual definitions [4 Marks]
2.4 The interrelationship between the variables
(hypothesis development)
2.5.1 The relationship between travel anxiety and
work Performance
2.6 Research Framework
2.6.1 Theoretical framework
2.6.2 Conceptual framework
2.7 Chapter summary
Conceptual definitions tell what your constructs are by explaining how they are related to other constructs. This explanation and
all of the constructs it refers to are abstract.
List out all variables, conceptual definitions, and the roles of each variable.
Constructs/
Variables
Training
effectiveness
Work
Performance
Conceptual Definition
Role of the constructs/variables
(Needs support from literature)
(e.g., independent, dependent, moderating/mediating or control variable)
Independent Variable
Yamnil & Mc lean (2001), in a
study based on Holton’s (1996)
model of Effectiveness in
focusing on individual
performance. Deep relationship
this Holton model shows how
individual performance is an
effect of learning outcomes
applied in the workplace that
provide a direct change to
organizational performance.
Dependent Variable
Mercer (1995) quoted in
(Salmiah, 2004) said that the
effectiveness of an organization
is determined by the
effectiveness of the work
performance of its members
and it refers to the importance
of work performance to an
organization. Thus, the
organization needs to address
the question of how its
employees achieve excellent
work performance.
Operational definitions [4 Marks]
Operational definitions describe the variables that will be used as indicators for constructs and the procedures to observe or
measure the variables.
Constructs/
Variables
Travel Anxiety
Travel
Intention
Indicators of each
construct/variable
1. Terrified of going on a
tour during a
pandemic
2. Considering going on a
tour during a pandemic
3. Planning tourism
activities during the
pandemic
1. Preferences to choose
a destination
2. Preference to travel
“travel bubbles”
destinations in the
future
3. Tendency to
recommend to relatives
and friend
Remarks
(e.g., definition, scale to use, source of measures, references, etc.)
1. 5-point Likert scale, where 1 means “strongly disagree”
and 5 means “strongly agree”
1. 5-point Likert scale, where 1 means “strongly disagree”
and 5 means “strongly agree”
Research Framework
Conceptual Framework [5 Marks]
The conceptual framework is the researcher’s own model illustrating variables that specify the problem and give direction to the
study. It may be an adoption of a model in an early theory, with modifications to suit the inquiry. This model will be tested in this
research through hypotheses testing.
Please illustrate the conceptual framework.
INDEPENDENT
VARIABLES
DEPENDENT
VARIABLE
TRAINING EFFECTIVENESS
WORK PERFORMANCE
TRAINING METHODOLOGY
FACILITATOR / COACH
TRAINING OBJECTIVES
ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT
Research hypotheses [5 Marks]
The hypothesis is a statement that shows a relationship between two or more variables in a testable
form. Quantitative research will test the hypotheses.
List out all hypotheses based on the conceptual framework that you have developed.
H1
Training Methodology has a significant relationship to job performance.
H2
Coaches/Facilitators have a significant relationship to job performance.
H3
Training objectives have a significant relationship to job performance.
H4
Organizational support has a significant relationship to job performance.
Data analysis technique [2
Marks]
State the analysis technique for each
hypothesis
Structural Equation Modeling
(SEM)
Structural Equation Modeling
(SEM)
Structural Equation Modeling
(SEM)
Structural Equation Modeling
(SEM)
PROJECT 3
Research Methodology
Research methodology is a system of methods used in a particular area of study or activity. It is a combination of systematic strategies/methods
that outlines the way in which things are to be undertaken.
Type of research design [1 Mark]
Strategy [1 Mark]
Time Frame [1 Mark]
(e.g., experimental, quasi-experiment, survey, etc.)
(e.g., cross-sectional, longitudinal)
Type: Quantitative Research Design. Survey.
Data were collected from a large
group of diverse respondents to find
Cross-sectional.
Purpose: collect data only once
out the responses to the research Purpose: Survey is a method of collecting
questions.
primary data in which information is
gathered by communicating with a
Approach: This research was representative sample of our respondents.
approached by me.
