The individual cases analysis is followed by a cross-case analysis in order to identify the recurring core categories (themes) across the individual cases and form the basis for generalizing the findings and conclusions. In the stage of cross-case analysis, a comparison of similarities and differences across the individual cases were conducted using the individual case diagrams and
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memos. This cross-case analysis led to the re-examination of the data, explored how different contexts and process varied across, and providing insight into the phenomenon being studied.
4.8 Research Validity
In the qualitative research the ‘validity’ concept – a common label “trustworthiness”- refers to the extent to which the findings are “true” from the perspective of the research participant (Creswell & Miller, 2000). Validity of this research was established based on the philosophical assumptions (interpretive) underlying the research, and relies on whether the findings are valid, reliable, and they can be generalized. Next, the criterion construct validity, reliability, and if external validity of this research are presented.
4.8.1 Construct Validity
This criterion in the qualitative research means ‘assessing whether the information obtained through the qualitative data collection is accurate’ (Creswell & Clark, 2010, p. 211). Thus, since this research aims in ‘understanding’ and investigating the subjective reality (internal to the individual) of the female senior IT managers, the internal validity will be addressed by conducting ‘member-check’ which ‘is a frequently used approach, in which the investigator takes summaries of the findings (e.g., case studies, major themes, theoretical model) back to key participants in the study and asks them whether the findings are an accurate reflection of their experiences’ (Creswell & Clark, 2010, p. 211). Member-check is a tactic ‘to have the draft case study report reviewed by key informants’ (Yin, 1994, p. 35). Because human beings ‘are the primary instrument of data collection and analysis in qualitative research’, member-check makes us “closer” to the reality than if a data collection had been interjected between the researcher and participants (Merriam, 2009, p. 214). A copy of the summary of the results was sent to the participants, and they were asked to provide feedback. None of the participants have provided a feedback that needs a change in the results. Moreover, the findings were viewed and discussed in terms of the existing literature to increase the credibility of the research and reduce unintentional bias or subjectivity of the researcher as bias can exist in any interpretive research.
117 4.8.2 External Validity
In qualitative research, external validity – also called generalisability or transferability - refers to ‘the extent to which the findings of a qualitative study can be generalized or trusted to other situations’ (Merriam, 2009, p. 234). Yin (1994) argue that case studies should focus on analytical generalization – rather than on the statistical generalisability, which is built on the replication logic and defined as a ‘method of generalisability in which a previously developed theory is used as a template with which to compare the empirical results of the case study’ (Yin, 1994, p. 31). Yin’s concept of analytical generalisability has received attention and approval from a prominent interpretive IS researcher, Walsham (1995) and many other IS researchers (as cited in Lee & Baskerville, 2003).
In this study, generalisability will be achieved through the use of replication logic in the multiple-case interview design. The cross-case analysis studies of ten case in this study can provide a sound basis for analytical generalisation. Moreover, the study includes a ‘rich’ description of the case study and rational for the case study selection, and details on the study case context, to allow other researchers to replicate the study in different contexts. Also, the research findings will be viewed and discussed in terms of the existing theory and literatures in women and IT.
4.8.3 Reliability
This criterion refers to ‘the extent to which there is consistency in the findings’ (Merriam, 2009, p. 234). Reliability of a case study demonstrates that ‘a study can be repeated with the same results’ (Yin, 2003, p. 34). Reliability in this research will be addressed by providing sufficient details about the research methodology, data collection and analysis, and by using a case study protocol, ‘so the findings could be sustained without contradiction if the study was replicated’ (Yin, 1994, p. 34).
118 4.9 Code of Ethics
Addressing the research question of this study requires asking the participants about details of their life experiences in specific times. Thus, ensuring the use of the ethical practice in data gathering and storing in this research, is part of the research role. The following procedures were used to ensure ethical practice in this research:
1. Before interviews began, the interview protocol was submitted to the College of Science and Technology Research Ethics Panel (CST) for ethical approval. The purpose of the ethical approval was to ensure that the process of collecting, using and sharing data in this research respects ethical and legal obligations. One of the requirements of this ethical approval was the development of a consent form (see appendix C).
2. Each participant signed a consent form which is developed in order to gain the agreement of the participants. The informed consent form presents the purpose of the study. It also includes a statement indicating that the participant is able to withdraw from the interview at any time and with no questions asked. The informed consent form presented the purpose of the study. It also includes a statement indicating that the participant is able to withdraw from the interview at any time and with no questions asked. Participants were asked if they would be willing to (1) sign the form, (2) be audio taped and (3) participate with real or false name. After signing the form, the digital audio recorder was turned on to record the interview.
3. Consideration was given to the confidentiality and anonymity of the participants and their collected data sensitivity.
4. The researcher showed concern and importance to the participants.
5. Participants were not coerced to participate informed that she was free to withdraw any time.
4.10 Summary and Conclusion
This chapter presented the rationale for selecting the research methodology, epistemology, strategy employed in this study. It also described the procedures of case selection, data
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collection, data analysis. Followed research validity was discussed and the techniques employed to ensure trustworthiness. Lastly, the chapter has provided the code of ethics used in this study. The purpose of this research is to gain better understanding of the factors that influence women’s career advancement in the IT field in Bahrain. Qualitative inductive research approach was selected as it is suitable for the research questions and purpose of the study. The epistemological stance underpinning this study is both of the interpretive and critical epistemologies. An interview method was used for investigating the work experience of a group of ten Bahraini women in a senior or middle management position in the IT field. The interview method helps to gain in-depth understanding of what happened during their career advancement, and how they achieved high managerial positions in the IT field. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted and analysed using the constructive grounded theory analysis (Charmaz, 2006) through two stages; individual case and cross-case analysis. The next chapter will provide the background profile and demographic data of cases participated in this study.
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Chapter Five: Data Analysis
5.1 Introduction
This chapter aims to present the analysis of the personal data of the ten women who participated in this study, in order to understand the uniqueness of each case, since the conceptual framework (IDTOGT) of this study takes in account the personal differences among women in the IT workforce. Analysing women’s personal data is important to set the scene and understand the complete picture of factors contributing to their career advancement in the IT field. The chapter starts with a background profile of each woman who participated in the study, then provides a summary of the demographic data.