Entrevista Taula 5

Prior to data analysis, it is considered that a vital step is to establish a general analytic strategy, defining priorities for what to analyse and why (Yin,

16 (2070 questionnaires sent in total to three mentioned case studies)

17It is a qualitative method to investigate the concept of diversity and lived experience of interviewees. Therefore, number of interviews is not crucial as the quantitative part.

2003, p.109). An analytical strategy is derived from the theoretical propositions (Yin, 2003) and from those propositions can be determined the way the data is sorted, organised, conceptualised, refined, and interpreted (Thorne, 2000). As stated in the previous section, the data collection methods of this research include quantitative (questionnaires) and qualitative (interviews) methods. The first stage of data collection is based on the study’s theoretical proposition, seeking residents’ preferred dwelling types and further physical and socio-cultural characteristics of a desired dense neighbourhood. The data analysis strategy adopted for this stage was based on descriptive analysis which includes those techniques used to organize and summarize data for the purpose of enhancing the understanding of results (Tashakkori and Teddlie, 2010).

There are two approaches that can be used in the process of descriptive analysis: single-quantity-based statistics and exploratory-based statistics (Tashakkori and Teddlie, 2010). For the purpose of this research, exploratory-based statistics or exploratory data analysis (EDA) was adopted.

It is seen as a critical first step in analysing data and is useful for checking assumptions and studying relationships among explanatory variables (Seltman, 2015). It includes a class of statistical techniques that involves sorting the raw data into groups where each group represents a measured unit, e.g., cases, observations, or variables (Tashakkori and Teddlie, 2010).

The data can then be cross-classified either non-graphically or graphically using univariate or multivariate analysis to explore important characteristics of the data (Seltman, 2015). It is a kind of analytical manipulation technique, which assists in ordering and correlating the data (Miles and Huberman, 1994 cited in Yin, 2003).

Putting information into different arrays, making matrix of categories, creating data displays such as flowcharts and graphs etc. were some of the techniques used in analysing the data from the questionnaires (quantitative stage). Techniques were used to analyse preferred dwelling types, physical

and socio-cultural features of a desired dense neighbourhood against demographic characteristics of each case study.

For example, in investigating the desired physical attributes of redevelopment, preferred house or dwelling types for ‘living in’ and ‘seeing in’

the neighbourhood were correlated with demographic characteristics. The importance of housing characteristics such as noise insulation, number of floors, balcony, architectural style, front/back yard, communal facilities, opening to a view, storage space, secure parking, secure entrance, natural light and privacy were also ranked by the residents and analysed in each case study area and then compared to other case studies. For social components, a number of different aspects were investigated. For example, questions around having ‘a diverse mix of people in the precinct’ and

‘increasing the chance of meeting more people in the area’ were posed for responses. Other information such as age, family structure, income and the duration of living at the address were some of the other characteristics that respondents were requested to identify.

The second stage of data collection, the qualitative part, consisted of conducting interviews to investigate residents’ opinions of what they considered to be the major undesired features of a dense neighbourhood. As a qualitative method, interviews have the capacity to broaden and enrich the research findings through imbedding respondent experience and their description and interpretation (Oishi, 2003). Qualitative research results are contextual, subjective, and a richly detailed data source (Byrne, 2001). For analysis, each interview was transcribed and thematic analysis was used to pare down transcripts to themes which shaped the interview format (Byrne, 2001). Interview themes and questions were formed after literature was reviewed around the issues identified in the questionnaire responses.

As the numbers of interviews in the study were low, it was decided to analyse the qualitative results aggregated. While numbers are very important in quantitative analysis, in qualitative analysis numbers are seldom considered

and it is the depth and meaning of the responses which are important (Oishi, 2003). In order to draw conclusions and interpret interview contents, thematic analysis used to categorise the responses in groups (Figure 10.1) and discourse analysis used for investigating meaning in a conversation (Potter &

Wetherell, 1987;Shaw & Bailey, 2009), reflecting the sense of what has been mentioned (Fairclough, 2003, p.140). It was done by making the terms of speech (words) bold and meanings were interpreted by relevant literature in chapter ten.

Furthermore, Van Dijk (2016) views discourse analysis as a socio-cognitive approach, reflecting people’s interpretation of a social environment, and as such it is a useful method in social psychology for understanding underlying layers of social practices, such as discrimination and exclusion. Willig (2015, p.165) also states that ‘it provides us with a way of thinking about the role of discourse in the construction of social and psychological realities’.

C.4 Ethics

University ethics’ process and guidelines were followed while conducting questionnaire and interview studies. Participation in each stage of data collection was voluntary. All data collection (questionnaires and interviews) were conducted by the author alone. Participants were not offered any incentives or gifts in any stages of data collection. The interviewees signed a consent form for participating and for the recording of each interview. The information gathered by the researcher was stored in a secure locked place at university and also electronically on a computer. Anonymity of all interviewees has been considered in writing the thesis or all other published or presented materials.

C.5 Bias

In this study the current perception of residents towards future dense development in their neighbourhood is assessed. It is acknowledged that such perceptions are not static and may change over time. During the data collection stages, the researcher chose strategies with low bias such as

‘random sampling’ in distributing questionnaires. Further statistical

calculations were also provided to validate the data in chapter nine (aggregated data) as the number of respondents in each case study was not high enough. Furthermore, in the qualitative stage, it is acknowledged the number of interviews was low. But it was assumed; the interviewees were more likely to be active in the community, be confident, articulate and may hold strong opinions. It is emphasised that individual opinions in both questionnaires and interviews do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the broader community. However, they give an insight into the underlying reasons that ignite, and to an extent circumscribe, community opposition to densification. The researcher attempts to avoid any pre-conception in interpreting results for the case studies. However, the nature of case study research requires a level of interpretation in order to develop an understanding of the issues that characterise a community.

Summary of chapter:

This chapter identifies the research approach adopted in this study, including the guiding theoretical perspective and its impact on the choice of data collection, methods, and techniques. Three TOD areas have been selected as case studies or ‘units of analysis’ due to the fact that residents living in these areas will be facing changes to their neighbourhood through the introduction of high-density targets in newly approved local structure plans.

The next chapter will address the TOD context of this research, identifying the history of the concept and investigating ways in which it has been planned and implemented in various urban settings.

CHAPTER 5

Density in