Multiple methods were used to gather empirical evidence ranging from observation, discussion and semi-structured interviews. Although as noted previously, the organisational analysis and case study overlap in the methods used for data collection, for the sake of clarity these two stages are discussed separately. Table 3.1. summarises the methods used and Figure 3.3 how the different stages were conducted over time (a more detailed timeline of the case study is provided in Figure 6.2).
Table 3.1. Summary of Research Methods.
R e s e a r c h F o c u s M e t h o d
O r g a n isa tio n a l A n a ly sis S e m i-str u c tu r e d In te r v ie w s —
S trategic S ta ff & S ta f f w ith e x p e r ie n c e s o f D I P s
In fo r m a l D is c u s s io n s w ith stra teg ic s t a f f in E N H ead q u arters D o c u m e n t A n a ly sis o f E N r ep o rts C a se S tu d y A n a ly sis In te r v ie w -b a se d S ta k e h o ld e r A n a ly sis D e s ig n o f C o n s e r v a tio n S trategy P r o c e s s P r o c e s s O b s e r v a tio n S e m i-str u c tu r e d in te r v ie w s w ith P r o je c t S ta ff
January 2000 July 2000 January 2001 July 2001 January 2002 July 2002 F ie ld w o r k in C a se stu d y F ie ld w o r k E x p lo r a to r y S e m i
in te r v ie w s — E N stru ctu red
H ea d q u a rters. in te r v ie w s — N e g o t ia t in g ca se s t a f f w ith stu d y e x p e r ie n c e o f D I P s S e m i-str u c tu r e d in te r v ie w s E N H ea d q u a rters In tr o d u c to r y in te r v ie w s A v o n S ta k eh o ld er in te r v ie w s - A v o n In te r v ie w analysis & stra teg y d esig n
S e m i-str u c tu r e d in te r v ie w s — A v o n
E N s t a ff
S trategy p r o c e s s — o b s e r v a t io n & r e fle c tio n
3.3.2. Investigating English Nature - Organisational Analysis
To explore English Nature’s reaction to the participation agenda, alongside attitudes, ideas and opportunities within the organisation for the use of DIPs, qualitative research techniques were used to capture the attitudes and experiences of English Nature staff through formal and informal conversation. These conversations ranged from informal discussions with staff over lunch or at a social event, to informal un-taped meetings and semi-structured interviews. This multiple approach to data collection was useful. Although semi-structured interviews allow an in-depth exploration and analysis o f issues, informal conversations create opportunities to discuss issues without an imposed agenda. Throughout these conversations I had my researcher ‘hat’ on, and at all times I was explicit about my role in relation to the organisation and my research interests. AU forms of data coUected contributed to my research findings and records of untaped discussions were kept in a research diary which also contains my ongoing reflections about the research. EN corporate reports and minutes from Council meetings were also examined to provide insight into strategic changes within the organisation since 1991, and how the organisation presented itself to the outside world during this period.
(i) Preliminary interviews and discussions
To develop my research interests and scope my subsequent involvement with the organisation, I spent the first few months of the PhD familiarising myself with EN. Part of this process involved exploratory discussions carried out from January to March 2000 with staff in English Nature’s headquarters in Peterborough. These discussions had several objectives. First, they were a way o f improving my understanding o f how English Nature operated. Secondly, they were a means of gaining familiarity with terminology used within the organisation, relating to structures, procedures and approaches to nature conservation. Thirdly, they aUowed me to raise the profile of my research across different sectors o f the organisation. The PhD was closely linked to one particular area o f EN, and these conversations enabled me to understand how the research sat in relation to other areas of the organisation. Fourthly, the discussions were an opportunity to scope potential case studies. During this period, two semi-structured interviews took place. These interviews were exploratory and relatively unstructured.
Table 3.2 Exploratory Discussions within E N Headquarters January 2000 ^
Date Position Theme of Discussion
2 6 January 2 0 0 0 U r b a n P r o g r a m m e C o -o r d in a to r In te r v ie w - H is to r y o f E N
2 6 January 2 0 0 0 H e a d o f C o a sta l C o n s e r v a tio n T e a m In fo r m a l d is c u s s io n - D I P s in th e co a sta l e n v ir o n m e n t, s c o p in g p o te n tia l c a se stu d y 2 7 January 2 0 0 0 S e n io r F r e sh w a te r O f fic e r In fo r m a l D is c u s s io n - D I P s in r iv er in e e n v ir o n m e n ts , s c o p in g p o te n tia l c a s e stu d y 2 7 January 2 0 0 0 A d v is o r to C h ie f S c ie n tist In te r v ie w - H is to r y o f E N , r o le o f s c ie n c e in p o lic y , E u r o p e a n D ir e c tiv e s 2 8 January 2 0 0 0 D ir e c to r — G a in in g S u p p o r te r s b u s in e s s p r o c e s s
I n fo r m a l d is c u s s io n — stru ctu res a n d p r o c e s s e s w ith in E N ; is su e s c o m m u n ity in v o lv e m e n t w ith in E N .
2 8 January 2 0 0 0 Strategy M a n a g er I n fo r m a l D is c u s s io n - stru ctu re & p r o c e s s e s w ith in E N
A t all other times when I was interviewing or having meetings in Peterborough, I was based in the Environmental Impacts Team where I was able to meet and learn about the organisation through day to day discussions with staff. In April 2000, I attended English Nature’s three-day Induction Course for new employees. This course provides an introduction to all the different sections of the organisation through presentations and discussions. It was also an opportunity for me to meet other staff.
(ii) Semi-structured interviews
Semi-structured interviews have a central role in the research methodology. The method is seen as suitable as it enabled me to enter into an in-depth exploration of issues pertinent to my research with those employed by the organisation, drawing on their personal beliefs and experiences, as well as their professional knowledge of nature conservation and English Nature. A semi-structured interview provides participants the opportunity to express their responses in their own terms through recounting stories based on their own experiences and ideas. In terms of this research, the discussions were framed according to an interview checklist o f topics, but a conversational approach was favoured because it provided