Reason: to have questioning data
Type: Research design data is (question people), which the survey is
collected as primary data, as the more suitable for this research, in order to
collection is direct from first hand have more accurate proof and data as the
experience for current purposes.
basis of research by having a large sample
size.
Purpose: The purpose of this research
design is to collect new data from
primary, logic and analysis.
Measurement Development
Constructs/Variables [2
Marks]
List out all constructs here
The technique of development
[2 Marks]
Sources/literature
support [2 Marks]
(e.g., adapted from/adopted from/selfdeveloped)
List out the literature supporting
each construct
Measurement Scale [2
Marks]
State the types of scale (e.g., nominal,
ordinal, interval, or ratio) and the
point of the scale
Construct 1: Work
Performance (dependent
variable)
Adapted
Andrew Brown. (2021).
Interval scale. From
1(strongly Disagree) to 5
(strongly Agree)
Construct 3: Training
Effectiveness (independent
variable)
Adapted
AYA AKSH. (2018)
Interval scale. From
1(strongly Disagree) to
5(strongly Agree)
Pre-test [2 Marks]
Pilot test [2 Marks]
Pre-test aims at ensuring content validity, readability, and brevity of the
instrument.
The pilot test aims at ensuring construct validity (i.e., validity and
reliability) prior to the real data collection.
State the technique and scenario of the pre-test.
State the technique and scenario of the pilot test.
Prepare the questionnaire and send it to the lecture to have a I prepare questions for the questionnaire on social
check for validation. Seek the lecture advice to prepare the media sites and send links to family and friends until I
questionnaire according to the format.
reach the set goals.
The objective of having a pre-test is to ensure content validity, Objective: To ensure construct validity, i.e. convergent
readability, and brevity of the instrument. It also involves validity and reliability. It has involved real
experts which we refer to our supervisor, Dr. Nor Aina Mazuin. respondents.
Purpose: The results will be used to improve the
questionnaire. This survey was used because the
respondent was likely to give a more honest answer
to the questionnaire and would not have been biased
towards the respondent.
Population and Sample
The population is the entire group that will be studied. The sample is an element in a population to be studied.
Sampling frame [1 Marks]
Unit of analysis [1 Mark]
The sampling frame is the list of
individuals or items from which
the sample can be obtained.
Unit of analysis is the major entity
that you are analyzing in your study
(e.g., individual, organization, group,
etc.)
State the population of study and
source of the sampling frame
There is a possible sampling
frame from:
1. Staff from
University Malaysia
Pahang (by sending
google form to
Whatsapp,
Telegram)
Individual
Sampling technique [1
Mark]
Minimum sample size
requirement [1 Mark]
Sampling technique refers to
the methods of selecting
samples from the population
(e.g., cluster, stratified,
multi-stage, etc.)
State the minimum sample size and
the technique used to determine it
(e.g., G-Power, Kreijcie and Morgan
Table, Cohen’s Rule of Thumb, etc.)
Non-probability:
Voluntary response
sampling. Due to this
research data is
collected online and
filled by people that
volunteer to fill in the
form.
G-Power technique
power software analysis
Test family: F
Test effect size ⨍2: 0.15
α error probability: 0.05
Statistical Power: 0.95
No. of predictors: 3
Minimum sample size: 119
Data collection method [2 Marks]
Data Collection
Instrument used for data collection [1 Mark]
State the methods of data collection (e.g., personal interview, telephone interview,
mail survey, online survey, etc.) and its justification here.
State the instruments used for data collection (e.g., printed
questionnaires, online questionnaires, etc.)
Online survey
Online questionnaires using Google Forms shared
Online survey will be created by using Google form and with respondent via WhatsApp group
distributed to the responden.
Data analysis technique [2
Marks]
State the techniques used for data
analysis (e.g., descriptive statistics,
correlation/regression analysis,
structural equation modeling, etc.)
and their justifications
Multivariate Analysis:
structural equation
modeling to achieve
discrimination validity and
structural assessment
Data Analysis
Software [2 Marks]
Steps of data analysis [4
State software used to assist the data
Marks]
analyses and justifications (e.g., SPSS,
SmartPLS, AMOS, LISREL, etc.)
1. SMARTPLS
2. Microsoft Excel
3. Microsoft Word
State the steps of data analysis here.
