Microscopía electrónica de barrido

Interviews are usually an effective means of data collection for gathering deep insights of underlying motives, especially the studied phenomenon and its meaning to interviewees (Robson, 2002). The interview techniques consist of fully structured, semi-structured, and unstructured interviews (Patton, 2002). The main difference between these three techniques is the degree of freedom the interview participants have. Fully structured interviews are defined as the question and order are predetermined and never change in the interview (Denzin & Lincoln, 2005). Semi-structure interviews have predetermined questions but new questions can be added on, and non-related questions can be skipped (Schultze, 2000). Unstructured interviews allow the interviewees to talk freely about the specific topics (McCann & Clark, 2005). In this study, the semi-structured interview is adopted.

The methods employed in the planning and conducting of the semi-structured interview during the pilot survey phase with the professionals from their respective associations/institutions are illustrated in this section. The objective of the interviews is to capture the deep insights from the key professionals about their opinions on the factors influencing building development cost. The information then can be used to refine the research framework extracted from the literature and can be used to develop constructs which are then applied to the design questionnaire.

The pilot survey was conducted among registered members from the key professional associations/institutions in New Zealand. The sampling frames are the registered member lists positioned as managers from the following institutions:

New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA)

Association of Consulting Engineers of New Zealand (ACENZ) New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS)

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Property Institute New Zealand (PINZ) Property Council New Zealand (PCNZ)

4.3.2.1 Interview scope and sampling frame

The scope of the research was constrained to the construction industry in New Zealand. The sampling frame for the interview was composed of construction industry professionals in the New Zealand region, including six institutions/associations in New Zealand. The pilot interviews were conducted with samples of the professionals who are registered members of the six institutions/associations. Stratified sampling strategy has been adopted to obtain samples for the interviews.

Furthermore, requests for participation were sent to all the target population. Only 12 registered members at manager level responded positively. The interviews proceeded with these 12 professionals.

4.3.2.2 Interview strategy

The semi-structured and scheduled interview was used to test and validate the constructs and measurement indicators that form the basis for the questionnaire. Given the need for control over the direction of the interview discussions, responses, and comments to the essential areas within the available time schedules, it was appropriate to select the semi- structured interview (Saunders, Lewis, & Thornhill, 2003). Moreover, the semi-structured interview is flexible in which the proposed questions are set in order and the interviewees are allowed to speak deeply and widely on the issues raised by the researchers (Denscombe, 2010).

It should be noted that responses on the significance of the identified measurement indicators were not sought at the pilot interview stage; they were rated at the questionnaire

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survey stage. According to Saunders, Lewis, and Thornhill (1997), motivational measurement methods involving projective techniques were used during the interviews in examining the perspectives of the interviewees. Moreover, Mbachu (2002) addressed that motivational research techniques may be helpful in exploring the real reasons for the observed phenomenon. In addition, Webb (1992) also suggested that projective techniques are useful at the exploratory stage of the research where hypotheses and ideas are formed, and the research is concerned with values, beliefs, motivation, personality, cognition, and behavior.

4.3.2.3 Sampling technique and size

Saunders et al. (2003) recommend non-probability sampling including self-selection and convenience sampling techniques as the most reasonable approach for the purpose of the pilot interview. Mbachu (2002) also confirmed that non-probability sampling permits the sample to be purposively selected. Therefore, convenience sampling was employed to identify the respondents who qualified to participate in the interview. Self-selection sampling was adopted to distribute the requests for the pilot interview via email to the entire registered members of the six institutions/associations. A list of self-selected professionals who were willing to participate in the interviews was developed.

Saunders et al. (2003) said that non-probability sampling provides a practical method to obtain samples at a rapid rate, as the sample size is only based on the resource availability and the understanding of the researchers. The sample size for the pilot interview in this research was limited to 12 registered members of the six institutions/associations. The suitable representative sample size was selected at the quantitative survey stage to validate and generalize the target population.

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4.3.2.4 Interview planning and scheduling

At the inception of the interview, the registered members' contact details were obtained from the member directory list of the individuals’ institutions or associations. Telephone contact followed by an email statement was adopted for the contacts. Most of the member directory lists provided complete details of their members. However, those that had no email address in the directory were contacted using their phone numbers to request their email address or fax number through which messages could be delivered to them.

Ninety messages were sent to the registered members in the sampling frame by email. The message included a covering letter indicating the aim and objectives of the research, the estimated time needed for the interview, and the options of the interview data and time. After receiving the complete interview schedules indicating preferred date and time, the interviews were scheduled for interviewees based on their options. Given the time and traffic constraints, the interviewees accepted that the researcher go to their offices to proceed with interviews. As the time was constrained and some cases were tied in the schedules, further requests were sent to a few interviewees asking them to reschedule if possible. This made it possible to re-arrange all the interviews within one month. Reminder letters along with the interview questions were emailed to the interviewees one week in advance with a follow-up reminder email the day before.

4.3.2.5 Data gathering instrument

The pilot interview aimed to explore the cost-influencing factors from the perspectives of the industry professionals and examine the reliability and validity constructs that the cost- influencing factors fell into. The focus was on the perspectives or views from the industry professionals. Moreover, the key influencing factors of the building development costs from the perspectives or views of the industry professionals in the New Zealand region were revealed, along with how they affected the building development costs in New Zealand.

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4.3.2.6 Conduct of the interviews

The sample size for the pilot interview was limited to 12. The interviews were conducted by face-to-face instead of by phone or skyping. All questions and main discussions were taken on the note. The transcribed feedback of the interviews was sent to the interviewees for confirmation or modification. Anonymity was maintained in the whole process.