We base our work on sound evidence. Hence, we take our research work very seriously. As (ex) university lecturers, we are enthusiasts in combining various research approaches in order to develop reliable and valid conclusions. Some situations demand an in-depth approach, so we use software for statistical analysis or tools for qualitative data analysis. But projects are much more than purely academic outputs. Visualization, infographics and interesting reports are needed to motivate users for reading findings.
Our focus is to integrate empirical inquiry into our projects and to find a fitting research approach to research questions.
We are experts in
- quantitative approach to research, e.g.: development of questionnaires, data analysis and interpretation of data. Regardless of measures (job satisfaction, optimism, growth mindset, product desirability), we construct or use valid and reliable questionnaires. For example, we explored the learning needs of selected secondary school teachers and identified their expectations concerning international in-service training. We have researched the entrepreneurial competencies of young people and explored various dimensions of emotional intelligence in the workplace. Sometimes outputs are not well determined. That was the case in research on the basic skills of low-skilled employees where a new methodology was developed from scratch.
- qualitative approach to research, e.g.: focus groups, individual and group interviews, content analysis. For example, we successfully apply an ethnographic approach to customer observation in a process of design thinking. In the project of skills of local food producers, we interviewed some of the more successful. Sometimes groups know more. We have chosen focus groups when we tried to identify the most important skills of future social entrepreneurs. With this method, we successfully determined needs of our customers in the process of brand extension. In two of our projects on entrepreneurship, we have developed tools and templates for interviews with immigrant entrepreneurs and experts in the area of entrepreneurship education. We have also conducted some of these with experts in Slovenia. In some cases, a good starting point or an added value to project activities is collecting existing good practices. This was the case in the project related to young teachers, nurses, and social workers.
- mixed research approaches, e.g.: integration of observation and questionnaires in research. For example, we pair focus groups and surveys into our competence models research. A very common approach is a combination of interviews and surveys. With interviews we determine key areas and gain insights. Surveys help us to measure the status of those key areas and plan further outputs. With individual interviews, paired with employee surveys, we successfully evaluated employee satisfaction with management.
