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

Thesis Keith Gale 2013phenomenological studies, Creswell (2003. p64) suggested that five to twenty fiveinterviews are sufficient and this was confirmed by Morse (1994, p225) whorecommended at least six. Guest et al (2006) felt that saturation could occur with lessthan ten in-depth interviews, provided that a structured interviewing technique isused that clearly defines the boundaries of the research subject. Guest et al (2006)also explained that a researcher could detect when sufficient data saturation hadoccurred due to the same responses being received from participants during theinterview period.All interviewees had knowledge of both traditional and framework procurementmethods and fulfilled profiles of a sociological class as construction professionalmanagers from both client and supplier organisations. A review of interviewtranscripts was undertaken after five interviews using a pilot of QSR softwareprogram NVivo 9.2. Correlation of themes from responses given at that pointindicated that saturation of views had been obtained with the major interviewquestions, but five further interviews were undertaken to confirm and provide adeepened understanding of views.10.4 Interview investigationAn interview investigation for this research follows guidelines suggested by Kvale(1996, p88) by presenting seven stages of operation:• An interview theme – centred around a research subject of discrete versesframework agreement projects to provide a deeper understanding ofparticipants responses at questionnaire stage• Design of interview questions to allow open responses from participants tocollect the significant tacit knowledge available.• Conducting the interviews in accordance with Anglia Ruskin Universityresearch ethics guides and to professional standards expected whenengaging with highly experienced construction managers. A reflectiveapproach is used to gain the knowledge sought.• Data collection is recorded from oral responses by digital dictaphone andtranscribed into MS Word written text. Transcription has been undertakenby an experienced copy typist used for accuracy of recording. Transcriptions230