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Part 1: Construct Development and Creation
This study will analyze the job satisfaction of information technology workers of Louisiana libraries.
Operational Definition
According to Certin (2006), job satisfaction is measured in terms of the motivation of employees towards performing the respective job. In this regard, high motivation implies that the employees are motivated to do a particular job and vice versa. In his research, Goetting (2004) indicates that the level of employee satisfaction regarding job security, compensation, relationship with peers, relationship with supervisors and availability of the opportunities for individual growth also define job satisfaction. Finally, Barak and Levin (2002) assert that the perception of the company policies by the employees is also used to define job satisfaction. In this respect, employees perceiving company policies positively tend to be more satisfied with their jobs than those that perceived the respective policies negatively.
The five items that would be employed in sampling the domain include: sense of belongingness, feeling of acceptance, job autonomy, promotion opportunities, role variables and personality factors. The scaling method employed would be a likert scale comprising of figures one to five. Score one would imply that the employee is least satisfied while score five would imply that s/he is most satisfied. The choice of this scaling method was based on various factors. Normally, these figures best represent the strength or weakness of an individual’s feelings than any other method. The relative interpretations are more expansive and can therefore be considered conclusive. Moreover, it is easier to collect data with this kind of scaling than any mother type. Finally, this would be an interview that would be carried out to Information technology employees in Louisiana libraries.
Part 2: Analysis and Justification
The development of his instrument put in consideration a host of factors that are related to the population in different ways. The main reason for this was to ensure that all variables that constitute job satisfaction are addressed accordingly. Arguably, this would enhance the attainment of conclusive results. As aforementioned, job satisfaction in the Information Technology sector is defined by various variables. This instrument would be given to sixty employees that are working in the various libraries in Louisiana. The choice of this figure was based on the recognition that it is representative of all the information technology workers working in the respective areas. Since there are thirty libraries, each with a distinct Information Technology (IT) department; two individuals from each IT department would be picked upon to be represented in the main sample.
During the choice of this sample, there are various other factors that would be considered to ensure that the ultimate data is representative of all the dynamics of the study. The participants would be required to have worked for the respective institutions for a minimum of thee years. This would be useful in ensuing that the information that they provide is based on informed thought. Fundamentally, working for an organization for this specific period of time gives an individual sufficient time to determine whether they are satisfied with the job or not. After this period of time, the respective employee can be in the best position to make informed and objective decisions regarding his or her experience at the wok place.
Then, this sample would also constitute both White individuals and persons of color. The IT individuals from African descent and Asian descent would also be included in the sample accordingly. In this egad, it can not be disputed that individuals from different racial backgrounds tend to have varied experiences. Their perceptions of various social issues also differ considerably and are greatly influenced by various social, economic and cultural factors. Psychological studies ascertain that these influence the perception of job satisfaction by the employees in different fields. Capturing the varied cultural, educational, social and economic orientations would be vitally important in informing the study accordingly.
Then, the sample would also constitute individuals of different gender. Just as individuals from different racial backgrounds, men have different perceptions of social concerns from their female counterparts. For instance, they establish different types of relationships accord the respective relationships varied meanings. Their leadership approaches and the way in which they address emergent issues also differ considerably. Capturing this in the study would be vital in ensuing that all concerns of both genders in relation to job satisfaction are addressed effectively.
The respondents also need to be IT specialists who have worked for their departments for a reasonable period of time. Reasonableness with regard to employment period would be based on having worked for the department for a minimum of three years. With respect to being IT professionals, this would be important in ensuring that the decisions that are made are also based on a clear understanding of the challenges that individuals in the sector grapple with. Usually, each specialized field tends to have its own challenges that professionals are accustomed to. They have devised certain methods to deal with them that other professionals do not either understand or appreciate.
Educational level is another aspect that would be considered during the choice of the sample. In this regard, the individuals would be expected to have a minimum qualification of s diploma in Information Technology. In this respect, it is worth appreciating that education is vitally important in influencing attitudes and general decision making. Education imparts in an individual important skills and knowledge that are useful for critical decision making. The ability to it to influence attitudes implies that professionals would perceive and approach a problem from varied perceptions. Individuals with the preceding qualifications would undoubtedly understand the complexities of this field as well as the challenges that professionals experience. Coupled with sufficient experience, these individuals would be in the best position to highlight as well as expound on their job satisfaction levels. Further, holders of a diploma understand the standards and regulations that are used to define job satisfaction in the field of specification.
With regard to the age, participants would be required to be above twenty three years of age. At this age, they would probably have sufficient experience to address the relative issues in an objective manner. At twenty three years old, the individuals would also have had sufficient education. The sample would also constitute older individuals that have a different and more objective perception of the issues under review. Furthermore, older individuals would probably have more experience in this particular field. Capturing the relative varied perceptions would be instrumental in making the study more comprehensive as well as conclusive.
Finally, the compensation of the participants was also put in consideration. This is because job satisfaction is greatly influenced by the aspects of compensation. Empirical studies indicate that individuals that have a higher or adequate compensation package are in most instances more satisfied with their jobs than their counterparts. Compensation packages in this regard would range from a monthly pay of $40,000 to $70,000. The main aim would be to determine how the rate of compensation affects job satisfaction and employee retention.
To enhance reliability and validity of the data that would be collected, it would be important to ensure that the participants or respondents satisfy the above mentioned criterion. In addition, it would be important to ensure that participation is voluntary and the individuals are given sufficient time to fill in the information. Evaluation would be done to ensure that the information provided is consistent with the job conditions as well as several other factors including the social and economic statuses of the employees. Also, the researcher would retest the interview schedule after a distinct period of time. This will go a long way in confirming the initial results and ensuring that the data collected is valid and reliable.
In sum, this study evaluates whether the IT professionals in Louisiana libraries are satisfied with their jobs. Various variables would be employed in determining this. In particular, various facets such as relationship with supervisor and peers, compensation levels, working conditions, company policies and opportunities for growth and promotion would be assessed. The likert scale would also be used and the respondents would be interviewed. Further, various factors such as age, education levels, compensation levels and gender would be considered during the choice of the sample. Finally, retests would be done to determine the validity and reliability of the data collected.
References
Barak, M. & Levin, A. (2002). Outside of the corporate mainstream and excluded from the work community: A study of diversity, job satisfaction and wellbeing. Community, Work & Family, 5 (2), 133-157
Certin, M. (2006). The relationship between job satisfaction, occupational and organizational commitment of academics. The Journal of American Academy of Business, 8 (1), 78-88.
Goetting, D. (2004). Attitude and job satisfaction in Louisiana library workplaces. Louisiana Libraries, 67 (1), 12-17
Appendix:
Interview Schedule for Determining the Level of Satisfaction of IT Employees in Louisiana Libraries.
Instruction: Circle Accordingly
a) Level of sense of belongingness
1 2 3 4 5
b) Level of acceptance
1 2 3 4 5
c) Feelings of Job Autonomy
1 2 3 4 5
d) Satisfaction with the job roles
1 2 3 4 5
e) Satisfaction with other personality factors
1 2 3 4 5
