The primary focus of the Unit 1 IP was to deliver a first draft of your research problem statement. Please read the comment boxes I’ve inserted in the rubric within your paper (attached).

IMPORTANT: You will be working within this Template for all Individual Projects in the course.

Next Steps: Remove my comments and the rubric I’ve inserted (attached) just before you submit your Unit 2 Individual Project. I’ll be adding new comments.

After reading your problem statement section, your reader should know WHY you are doing this study and be convinced of its importance. If you’ve gone over the word count or have more than one paragraph, consider that some of the content you’ve added in this section may belong in other sections.

Focus your one paragraph Problem Statement (250-350 words) so that it is the most clear, concise section of your document. Your final Problem Statement should have brevity and three distinct parts (in one paragraph): 1) the general problem, 2) the specific problem, and 3) an introductory description of your methodological approach.

The general problem identifies the need for the study and provides current statistics and research to support that the problem is real and exists currently. What is the overriding problem (in one sentence)? (Is it retention; inability to adapt to change; poor working conditions; inequities; poor conditions in health or economics, deficits; lack of evaluation of a program; conflict in: ethics, values, morals… etc.) Here is an example, “About 21-24% of American children and adolescents are overweight and another 16-18% are obese (NIH, 2010)”.

The specific problem for your research also should be proposed in the problem statement paragraph. Where is the problem found? (In Manufacturing; education; health administration; government; society; corporate America… etc.) Here is an example, “It is important to understand if the ‘Healthy Children’ program has helped reduce childhood obesity.”

The methodological approach (research design) should also be described here; but further elaborated on in the Research Method Rationale section. (You will tackle that section in Unit 4.) What needs to be done to solve the problem? (Survey; interview; create a new model; determine what experts believe; evaluate; meta-analyze, conduct an experiment; benchmark… etc.) What type of study will this be? Will your study be qualitative or quantitative? What type of methodology will you use? What type of data will you collect? Here is an example, “This mixed method case study will explore the efficacy of the Healthy Children program.”

Keep in mind that you will find that you will repeat yourself in other sections of the proposal. For example, the “Research Method Rationale” will further elaborate on your methodology and research design. What is the population and sample that are affected by this problem? The general population of the proposed study should also be identified. Here is an example, “Stakeholders in the Healthy Children program in Baltimore, Maryland will be enrolled in this study.”

Abstract

[Insert an abstract of no more than 150 words to summarize the study problem, purpose, variables or constructs, method choice rationale, and plans to conduct the review of the literature. Note: The title page and Abstract page have no page numbers. The Introduction begins as page 1. Be sure to remove all red template instructional content as you prepare your Research Prospectus draft.]

[CTU Research Prospectus Template v4.0 June 2021]

ii

Introduction

Many people have a hard time juggling work and family life in today's ever-busier work environment. Roopavathi and Kulothungan (2021) pointed out that a lot of people have been looking for work-life balance, which is also called work-life balance (WLB). However, very few have found a meaning or term that fits. It's about changing the way people work so that they can do other things, like taking care of their kids or elderly relatives, at the same time. WLB does not mean that there is an equal amount of money. WLB is a mix of interactions between different parts of a person's life. The benefits and drawbacks of that imbalance can affect many different parts of society. The drawbacks caused by the WLB will affect both the employee and the employer. These drawbacks could have a bad effect on the employee's job and life satisfaction, mental well-being, physical health, and how well they do their job at their job at their company. Similarly, Kohll (2018, March 27) cautioned that People who have a good work-life balance are more likely to have a good work environment. People who keep a good work-life balance don't get stressed out and don't get burned out at work. It is one of the most common illnesses in the workplace to be stressed out for a long time. Stress can cause hypertension, digestive problems, chronic aches and pains, and heart problems in the body. Also, long-term stress can hurt the way your mind works. It can make you more likely to be depressed and anxious as well as sleepless. The focus of this study will be to identify factors that lead to WLB issues across all agencies. The results identified by this study will help stakeholders to make sound decisions regarding WLB among its employees.

Study Problem

The problem to be addressed in this quantitative study is the lack of flexibility to balance work and home life by photographers during the pandemic in San Antonio. When the Employees starts complaining that they are not able to attend activities or functions for their children or personal problem, it is understandable that workers are stressed out as they strive to keep up with the demands of their professions and the needs of their families (Kossek, & Lautsch, 2018). A more harmonious work-life balance could be achieved when one is able to work and at the same time maintain participate in helpful and required social activities. A balanced work life necessitates adaptability. Finding a good work-life balance promotes the concept of workplace flexibility. The experience of the researcher had it that Employees are more productive when their employers allow them to work flexible hours, work from home, and work in various locations. Employees sometimes need their respective authorities to show understanding when it comes to taking unexpected time out because of personal reasons or unforeseen circumstances Comment by Thiry, Katie: As proven by???

Many firms, institutions, and companies struggle with staff retention. This struggle is prevalent in professional disciplines like IT and others (Hoanca & Craig, 2019). Therefore, offering some degree of flexibility to employees (among other incentives) might be helpful. Employers should begin by offering accommodating schedule to both full and part-time employees, while at the same time, ensuring that the core needs of the company are satisfied. Flexibility in the schedule can sometimes be misused by employees, but the common understanding that both parties must work to achieve the goal of the company will help to save money in terms of human costs. Employer-sponsored insurance does not have to be made available to part-time workers (Chung, & Van der Lippe, 2020). Also, they are not compensated for overtime. Part-time workers have an easier time juggling their professional and personal lives because of the fewer hours they work.

Allowing employees to set their work schedules may also benefit a company. When employees have options rather than being told when they should be working, they may better manage their personal life. Even though it varies by industry, some businesses might let their employees set their work hours. The chance to set up one’s schedule is a highly sought-after privilege in the business world.

