Autores: Lozan-Marco, M.A

Section 4.5: Multiple Sampling Strategies Section 4.6: Data Sources: Interviews Section 4.7: Interview Details

Section 4.8: Influence of using Multiple Mediums for Interviews Section 4.9: Building of Rapport during Conversations

81 Section 4.10: Process of Transcriptions

Section 4.11: Reflexivity and the Researcher Section 4.12: The Process of Data Analysis Section 4.13: Unit of Analysis

Section 4.14: Theoretical Memos and Field Notes Section 4.15: Process of Constant Comparison Section 4.16: Types of Coding

Section 4.17: Transformation of Data into Concepts and Categories Section 4.18: Memo Database

82 Conducting an effective research study is dependent on an effective research design that helps to address the research problem. According to Lincoln and Guba (1985), qualitative researchers use an emerging approach to inquiry, where data collection is undertaken in realistic/natural conditions sensitive to individuals and places which are under examination; and then analysing that data helps to identify patterns or themes leading to the generation of theory. Strauss and Corbin (1990) further suggest that ‘creativity’ is a vital component of conducting grounded theory study. Creativity should exist in researcher’s own ability which helps him to name categories, make free associations that are mandatory for generating stimulating questions and make comparisons which leads to the discovery of a new phenomenon. Under an effective research design (in chapter 3), the researcher using the guidance of main qualitative and grounded theory authors carried out the research process. Following are some of the mandatory aspects that the researcher prefers to discuss here which further shaped the data collection and analysis process.

4.1 Theoretical Sensitivity

In a grounded theory study, theoretical sensitivity refers to the personal quality of the researcher (Strauss and Corbin, 1990). When undertaking a research study, theoretical sensitivity can be referred to the sensitivity which the researcher brings to study depending on previous reading or experiences relevant to the area of study. Glaser (1978) refers theoretical sensitivity as an ability of the researcher to give connotation to the data, capacity to comprehend and quality of having awareness of the data. Further, Glaser (1978) argued that theoretical sensitivity also allows the researcher to develop a theory that is well grounded, theoretically populated and integrated into the data.

Theoretical sensitivity may arrive from various sources while conducting research (Strauss and Corbin, 1990). Review of literature, professional or personal experiences are some of the sources of that contribute in the theoretical sensitivity. For this study, the researcher has

83 reviewed the literature to a limited extent, where he has gained familiarity with some of the previous content published in the field of Virtual-Agile risk management. The literature review helped the researcher to ‘sensitize’ himself with what is in fact going on with the phenomenon under study. Review of literature supported undertaking of this research study that the existing theoretical models or frameworks in terms of risk management were based on certain methodologies or concepts that needs to be looked at from a different and new perspective. This would certainly contribute in the literature by discovering the natural risk management practices rather depending upon theoretical perceptions. Strauss and Corbin (1998) further suggest that another source of theoretical sensitivity in the research could be researcher’s own professional or personal experience. Pertinent to this study, the researcher’s professional experience is from an Engineering background where he has been involved in couple of years in industrial project management practices, which included designing time plans, undertaking risk management practices, dealing with various stakeholders and strategies to ensure the quality standards. In addition, the researcher’s academic background in the field of project management has also supported him to understand the events and actions more quickly as compared to the individuals from different backgrounds. Consequently, Strauss and Corbin (1990) recommends that’s grounded theory analytical process itself brings theoretical sensitivity as you indulge with the data. The collection and analysis of data helps to observe various themes or patterns undergoing in the phenomenon. The researcher applied various strategies to ensure theoretical sensitivity such as inquiring questions of the data, making comparisons, developing a hypotheses or small frameworks about the codes or concepts and observing the relationships between generated codes and categories. Glaser (1978) further suggests increasing the theoretical sensitivity to concepts and themes evolving from the data, which might support to enhance the insight and acknowledgement of the parameters of the emerging phenomenon. Theoretical sensitivity also helped the researcher to analyse

84 research situation and its association with the data in unique aspects; and to investigate the empirical evidence’s potential for generating theory. According to a famous biologist Selye (1956, p.6),

It is not to see something first, but to establish solid connections between the previously know and the hitherto unknown that constitutes the essence of specific discovery.

Seyle (1956) also argued that the goal of the development of the theory that contributes to the body of knowledge is called science. According to Strauss and Corbin (1990), achieving theoretical sensitivity in research require to be artistic and scientific at the same time. To avoid biases in this study and to produce valid and reliable theory, the researcher undertook following steps using the guidance of Strauss and Corbin (1990; 1998; 2008).

