Business Research Terms and Concepts Argumentative

The Workers’ Compensation Experience: A Qualitative Exploration of Workers’ Beliefs Regarding the Impact of the Compensation System on Their Recovery and Rehabilitation and A Comparative Study between Army Civilian Workforce and Private Industry Workforce Workers’ Compensation Claims Management, pertaining to worker’s compensation will be analyzed. This paper will identify the statistical method used in each article, the strengths and weaknesses of each sampling method, instrument design and appropriate situations, strengths and weaknesses of each statistical approach, and which method works best in the Human Resources field. Article Summary

The first article, The Workers’ Compensation Experience: A Qualitative Exploration of Workers’ Beliefs Regarding the Impact of the Compensation System on Their Recovery and Rehabilitation, uses qualitative research to investigate the psychosocial elements of workplace injury and disability. It also aims to understand the relationship between the compensation environment and injured workers and implies that the compensation environment may have a negative effect on the psychological wellbeing of injured workers. The study used ethnographic interviewing to gain insight from injured workers about the relationships included in the occupational areas. Perceived injustice emerged as a potentially important area for further research in enhancing the outcomes of the compensable injury (Wall et al. 2009).

The second article, A Comparative Study between Army Civilian Workforce and Private Industry Workforce Workers’ Compensation Claims Management, uses quantitative research to compare the worker’s compensation case management processes between the Army civilian workforce and the private sector in an effort to improve the Army’s current processes and cut worker’s compensation expenditures. The study reviews three main areas, including the Army’s current worker’s compensation program and procedures, the description of a gold standard private industry worker’s compensation program and procedures, and assessment of the expenses and results of both parties. The study concluded that the Army should collect total cost spent, and total cost saved on each claim, as well as streamline their program and policies effective in all of their related organizations and offices (Hart, 2014). Sampling Strengths and Weaknesses

The first study used judgment sampling that is a type of non-probability sampling in its research study. This design is ideal for research studies that require a biased group for research in a particular subject. However, as with all non-probability sampling methods, it may not fully represent the population (Cooper & Schindler, 2014). The second study used simple random sampling method. This method is the purest form of probability sampling. It provided an unbiased representation of the population. The group represents an unbiased selection because everyone has an equal chance of being chosen. However, this method requires can be very time-consuming and expensive and require a larger sample size than other methods in this category (Cooper & Schindler, 2014). Instruments and Design Situations

The first study pertaining to the worker’s compensation experience used ethnographic interviewing to gain insight from injured workers about the relationships included in the occupational areas. According to the article, ethnographic approaches produce data rich in detail, and it relates to the anthropological method of describing the local point of view (Wall et al. 2009). The participants were selected based on if the injury occurred within the last five years and had participated in at least one vocational rehabilitation program within the preceding 24 from the date of injury. The article related to the Army civilian workforce used a computerized system to randomly select workers’ compensation files by specific variables including, injury type, injury file date, workplace location, and total cost of the injury (Hart, 2014). This method was appropriate for this study because the purpose of the study was to improve the Army’s current processes and cut worker’s compensation expenditures. Hence, it was not required to survey the injured individuals. Statistical Approach Strengths and Weaknesses

Descriptive and inferential statistical methods are used for different objectives, and each has its set of strengths and weaknesses. Descriptive statistics is used by decision makers to summarize and describe data so that it may be easily understood. This method uses various graphical techniques, such as graphs, pies, and charts (Wienclaw, 2014). Using this method only allows researchers to make assumptions on the specific population the research is measuring and cannot be used to make assumptions on other groups (Lund Research Ltd., 2013). Inferential statistics is useful to management personnel because it helps them solve complex business problems by drawing conclusions and defining the data collected instead of just describing the data (Wienclaw, 2014). This method has two central weaknesses. The first is that the data provided is on a population that has not been fully measured, and, therefore, cannot be certain that statistical data is correct. Inferential statistics also require the researcher to make assumptions based on the theory to conduct the tests (Lund Research Ltd., 2013). Combined Approach

Both research studies mentioned would benefit from the use of both statistical methods because each method compensates for the other method’s shortcomings. Since both articles only used one method they lack the benefits of the other method. Best Method in the Workplace

Inferential statistics would work best in the Human Resources field because it is used to help decision makers solve complex business problems. This method also helps management determine the significance of the data collected rather than just describing it (Wienclaw, 2014). There are many complex and sensitive business problems that arise in HR departments; therefore, the inferential statistics method would be a useful tool to decision makers. Conclusion

The Workers’ Compensation Experience: A Qualitative Exploration of Workers’ Beliefs Regarding the Impact of the Compensation System on Their Recovery and Rehabilitation and A Comparative Study between Army Civilian Workforce and Private Industry Workforce Workers’ Compensation Claims Management used different statistical methods to analyze the business problem related to worker’s compensation; however, both studies would have benefited from a combined approach because it would have provided more complete data that could have produced better solutions. It was determined that inferential statistics would work best in the HR field because this method is used to help decision makers analyze and define complex business problems.

References

Cooper, D. & Schindler, P. (2014). Business Research Methods (12th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Hart, M. C. (2014). A Comparative Study between Army Civilian Workforce and Private Industry Workforce Workers’ Compensation Claims Management. (Order No. 1555144, Eastern Kentucky University). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, , 45. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1530474944?accountid=458. (1530474944). Lund Research Ltd. (2013). FAQs – Descriptive and Inferential Statistics. Retrieved from https://statistics.laerd.com/statistical-guides/descriptive-inferential-statistics-faqs.php Wall, C. L., Morrissey, S. A., & Ogloff, J. P. (2009). The Workers’ Compensation Experience: A Qualitative Exploration of Workers’ Beliefs Regarding the Impact of the Compensation System on Their Recovery and Rehabilitation. International Journal Of Disability Management, 4(2), 19-26. doi:10.1375/jdmr.4.2.19 Wienclaw, R. A. (2014). Statistical Principles for Problem Solving. Statistical Principles For Problem Solving — Research Starters Business, 1-6.