A Critical Study of the Micro and Macro Economic Factors Shaping the SMES Business Environment

CHAPTER 03: METHODOLOGY

This research was based on the following aims:

To evaluate the importance of SMEs

To analyze the contributions of SMES to an economy

To determine different micro and macro economic factors affecting SMEs

To understand the strategic role of SMEs in Dubai

The research has relied on the use of quantitative data in order to attain research objectives. Data gathered for this research will be related to the performance of SMEs in Dubai. The use of quantitative research methodology has allowed the researcher to gather objective facts related to SMEs in Dubai.

This chapter will present an overview of methodology adopted for this research. There are two research methodologies that are available for studies. These include quantitative and qualitative research. In some studies, mixed research methodology is also used that involves both quantitative and qualitative research methodology. Qualitative research methodology involves the subjective evaluation of a topic. On the other side, quantitative research methodology involves objective analysis of a topic. Quantitative research methodology relies on the use of number and statistics. This research has adopted quantitative research methodology because it reduces subjectivity and brings objectivity to a study.

3.1 Quantitative Research Methodology

Different researchers have presented different definitions of quantitative research. Quantitative research is the numeric representation of data in order to describe different processes (Du & Kamakura, 2012, pp. 514).

Quantitative research methodology has been adopted for this research in order to carryout objective evaluation of the topic. Quantitative research methodology has been chosen for this research because it is projective in nature in a way that allows the researcher to understand the inner feelings and sub conscious attitudes of participants. The projective nature of quantitative research also enables participants to communicate information to the researcher (Armstrong, 2001, pp. 259). This research has relied on quantitative research methodology in order to find the objective facts regarding the importance of SMEs in Dubai. Quantitative research methodology focuses on objective measurements and numerical analysis of data. The research focuses on gathering numerical data and generalizing it across people (Holland, Burgess Grogan-Kaylor & Delva, 2011, pp. 689).

In quantitative research methodology, empirical evaluations are used. Empirical evaluations aim to determine the extent to which a factor fulfills a norm or a standard. In another definition, quantitative research methodology has been defined as a process that involves the collection of numeric data and the analysis of data through mathematical models (Dawson, 2002).

In order to understand quantitative research methodology, it is important to evaluate the definition step by step. The first element of quantitative research methodology is the explanation of phenomena. The explanation of phenomena is a critical step in both quantitative and qualitative studies. Another part of the definition of quantitative research is the collection of numeric data. In quantitative research methodology, researchers rely on the use of numeric data. The analysis in this methodology is based on mathematical models (Creswell, 2012).

Quantitative research methodology is also used when the researcher wants to test ...