The Data Research Methods of Quantative Research

Within this day and age governmental departments in South Africa is expected to conduct and operate fluently without falter. This is not the case as sometimes mass one- way miss communication takes places which is interpreted by governmental stakeholders differently. This directly links students as a stakeholder of the government receiving financial aid form the department. The department of higher education and training is responsible for the funding of multiple bursaries namely: Funza Lushaka, NSFAS, and DMV etc. but in this particular case study only NSFAS will be looked at. Funded by one governmental department all these organisations have one thing in common, which is the lack of efficient two way communication. Communication issues has raised in the past which lead or resulted in unwanted problems. These unwanted problems stems from the department failing to communicate relevant information to students, the inability to provide answers and failing to accomplish deadlines said by the department itself.

With this in mind how will the department improve its communication channels to ensure that students that makes use of theses governmental facilities are accommodated, as well as efficient student response when it comes to notifying student of their bursary status? This case study will be conducted within and along 15 characteristics of quantitative research in order for it to be accurate and fair. The answers acquired through research will be integrated with these characteristics to come to a conclusion. According to Maree et al (2016:162), Quantitative research is a process that is systematic and objective in its ways of using numerical data from only a selected subgroup of people to generalise the finding to the specific objected being research. These are 15 characteristics that is discussed and correlate with various authors

• Sampling unit
• Generalisability
• Objectivity
• Knower and known are independent, a dualism
• Variables can be identified and relationships measured
• Prediction
• Manipulation and control
• Mainly numerical data or closed-end variables which can be subjected to statistical analyses
• Data Collection and Recording Methods
• Triangulation
• Data Analysis
• Conceptual Framework
• Seeks consensus, the norm
• Reduces data to numerical indices
• Primacy of method

Maree identified sampling. When conducting qualitative research effective sampling needs to take place as data have to be collected from some units. These units are students with the inability to financially support themselves and is relying on NSFAS to financially support them at public institutions. The current 2019 academic year NSFAS received over 400 000 applications. Knower and known are independent, a dualism. The fact is that we know that there are more then 400 000 applications, but what we do not know is how many students got feedback about their status. NSFAS operates on a policy that’s is strictly beneficial to a certain number of students, so we can only make speculation on the exact number. As we are using quantitative research it counts in our favour. Variables can be identified and relationships measured. These variables are the students awaiting for a response from NSFAS and the communication involved when contacting students. The relationship is the agreement that they have with their stakeholders. Prediction can be made as to NSFAS did respond to students or did not. The prediction of the case study links up to the hypnosis’s and is it answered. Manipulation and control take place in the form as rules and regulations which is in places to keep to the organisations rules. These are that only students from a rural area and financially unable is communicated through their web page. An agreement needs to come to fruition that is that NSFAS needs to improve their communication network. These characteristics below is discussed by (Bamberger, 2000:10-17).

Data Collection and Recording Methods

In quantitative research, information is usually collected and recorded either numerically or in the form of precoded categories. NSFAS communicates with students via their web page and personal messages. Taking this into mind the deadline of NSFAS regarding the end of applications and feedback is respectively the end of November 2018 and January 2019 and over 400 000 applicants awaits good news. Taking this as a estimated number is t=it save to say that we can use it along with the communication channels as a data collection method. Triangulation is necessary as it increasing the validity of the data by looking at different data expects over a period of time to improve the answers to the question at hand. Looking back NSFAS followed the same communication system over a 5 year period to communicate with students regarding there bursary status. Students had to call the NSFAS call centre to acquire the information they seek as it was not provided to them by the organisation.

Data Analysis

Quantitative methods for data analysis are most commonly analysed using descriptive statistical methods such as measures of dispersion or central tendency. When taking the above mentioned information into consideration is it easy to conclude that the pattern NSFAS is using is not work. This is the case as form 2019 NSFAS is acquired to respond to students within seven days after a three week period of assessing these documentation. Conceptual Framework In quantitative research, the researcher's conceptual framework usually leads to the formulation of hypotheses, which are then tested. The hypotheses is NSFAS will improve their communication network and system