Methodology - Evaluation of the SPI approaches and activities to propose an effective Software Process Improvement (SPI) methodology for Small and Medium (SME) software development organizations to optimize their productivity.

1.     Methodology

3.1 Research Philosophy

Numerous researchers brought into use various methods in their studies based on what was relevant and demanded by the study, some resemble in all of the studies whereas the rest differ on the basis on the aim of the study and the methodology used. This specific study shall be relative research between two globally well-known companies and aims to bring forward a comparing study of the management of supply chain of the companies. For this, the philosophical approach put into use in the research shall be:

3.1.1 Epistemology; Positivism (Scientific) and Interpretivism (Anti-Positivism).

If interpretive and positivism are talked about, there seem to be some very prevailing philosophies, apart from the methods, which are pointed by a high level of positivism and also seem to be interpretive simultaneously. Reliability and validity are seem to be the epicentre of, as stated by Winter (2000), interpretive epistemology. One shall need to go into detail if he is to make out the information based on facts, in the case of interpretive philosophy; on the contrary positivism surpasses the facts which are easy to observe and are able to be described by the help of thinking rationally (Sekaran, 2003). The approaches of science that need a group of facts that are satisfying and relevant, and not just usual opinions, are taken to be functionalized in the philosophy based on positivism. Interpretive philosophy shall be taken into use because it can be used to produce qualitatively analysed information and shall help to direct to analysing the usual opinions which shall not only analyse the real ambiguities that the managers of software process improvement faced, along with the directors of chosen organisations, have to face but shall also give proper facts that shall aid to fulfil the requirements of the research.

3.1.2 Objectivism and Subjectivism; Ontology
The two most used philosophies used otherwise are inclusive of subjectivism and objectivism and are usually recognized as ontology. Objectivism takes use of very successful methods to prove any phenomenon related to social science whereas subjectivism takes into use the arguments and bases opinions. From the former two, subjectivism is used in the research as the interviews shall be gathered and the varying personal opinions shall be collected and evaluated. This shall increase the support towards the research and shall aid in bringing genuine endings (Holden, 2004).

3.2 Research Approach

3.2.1 Deductive and Inductive Reasoning

Many a times researchers tend to avoid using techniques of researches which prove to be of significant importance. Two of those approaches are deductive and inductive approach of reasoning. Top down approach is the other name used for deductive approach. Inductive approach is also sometimes called bottom up method. Both of the above mentioned approaches are inverse to each other. The framework of inductive reasoning is based upon making a generalised conclusion by using particular information. The framework of deductive reasoning is based upon making a specific conclusion by using general stuff. The approach used in this study is inductive for the reason that information is collected from managerial and directorial staff and the further analysis is based upon the data collected from them. This will prove beneficial as it will help the researcher to extract data and he would not face difficulties in gathering data. The approach helps to provide assisting balance.

3.3 Research Design

3.3.1 Quantitative and Qualitative Research

Another method of conducting business research inculcates the usage of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Qualitative and quantitative methods of research are further attached to first hand and second hand techniques of data collection. When the research requires generalised responses from accomplices denoting the sample of research, it could then be defined as quantitative research which is used by the researcher.

The process begins with the collection of answers from the various respondents with the help of face-to-face interviews or surveys. The processing, analysing, and eventual discussion of these responses is then carried out. The size of the sample is rather small as very few participants are involved who are randomly queried (Wilson, 2003). Quantitative research utilizes facts that have been generated from large sample sizes. An analysis of the results is then carried out through various scientific methods and statistical tools (Mc Daniel and Gates, 2006). Such research methods are given higher importance because of being more systematic and therefore mathematical models or set statistical tools like ratios, percentages, median, mode, and mean. Quantitative research’s base can be substantiated but qualitative data largely depends on the feelings and behaviours of the target in study (Punch, 2005). This is why a quantitative research is being used for this study.

Qualitative Data: This involves the collection of information through various strong measures. For instance through the content analysis method, information can be compiled by the researchers which assists in the research. An analysis that was carried out in regard to the articles in justice and criminology indicated that less than 11% of the various articles that were present were reinforcing the usage of qualitative research methods (Tewksbury, DE Michele and Miller, 2005). Moreover, around 15% of the articles that had been written by certain journalists had been making use of qualitative instruments while carrying out the development of documents. (Tewksbury, DE Michele and Miller, 2005).

Quantitative Data: Quantitative research methods are utilized by scholars for verifying their findings and proving that they exist and are rather important. All the research parts are considered in this method. No limitations or constraints are present and therefore the set of population aspects can easily be studied. However, much difference exists in how data is collected under the 2 methods. While quantitative research is more focused on assessing respondents, qualitative research has a clear focus on feelings, beliefs, notions, and rational ideologies. Participants play a major role while the surveys, interviews, and observation stages are being carried out (Pearce, 2002).  Categories can be formed in regard to the diverse results that are obtained, alongside providing them quantitative values (Patton, 2002, pg.14). With this perspective in mind, quantitative research is being considered by the researcher as factual information in regard to the study will help in attaining its goals and objectives.