 The researcher tried to keep a balance between his creativity and real situations by periodically stepping and asking different sort of questions of the data. These questions were like, ‘What should be the reality?’, ‘Does what I believe is it really suitable to the context of reality?’ For example, as this study is related to the processes by which project managers or professionals could manage risks more efficiently, it became soon evident that the participants’ actions were meant to emphasize on task completion and reduce ambiguities among the distributed teams so that they could meet the targets and deliver the projects timely to their clients. Additionally, it was observed by the researcher that the risks change over the course of time and with respect to the project settings; sometimes the intensity and impact of the risks was higher and sometimes lesser. There were several factors which could hinder or support the risk management process. It was assumed that the risk management strategies would vary along with the intensity of the risks or events taking place, the higher the complex situations are, the more and intensive will be

85 the controlling practices. The researcher at first assumed that confirmation of these propositions would be a straightforward matter of checking against data but then realised that these propositions sometimes supports his viewpoint but sometimes not, because it changes according to the impact of that event or risk factors of the project.

 Briefly, once the researcher analysed the data, inquired questions of it, he could recognise that the individuals acted based on their own insights of the circumstances. The risks management practices evaluated were not essentially like those of other stakeholders of the projects. Thus, the participants’ own assessment and tendency supported them to respond to such unexpected situations.

 The researcher has maintained an attitude of ‘Skepticism’ throughout this study. All the categories, hypotheses and questions about the data were considered ‘provisional’ until and unless they were checked against the actual data. For example, while analysing the category of ‘communication, this category was considered provisional until the researcher was able to get maximum saturation into it. In simple words, all the categories were played with actual data in order to assure that they fit into research situation. This helped to generate theoretical explanations and their relation to the situation for each category (Strauss and Corbin, 1990).

 Theoretical sensitivity was also generated by following the correct research procedures. The researcher has considered all the data collection and analysis procedures as suggested by main qualitative and grounded theory authors to achieve ‘rigor’ in the study. Achieving rigor in qualitative studies is considered ‘crucial’ as the researchers have to undertake strict procedures to avoid biases (Creswell, 2007). Further, the strict procedures and guidelines have not only helped the researcher to allow sampling on the basis of emerging data but has helped him to verify the hypothesis while they were being developed.

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4.2 Ethical Considerations

Approval of Research Ethics is a mandatory part of research studies. It comprises of ethical principles which are necessary to be undertaken by a researcher. According to Cooper and Schindler (2006), the purpose of the ethics in research is to ensure that none of the participants is harmed or suffered from carrying out research activities. The participants should have the feeling of safety and security during the process of data collection. They should be able to know the goal of the study, who will be having access to the data and how it will be used for the research purpose. Additionally, the researcher should acknowledge the participants the applicability of the data, whether it will be used such as for commercial or academic purpose.

For carrying out this research, a research ethics form was completed, signed and then submitted to Research Ethics committee for approval. The form submitted included affirmation of the following characteristics which was then complied with throughout the research process,

 Demonstration of Integrity and Honesty with research i.e. showing rigor and professionalism

 Avoiding Plagiarism – Copyrights of data and ideas exclusively that has been used  Conflicts of Interest – Financial and professional benefits were acknowledged  Data Handling – Confidentiality and compliance with university’s policies

 Ethical Procedures – Codes of conduct, approval of study, consideration of ethical issue and formalities

 Supervision – The level of support from director of studies and Research Graduate School

87 In this regard, a consent form, participant information sheet and initial interview questions were also attached with the purpose and type of participants to be approached for this study. The committee approved the ethical process with ‘no objections’ or ‘no observations’ as they believed that the researcher is well-aware of the moral procedures that are needed to be considered during the research study. This was a step forward to look for participants and plan interviews. In addition, at the time of data collection, a consent form was signed by both the interviewer and participant to abide by the Ethical rules and regulations. The consent form together with participant information sheet has highlighted the terms and conditions to participants before indulging in this research. Thus, all necessary ethical measures were undertaken before and during the data gathering stages. Sample of consent form, participant information sheet and Ethics Approval form has been attached in the APPENDIX-I.

4.3 Realising the Process of Grounded Theory Study

Before formally initiating the data collection and analysis process, the researcher believed that he should realise and grasp some of the important concepts of the methodology again before entering the field. This understanding was achieved with the discussion of supervisory team. The researcher presumes that proper guidance of the supervisory team is of great importance when conducting in-depth interviews. Following were some of the points were which recognised by the researcher,

 Enter the field with open-mindedness and you should be able to record participant experiences without being influenced or being biased;

 Use of field notes is very important in both qualitative and grounded theory study because the ideas or interpretations captured during interview sessions cannot be recollected. Additionally, supervisory team also suggested to write down your own notes after the interview as it gives an initial overview and thoughts of what being analysed during the interviews;

88  Analysis of the interviews should be undertaken as soon as possible. For this transcription of the interviews should be completed by a certain deadline; as this would help the research to follow his time plan.

To avoid biases during the data collection and analysis, the researcher should consider all the opinions, thoughts and viewpoint of the participants. Every response should be captured and recorded, and the researcher should provide maximum opportunity and time to the participant to express his thoughts. In this regard, the supervisory team also suggested using ‘5 whys’ tool to get in-depth insights of the solution to the research problem. ‘5 whys’ tool is generally a problem-solving technique which supports to explore the cause of a problem in several dimensions.