Step1: Demographics of
respondent
STEP2: Descriptive statistic
and normality assessment
Advantages
can take estimation
mistakes into consideration
by unequivocally counting
estimation mistake factors
that compare to the
estimation blunder parcels
of watched factors.
Outcome [2 Marks]
State the outcomes of each step
of the analysis
Output of Step 1: The
pivot table has been
done after gathering
respondents.
Output of Step 2: The
descriptive data has
been inserted into
SMARTPLS and
calculated. The data
minimum is 1,
maximum is 5.， mean,
and standard deviation
(s.d).
Normality Assessment:
Excess Kurtosis: The
degree peakedness
/flatness in the variable
distribution.
permits to show and test
complex designs of
connections, counting a
large number of
speculations at the same
time as an entire (counting
cruel structures and bunch
comparisons).
Skewness: The degree
of symmetry in the
variable distribution.
STEP 3: Measurement
model Assessment to
construct validity discriminant validity structural model
assessment -vote
strapping,
The output of Step 3:
Construct the initial
Smart Pls model. The
properties that have
less than 0.5 mean will
be eliminated and
modified in the
SmartPls model.
The Path Model in
SMARTPLS has done
modified data by
removing observed data
that is lower than 0.5.
Convergent Validity is
the extent to which the
items of the specific
construct converge
together. It also reflects
a correlation between
items measuring the
same construct.
High outer loadings of
measurement items
indicate that the items
converge together on a
common construct
which is more than 0.5.
In our convergent
validity, all have more
than 0.5, which brings
the items to converge
together on a common
construct.
Discriminant Validity
indicates the
uniqueness of a
construct from other
constructs.
A latent variable should
explain better the
variance of its own
indicators than the
variance of other latent
variables.
Discriminant Validity:
1. Heterotrait Monotrait
Ratio (HTMT) has been
done. Average
heterotraitheteromethod
correlations relative to
the average monotraitheteromethod
correlation. HTMT value
needs less than 0.9.
2. Fornell & Larcker
Criterion:
The square root of the
AVE of a latent variable
has higher than the
correlations between
the latent variable and
all other variables. The
diagonal value is square
root of AVE,off-diagonal
values are the
correlation of
coefficients.
STEP 4: structural model
assessment, vote
strapping.
Structural model
evaluation to evaluate
estimates and hypothesis
testing about the
relationship between
exogenous and
endogenous variables
expressed in the path
diagrams. The procedure
in the evaluation of the
structural model is
bootstrapping to enable
obtaining statistical results
from smart-PLS through
the coefficients, alpha
values, HTMT, R², and P²
values.
Output step 4:
Summary of the
hypothesis testing that
used is (standard beta,
standard error, t-value,
p-value, bias, confident
internal and decisions.)
Novelty of Research [4 Marks]
The novelty of the research is the state or quality of being new, exciting, unusual, or unique from research.
Answer the question of what is new from this research?
From the authors' knowledge after the research that the independent variable has a significant and positive
relationship at a moderate and very low level with the dependent variable that is job performance. Based on the
results of the study and the inferential results that have been translated from the correlation test analysis, it can be
concluded that there is an influence between the factors that influence the effectiveness of the training program,
namely training objectives, coaches/facilitators, training methodology and organizational support on job
performance. This study also successfully showed that the objective dimension of training has a major significant
effect in improving job performance. Well -outlined training objectives are especially important in assessing the
success and effectiveness of a training program. Overall, the findings of this study also prove that this study is
relevant and realistic to use to show the effectiveness of training programs on the work performance of an employee
in an organization.
Research Activities and Milestone [4 Marks]
List out the activities of the research and targeted start and end dates.
Research Activities
Article Finding
Project 1
Project 2
Survey questionnaire preparation and data collection
Data analysis
Project 3
Supervisor’s comment
Start Date
End Date
18/1/2022
19/1/2022
20/1/2022
20/11/2022
22/1/2022
5/12/2022
24/1/2022
24/1/2022
26/1/2022
26/1/2022
27/1/2022
27/1/2022
Supervisor’s Signature & Official Stamp