S Sesión # 1:: Análisis d de Docum mentos del telecentro o, Telecuba anacán

The process and procedures undertaken by the NEWG and, for this thesis, the personal contribution of the author, are documented and reflected upon in the next section. This section will outline in detail the methods used for each step of the process and will also present the results for each stage. The outputs or results of one stage served as the inputs for the next stage, given that an iterative step-wise approach was adopted,

5.3.1 Methodological approach and study design

The author reflected upon the various methodological approaches that could be used for this type of project. This reflection was primarily informed by the methods used by previous authors in similar projects, as outlined in the literature review.

5.3.1.1 Method approach

In the main, a mixed methods approach was adopted for the development of HSPA frameworks internationally (Tashakkori & Creswell, 2007). This is logical since these types of research projects require a multifaceted approach with multiple inputs and outputs, utilising a myriad of stakeholders as key participants in the research process. The information gleaned from these projects is both qualitative and quantitative in nature and therefore both methods were required to solicit the required response and obtain the required data and information to develop a meaningful and robust HSPA framework.

‘Mixed methods’ is not simply the ad hoc combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. It is the planned mixing of methods at a pre-determined stage of the research and hence, this methodology is incorporated into the research design from the start (Kroll & Neri, 2009). Therefore, mixed methods research collects both qualitative and quantitative data in one study and integrates these data at some stage or at different stages of the research process. In fact, a distinction needs to be made between mixed methods (using both quantitative and qualitative approaches) and multi-method research (using more than one method from the same tradition).

Prior to commencing the data collection process, Creswell (2009, pp. 206-210) puts forward several questions to consider to inform the design of a mixed methods study. These include the sequence of data collection, the relative priority given to the qualitative and quantitative elements of data collection and analysis, the point of integrating both these methods and the elucidation of an overall theoretical perspective which should be used to guide the study.

The author, together with the NEWG, considered the above aspects at design stage and indeed, followed a logical sequence as subscribed by the proponents of this

by a predominantly quantitative phase and ending with a predominantly qualitative input. Since one phase fed into the other, priority setting was not strictly required, however the development of the HSPA model itself took considerable time since this laid the basis for the rest of the results to follow. A flawed framework, at an early stage would have derailed the whole process. Integration of qualitative with quantitative data occurred at each step of the process, where the results of the qualitative study fed into the quantitative part of the study and vice versa.

It is important to highlight, at this juncture, the political nature of this process. This has been amply highlighted in the literature and from the document analysis. Whilst the methodology followed a rigorous scientific approach, the NEWG was in constant contact with the Ministry, which regularly ‘reviewed’ progress and also, towards the end, ‘suggested’ changes to the indicator set to better reflect the political realities at the time. Whilst these changes were minimal, they are discussed later in this chapter.

5.3.1.2 Study design and data analysis

The next decision that needed to be taken was to choose the most appropriate study design and data analysis. The mixed method approach can incorporate a number of study designs. A few of these were considered and discussed for the purpose of this research.

The separate or ‘parallel’ Mixed Methods Analysis was first considered. This is where qualitative and quantitative data sets are analysed separately and conclusions, or ‘meta-inferences’ are made that incorporate both data sets. This was discarded since data sets were produced in synch and were inter-related with one another.

The author then considered whether the ‘convergent’ mixed method design would be appropriate where the results from one tradition (quantitative or qualitative) explains or confirms the results from the other tradition. However, this was not the case for this project and confirmation of the results (in the form of triangulation) was not part of the research design and hence was not required. Another type of analysis that was discussed was the Meta Matrix (or Joint Display) analysis. Again, this process did not

The method design that best fitted with the aspirations of this project was the Mixed Method Multiphase (or Multistage) Design. The rationale for subscribing to this design was that it was ‘developmental’ in nature, where the results of analysis using one method, shapes subsequent methods or steps in the research process. This design combines concurrent and/or sequential data collection over multiple phases of a programme of research or study. It utilises sequential analysis using an Exploratory (not explanatory) Mixed Methods Design (Andrew & Halcomb, 2009, pp. 31-40), as is shown in Figure 5.1. Furthermore, data analysis is carried out sequentially such that the second strand (qualitative or quantitative) emerges and builds on the previous strand (i.e. the second strand is not standalone and depends on and is informed by the first strand). This is defined by Greene as ‘the importation of mid-stream results from

the analysis of one data type into the analysis of a different data type’ (Greene, 2007,

p. 148).

Figure 5.1: Sequential analysis using a multiphase mixed methods design

5.3.1.3 Challenges/benefits of adopting a mixed methods approach

Tashakkori and Teddlie (2010) imparted a few cautionary notes for those undertaking mixed methods research. Whilst the qualitative and quantitative analysis need to be conducted within their own paradigms, the datasets however need to ‘merge’ before the final analysis. The second strand needs to build on the first in a meaningful way, in line with the research question (Fetters, Curry & Creswell (2013).

1. Initial qualitative