A Local-State Government Spatial Data Sharing Partnership

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Chapter 4 – Research Design and Methods
This design draws together a generalised design framework for case study approaches
proposed by Yin (1994), Onsrud et al. (1992), Lee (1989) and Williamson & Fourie
(1998). The three stage process of Williamson & Fourie (1998) was extended to include
the quantitative methods and the integration of both qualitative and quantitative results.
A number of mixed method design frameworks have emerged in recent times (Creswell et
al. 2003; Johnson & Onwuegbuzie 2004; Nedovic-Budic Unpublished; Tashakkori &
Teddlie 1998). The design in Figure 4.2 followed the process of contextualising the
research and framework development, conduct of qualitative case studies and quantitative
surveys, model development and validation.
The following sections of this chapter will detail the research methods used throughout this
research.
4.4 Research Methods
The research method describes the four stages proposed in the research design namely:
1. Stage 1 – Review of theory and framework development
2. Stage 2 – State Government organisational case studies
3. Stage 3 – Local Government multi-participant questionnaire
4. Stage 4 - Integration, model development and validation
4.4.1 Stage 1 – Review of Theory and Framework Development
The first stage of the research provided the foundation for development of a suitable
conceptual framework for the initial data collection and assessment. For the organisational
case studies of the state governments, the conceptual framework was developed from
organisational and collaboration theory. A variety of researchers (Child et al. 2005; Gray
1985; Mulford & Rogers 1982; Oliver 1990; Prefontaine et al. 2003) have identified a
number of important dimensions of collaboration including the collaborative environment,
the determinants for collaboration, the collaborative process and the performance of
collaborative initiatives. The theory within these areas enabled the development of a basic
framework for exploring the initiation, development and operation of the state government
partnerships.
One of the primary purposes this research of the data sharing partnerships was to
investigate their contribution to SDI development at local and state levels. Therefore,
conceptual framework for the local government questionnaires was developed around the
SDI elements identified by a range of authors (Coleman & McLaughlin 1998; Groot 1997;