**3.1 Research design and sampling**

An exploratory study of professionals in the pathology sector was conducted. The study was conducted in three phases. In the first phase, psychometric instruments were used to assess the characteristics of interest. 116 professionals from 3 different locations completed the questionnaires. The relationship between the independent and dependent variables were calculated. The second and third phases were qualitative in nature and consisted of interviews with the mentioned professionals (in total 15) and their managers (in total 3). All the questionnaires and interviews were directed at identifying antecedents to retention.

The two main research questions which needed to be answered were based on retention of these human assets:

