Introduction
Three main techniques are generally used to collect primary data such as survey research, direct measurement, and observation (Rea and Parker 2005). Secondary research is a fourth way of data collection. In this research, the technique of secondary research is used as a complement to the survey research process. The secondary research helps to prepare the survey research instrument, so it would be explained first, and thereafter the survey methodology.
Johnson (2001) uses the term “survey research” to refer to almost any form of descriptive, quantitative research. However, the process of survey research consists of collecting information about one or more groups of people about their characteristics, opinions, attitudes or previous experiences by questioning them and tabulating their answers. The final goal is to learn about a large population by surveying sample of that population, also known as descriptive or normative survey.
Through the survey research process, opinions are obtained with defined and determinable reliability. Surveys are generally simple in design. There are a series of questions asked to participants, and then their responses are summarized with percentages, frequency counts and other statistical indexes (Leedy and Ormrod 2005).
Based on the responses from the sample, inferences can be drawn about the population.
This type of research captures a fleeting moment in time.
According to Rea and Parker (2005), some of the different stages in survey research are as follows:
1. Identifying focus of the study and method of research, determining the research schedule and budget;
2. Establishing an information base;
3. Determining the sample frame, sample size and sample selection;
4. Designing the survey instrument and pre-testing it;
5. Implementing the survey;
6. Coding the completed questionnaires and computerizing the data; and, 7. Analyzing the data and preparing the final report.
Selection of method
Use of survey methodology was suggested based on the research objectives, number of contractor firms available, and the fact that data is spread out in a vast sample. Since descriptive research investigates a situation without changing or modifying the situation under study, this study could fall under this category. Figure 2 below explains how the survey process helps to obtain data and the stages through which the process takes place.
Figure 2. Model of survey data collection (Source : Czaja and Blair 2005)
Studies were done to examine existing sources of data as a first step in the research process to take advantage of information that may have already been collected. This will enable to shed light on the study. Secondary information can be found in libraries and websites of government organizations and private foundations. The information obtained from such sources helps to create the knowledge base needed to put forth the survey questionnaires. It also gives more insight to issues found in the literature review. This particular section is also known as the information base.
Population of study
Four hundred and fifty contractors involved in reconstruction projects were identified for the study. The survey was administered to participants in commercial construction firms.
To sample this population, online websites like the Associated General Contractors of America’s website and The Blue Book were consulted. The Department of Construction Science at Texas A&M University has a list of companies associated with its Construction Industry Advisory Council. This list was also used to get the contact information of some of the contractors. Surveys were sent out to a total of 450 contractors in the following seven states: Texas, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Sample size
To determine the number of questionnaires to be sent, the sample size was calculated using the following formula (Montgomery and Runger 2003):
2
where: n = the number of respondents;
Zα2 = values for a particular level of confidence coefficient;
E = variability or bound error;
p= proportion of contractors actually facing problems in post-hurricane reconstruction.
As a conservative approach, =50% is considered to be an acceptable value. Using p E=10% and a confidence value of 80%, Z=1.28 since we are having a confidence level
of 80%. Substituting these values into the formula, gives us a number of responses (n) that are needed. Here, n = 41.
Rate of response
For similar surveys conducted among contractors, the expected rate of response of the survey was about 25-30% (Arditi and Chotibhongs 2005; Vidogah and Ndekugri 1997; Cox et al. 2003). When enough responses were not received via emails, follow-up phone calls were made (Dillman 2000). Assuming a conservative rate of response of only 10%, a sample of four hundred and fifty was used.
