PhD Final Thesis April 2013.pdf - Anglia Ruskin Research Online

Thesis Keith Gale 2013quarterly performance results used by the organisation for determining ranking ofsuppliers.Raw data type C is obtained through approved audio recording of interviewsundertaken with participants to this research. The interviews were then transcribedinto Microsoft Word version 2003. Output from MS Word was then exported intoQS NVivo version 9.2 for qualitative analysis. First stage processing involved a textsearch to identify common word usage and frequency. A synonym and thesaurusapproach filtered words by grouping common meanings. This provided recognitionof node analysis, allowing a web of qualitative data to be constructed. Output isreferenced back from raw data by reverse checking.6.7 SummarySources and metrics used to outline data and assist with data collection have beenchosen to reflect professional practice and construction management convention.Data collected within the organisation concerning performance of projects is gainedthrough operational and contractual mechanisms of the contract between the parties.This raw data is also checked by parties to a contract at regular intervals because itmay have consequential financial effect if parameters exceed pre-agreed values. Forexample, an application of liquidated damages to a supplier through late completionrequires verification of projected dates, actual dates and extensions of time. Keymetrics such as start and finish dates also have liabilities attached to them and cantherefore be considered as reliable.Payment controls and cost values are taken from the organisation’s internal financialmanagement system which is subject to external scrutiny and audit. These sourcevalues are also considered reliable.Data collated from interviews and questionnaires are tailored towards a sociologicalclass with language and terminology reflecting respondents’ knowledge andexperience with construction management. Results taken from this data reflect that ofthe group in order to place a ‘depth’ to the study. Reliability rests with participant’sresponses but methods of data manipulation follow the same procedures as outlinedfor quantitative analysis.123