The document outlines a sociology dissertation focusing on evaluating SME policy implementation networks in Dublin 15, Ireland, using a mixed-method approach of quantitative and qualitative analyses. It discusses the importance of mitigating bias in research to enhance the validity of the findings and highlights that the literature review centers on cooperation among policy actors rather than business studies. The study aims to contribute to understanding social capital within the context of small and micro businesses.

1. SOCIOLOGY
DISSERTATION
LENGTH
SAMPLE
Evaluating the Impact of SME
Policy in Ireland
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2. Research Design
The proposed study design for this dissertation is a flexible and
convenient to use mixed method design that uses both quantitative and
qualitative methods for analysis and data collection in order to understand,
and later evaluate policy implementation networks for SMEs in Ireland,
especially those that concern the Dublin 15 area.
This approach was implemented for two reasons. First, resource and
time constraints. Second, the literature reviewed for this dissertation showed
that this approach would be able to offer better answers to the questions that
are asked. This method was also important in order to serve as a basis of the
complementary nature of the used methods for answering the inquiry. For
instance, qualitative methods were initially required for use during content
analysis of documents which were produced by the Department of Trade,
Employment, and Enterprise, as well as the European Commission. However, a
quantitative method is also given towards the treatment of the relationships
which are being investigated, including voluntary and mandatory cooperation
for implementation of policy.
Bias Statement
There was never an argument that bias happens when random and non-
random errors are not acknowledged or accepted by the researcher at any
time during her work, such as during the measurement, design, procedure,
sampling, or problem choice to be studied. Bias is associated with the
accuracy of the produced information, as well as the validity and reliability
which may also be unnecessarily sacrificed.
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Introduction

3. Grimm and Hammer (1999), however, emphasize the point that non-
foundationalist realism is not appropriate because it does not rely on the
foundational epistemology, as well as on standpoint and relativist theory. Its
purpose is to favor knowledge production instead of a personal or political
agenda. As established by these authors, foundationalism makes bias an
evident concern in a research when the ideological commitment of a
researcher is identified as impacting the procedures involved in research, thus
compromising the potential output that is expected.
In this dissertation paper, in a perspective of a foundationalist, biases
are determined, especially those that could potentially compromise the
commitment of knowledge production. However, since this is not an action
research, the methodologies that are applied for inquiry, focusing on policy
implementation networks focuses on controlling for potential bias that arises
from the personal point of view of the researcher. Taking these features into
consideration, one of the methods used comes in the form of qualitative
approach, considering the representations of the respondents via a
qualitative content analysis, as well as qualitative techniques used in a social
network evaluation (Bahn, 2007).
After data generation, they were treated using quantitative techniques
in data analysis and were changed into an algebraic formula reflecting the
responses given, whether a certain connection exists between two actors or
more or not, and if the connection is reciprocal. This does not mean, however,
that social network analysis will prove to be a complete assurance of
credibility and validity, as return rates of questionnaire and responses may
indeed compromise it. However, it is hoped that the evident weaknesses on
this work are derivative out of the extremely limited time afforded to students.
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4. DissertationLength.com
Literature Review
This research does not focus on business studies, but a sociological
study involving cooperation among policy implementation players that will
benefit small and micro businesses in Ireland. The literature involving an
organization life cycle has been discovered to be the most appropriate in
order to potentially define the size of a certain business. However, it is very
important to take note that professionals who are used to working with
businesses can find their personal ways of defining the size of businesses,
and may also disagree from the models which were created and used widely
to date (Marion, 2010). In order to completely understand the main structures
that sustain the theories behind social capital, doing an additional study on
other classic literature and their impact on the subject would also prove to be
helpful.
References
Bahn, Y. (2007). The stories behind enterprises – the social structure from
within. Business Today Journal, 21(2), 12-14.
Grimm, P. & Hammer, T. (1999). Understanding the downturns of business –
individualism and structural targets, The Daily Access, 12(6), 56-68.
Marion, O. (2010). The social status of businesses in Ireland: Things need to
know. Business Insider, 12(2), 45-46.
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