Preparation of questionnaire
The questionnaire was formulated based on a literature review. The literature review identified the problems to be considered in this study as relevant to a post-hurricane scenario. The questionnaire began with a few screening questions. Related questions were placed together within the questionnaire so that the respondent can focus and concentrate on specific issues without distraction. Table 4 describes the format of the questionnaire in a concise manner. In the questionnaire (Appendix B), questions one to three were mainly filtering questions. Then onwards, there were six questions which addressed the problems in post-hurricane reconstruction. They answer part two of the research objectives. Each of these six questions has a second part to it, which addresses research objectives three and four. Question ten is directed to answer research objective three. The second part to this question is addressed towards objective four. The next question deals with the first research objective where in we are trying to rank the different problems faced by the contractors. This question incorporates modifications to
the problems in reconstruction projects that Atalla and Hegazy (2003) used in their research. The next six questions are addressed towards answering research objective three. Question fourteen is an open-ended venting question, where the responder is asked to add any information, opinion or comment that he thinks is relevant to the study (Rea and Parker 2005).
Table 4. Questionnaire format
Question No. Total questions Name Closed-ended Open-ended
1,2,3 3 Filtering 1 2 4,5,6,7,8,9 12 Problems 6 6 10 2 Project delivery 1 1 11 1 Ranking of problem 1 0 12 2 Additional problems 1 1 13 2 Clauses 1 1 14 2 Unmentioned 1 1
Research hypotheses
The research focuses on the problems faced in post-hurricane reconstruction projects by various contractors. The Part “a” of Questions numbers 4 to 9 addresses the following hypotheses.
Notations used are H0 for null hypothesis and H1 for the alternative hypothesis.
Suppose P represents the set of six problems- Site logistics, material transportation, labor supply, getting building permits for different construction purposes, political
influences in the hurricane affected areas and site location (proximity to highways, wealthy or poor neighborhoods).
For all contractors, problem p P∈ and the following hypotheses will be addressed by this thesis:
H0: All contractors perceive problem p as a major problem in post-hurricane reconstruction.
H1: Not all contractors perceive problem p as a major problem in post-hurricane reconstruction.
The Part “a” question was asked in the form of attitudes, so the questions were ranged from very low to very high. The Part “b” of each of the question numbers 4 to 9 is open-ended, and was asked to identify different practices involved in solving these problems.
Question number 10 of the questionnaire refers to the importance of the type of project delivery method being used. So, the hypothesis tested here is as follows:
H0: All contractors perceive the right choice of project delivery system as important in post-hurricane reconstruction projects.
H1: Not all contractors perceive the right choice of project delivery system as important in post-hurricane reconstruction projects.
Data collection procedure
The questionnaire was sent to the different construction companies by survey software known as “QuestionPro” . This software had a link to the survey webpage, and had the ability to email the survey out to the sample under consideration. Thereafter, the
statistics could be monitored periodically. The results were collected and exported to Microsoft Excel software. Since all contractors did not seem to have access to emails and/or to the web; the survey was also carried out via telephone calls. The questionnaire was asked on the phone to contractors, and their answers were obtained. The results were added to the Microsoft Excel software. Refer Appendix C and Appendix D for responses to open and closed-ended questions, respectively.
Pre-test
Before actual dissemination of the questionnaire, a pre-test was conducted among a sample of three commercial contractors from Houston, Texas. Information about those contractors chosen for the pre-test was obtained from The Bluebook, and the websites of the companies showed that they worked in post-hurricane reconstruction projects. First, phone calls were made to identify the project managers who could take the survey. Three of them were emailed the survey.
After they took the survey, they were called up and asked for recommendations and comments. The testing was done to check the ease of answering the survey. It also helped interpret the meanings of the questions in a different perspective (Czaja and Blair 2005). This enabled corrections in the first draft of the questionnaire. It also helped in estimating the time required to fill out the survey. An Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval from Texas A&M University was obtained since there was an involvement of human subjects in the research. The approval announcement is enclosed in Appendix E.
Survey
The survey questionnaire was finalized after the comments made in the pre-testing phase were studied. The survey was then introduced to the sample population in the participating states. Phone calls and emails to the construction companies were made, which led to the understanding that the entire sample was not at ease using emails and the web to answer the survey. As a result, phone calls were made, and the questionnaire was read out to obtain those answers. It was also observed that responses were better, if emails were sent out on Friday evenings. The survey was closed after allowing three weeks for respondents to take it.