Moreover, the level of validity that is achieved as a result of utilizing this method further assists the researcher in attaining his/her desired outcome, which was also indicated by Joppe (2000). It implies that accuracy levels can be achieved by effectively aiming researches. Therefore, the aim and objective of the research assists in deducing valid outcomes that also define the importance of the results that have been obtained. (p.1)

3.4 Research Strategy

After taking into consideration the usage of SPI in SMEs, it was decided that causal empiricism would be the basis for this particular research. The factors surrounding the study premises are how the SMEs operate the processes related to SPI, their long term usage, the advantage as well as the disadvantages inherent in their business by use of SPI, and how their operations can be enhanced for delivering better products. Various research articles were also used for the collection of secondary data, alongside using globally published journals, internal data of SME, and the advice from experts. The organization’s perspective was used to serve as the primary data alongside the information collected through Directors, SPI Managers, and the technical staff that is engaged in SPI through interviews.

3.5 Data Collection           

The various methods that were used for the collection of data have been presented here:

3.5.1 Interviews

A number of things are incredibly important, for instance the fact that while data is being collected through the interview, there is not burden on the respondent and they are particularly interested in providing the interview. Therefore, it must be ensured that the respondent is brought in to be interviewed at a time of their convenience so that a good session can be carried out. A number of elements might lead to confusion in the mind of the respondent while answering the questionnaire and therefore interviews are carried out for fulfilling this deficiency by making the questionnaire be filled in front of the researchers or while the interview is being carried out. Chishnal (2005) also illustrated the same point that the researcher is assisted as a result of the interview’s nature as unlimited knowledge and ideas might be there. The types of interviews that are being used here are semi structured. For the purposes of interviews, the people being included are the managers, directors, and various other heads that have been operating in the supply chain for a long period of times. Special permission of the relevant authorities had to be taken for carrying this out. Certain facts about interviews are that they run in continuous flows, without giving much space to any psychological or social certainties (Wengraf, 2001, p. 1).

3.5.2 Questionnaire

The research purpose determines the questionnaire’s nature. The questionnaire once it has been developed, is rechecked and then updated, once its validity is reviewed. Questionnaireis comprises of two parts one is used to have a glance review of the SPI in SMEs other is used for detailed reposnse that pertains to the overall functioning of Software Process Improvement.

3.5.3 Experimental Method

A method for the evaluation of the different stages of alterations was put forward by Gorham and Wu (1996). This technique specifies that various experiments that involve the projectile dimensions are required. Once the acquisition of the information is carried out, every pulse’s spectra has been thoroughly evaluated. This particular technique was also further expanded by the works of Bacon and Brun (2000) where the length was not kept the same and was identified. The method was used when the bars ending points were provided heat. Through the employment of a process that involves two point measurements, the viscoelastic features of the materials were analysed.

3.5.4 Case Study Approach

This particular case study determination is highly favoured by Hancock and Algozzine’s (2006) and Yin (2003) through having a focus on constructive models. They believe that such models are not entirely true but rely greatly on distinctive viewpoints that are unaltered. These assist the researcher in acknowledging the views of the participants alongside their various preferences. These are mostly used when the focus is relating to a particular organization or a number of organizations and therefore is appears to be entirely relevant for the study under consideration and therefore useable by the researcher. The facts can be highlighted for the researcher regarding SCM of the companies taken into consideration, alongside assisting in the proper presentation of results. It will also be incredibly helpful in the extraction of data from the entire study easily. 3.6

3.6 Secondary And Primary Research

The basic methods of collecting data are primary data and secondary data that help the researcher in carrying out his research rather effectively. The latter is data that can be easily obtained by the researcher through utilizing various sources, and basically is an extension of the work already carried out in this regard. On the other hand, primary data is rather new and is collected by the researchers themselves. This enhances the research’s distinctiveness. Both the methods have been utilized for this study but more weightage is provided to primary data as it helps in a better analysis of the entire system.

 3.7 Research Validity

Joppe (2000) suggests the reliability indicated the correctness level of the results that have been generated over time as well as the population representation that was gathered through the research. The research techniques are regarded as dependable when the results that are achieved are in alignment with their validity.

The researcher has taken measures to calculate the major influences that this study might have in order to certify and conclude. The adequacy of the data gathered would be to the extent of its reliability. The validity of this study will come to a conclusion if the technique of the researcher can predict the directness of the results.

3.8 Time Frame And Limitations

Gathering data has always been a tedious task which is relatively time consuming, but if work is carried out with appropriate planning then it is highly likely that the task would be accomplished in time. The researcher of this study managed to gather the data with the help of effective planning in a period of three weeks. He booked appointments with the bank managers, and held interview sessions as per the availability of the managers. The researcher made certain that maximum data was collected without wastage of time and with utmost ease.

If data needs to be collected from an organization then it is essential that the purpose of the research works and the researcher’s credentials to be clearly specified. This is mainly due to the confidentiality reasons; the companies are mostly reluctant to share their details in public. For commencing with the research work, the permission of the higher authorities was obtained from two companies. The permission was granted, once the authorities were made aware of the purpose of the research. The researcher gave confirmation to the authorities that the information gathered would solely be used for academic purpose. The meeting schedule was finalized in such a manner that none of the daily routine activities of the employees were being disturbed.  The researcher was reasonably particular that the data gathered was from the most reliable resources, and for achieving this he carried out extensive research. The techniques used for the research purpose were the most common ones, with subject to certain limitations which were beyond the researcher’s power.