Study Purpose

The purpose of the quantitative research approach/design is to evaluate the potential ways of ensuring flexibility to balance work and home life during the pandemic by photographers in San Antonio. Maintaining a healthy work environment necessitates that employee strike a solid work-life balance. It is also crucial to the productivity of the employees (Alarcon et al., 2021). Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is critical for avoiding burnout and lowering stress. Anxiety disorders, such as persistent stress, are quite common in the workplace. High blood pressure, digestive difficulties, prolonged discomfort, and cardiac issues are all side effects of an inhospitable work environment. Chronic stress has been linked to depression, anxiety, and insomnia. The effects of a stressful workplace can have profound consequences for one's mental health. Burnout happens in the workplace when people are subjected to prolonged periods of high stress. Employees who work a lot of overtime hours risk being burned out. Exhaustion, mood swings, impatience, and a decrease in work production are all symptoms of burnout. A favorable work environment can enhance creativity and ensure that ideas flourish to the point of realizing ground breaking discoveries(Maestre, 2019) . Comment by Thiry, Katie: How will you translate this into “research”?

Sampling method

Sampling is a method of data reduction (Tagawa, 2020). Stratified sampling will be used in the research for photographers in San Antonio. Stratified sampling is a probability tool that is used in surveys (Parsons, 2014). It is the sampling type that is needed in a statistically represented study (Napolitano et al., 2018). The method will help in grouping the photographers for analysis and presentation of issues relating to work and home life. The sampling method can minimize errors without compromising the accuracy of the evaluation to be made (Yu et al., 2019). The general population is separated into groups with comparable features, known as strata, because of this strategy. Use it when different subgroups may have varied interests and you want to ensure that all of them are represented. By removing sample bias, stratified sampling increases the accuracy and representativeness of the results. The issue is that it requires knowledge of the necessary sampling frame properties (details of which are not always readily available), and it is difficult to decide which qualities to stratify by. A stratified sample of the same size as a random sample can produce more accurate results. In some circumstances, smaller sample size is needed to provide the same level of precision as a stratified sample, hence the latter is preferred. In addition to reducing the researcher's effect, this strategy produces a more representative sample by eliminating researcher bias.

Proposed sample size

A sample is a subset of the population used in the study. The population cannot be accessed during the research process, therefore, a representation of the population, the sample is used during the research. The sample is the selected group of entities that the researcher uses to collect data and is less that the population.

The sample size is expected to be 30 photographers both employers and employees from across San Antonio with special reference to those in company X.

Data collection method

Interviews will be the data collection method applied in this research. This is an excellent approach to obtaining data on the issue of work and home balance for photographers in San Antonio. The method is good since it can incorporate the feelings and opinions of the photographers in San Antonio during the pandemic, and it is possible to gather quotes useful in striking a balance between home and work life. The interviews will be casual and formal depending on the situations at hand. The interviews will present details about work and home life for the photographers in the region.

Data analyst software

Business intelligence (BI) software is one of the most widely used types of data analysis. These business analytics-specific tools will be useful for any data analyst responsible for acquiring, interpreting, and reporting critical results. Predictive analytics, self-service, and complex SQL modes enable these systems to scale to any level of comprehension without requiring extensive IT intervention. Analysts can identify trends and make tactical decisions by presenting a wide range of key features. Business intelligence is a must-have element for any data analytics tool list, and data pine is suitable for both novice and advanced users. This all-in-one platform promises to make the entire analysis process more efficient and time efficient.

Research Question

[One overarching research question will guide the study. An introduction to the question will be offered here and the question will be formatted as a Level 2 APA header as shown below. Clear alignment must be demonstrated between the problem, purpose, and research question.]

The study research question….

Q1

What strategies can be implemented for employees to balance their work life during COVID-19 to ensure flexibility to balance work and home life? Comment by Thiry, Katie: “…strategies can be implemented for employees”? This would simply provide a list vs become a research study?

Hypothesis(es)

[Hypotheses are required for quantitative and mixed methods studies as well as for design science studies where quantitative testing is needed. If the study involves multiple hypotheses, sub-research questions are required above to align with each hypothesis. Variables introduced in the Study Purpose must be labeled verbatim to how they were introduced above to ensure alignment. Both a null followed by an alternate hypothesis are required and hypothesis headers are formatted as Level 2 APA headers. No introduction is required before the hypotheses.]

H10

That a flexible work environment will yield numerous advantages for both employer and employee.

H1A

[Phrasing for each alternate hypothesis must be the identical contrast to the null and align with the traditions and conventions of the study method choice].

Propositions

[Propositions are required only for design science studies. If the study involves multiple propositions, sub-research questions are required above to align with each proposition. Variables introduced in the Study Purpose must be labeled verbatim to how they were introduced above to ensure alignment. No introduction is required before the proposition(s). [NOTE: If you are not doing a design science study, delete this entire section.]

Research Method Rationale

[The Research Methods Rationale section will present a continuation of the brief method rationale from the Study Purpose section above to fully describe the research traditions and paradigmatic perspectives that justify the choice of the research method and design/approach as appropriate to address the study problem. In addition, provide a justification for how and why the method choice and research design/approach align with the degree program discipline and area of concentration as supported by the current scholarship of the respective discipline.]

The research method selected for this study is…

Review of the Literature Plan

[This section will begin with a brief introductory paragraph followed by a topical outline to present the primary areas of research as aligned with the study problem to be explored within the literature review. Be sure to consider the theoretical, conceptual, and seminal writings with an emphasis on empirical peer-reviewed literature as well as pertinent grey literature (e.g., government reports, white papers, conference proceedings, policy documents), as you categorically plan out the areas of the literature to be reviewed for the dissertation study. The topical outline will be fo