Analysis of Data

For the framework suggested, the main analysis task is to establish clear linkages from Step 1 to Step 5, and then from the linkages formed, extract the meaning and value of these linkages to predict a social change pattern. The data collected from each step is used as a base level to identify the possible relationships among the data. The first step in the framework acts as the root to trace the linkage from one step to another step that, in turn, leads to the whole structure of linkages in the framework. The meaning and value of each element in the framework that ties the whole process of establishing these linkages, in the social system gives descriptions and explanations as to how social change is being created by actors over time, and what the effects will be to actors in the future.

Before proceeding to the data analysis process, all the raw data collected through interviews, observations, and document investigations, has to be transcribed, sorted and categorised in accordance with the types of data needed for each step of the framework. The purpose of transcribing, sorting and categorising is to explore the range and richness of the data

manually. For that, coding of key words or statements is undertaken to trace the patterns and the dimensions of data collected. Matrices are constructed and used for making comparisons in order to identify similar trends and paradoxes.

The finalised data is then entered into a computer database for further explorations and interpretations using both quantitative and qualitative analysis methods. The main structure of the framework is investigated and explained by the qualitative analysis findings and supported by the quantitative analysis findings, whenever possible. The whole research places less emphasis on the quantitative findings because the motive of the research is to

explore the dimensions of method for predicting social impact based on the proposed framework, and not to use figures for justifying the dimension suggested in the framework.

3.5.2.1 Procedure for Analysing Qualitative Data

In this research, most of the data needed for testing the framework is collected in the

qualitative form, as detailed information is needed to explore the suitability of each element suggested in the framework. This data is derived from interviews, observations and document investigations. NVivo is used to organise and analyse the data. In some situations, when there is unique data, a manual way of analysing the data is carried out to extract the relevant useful information (Gibbs, 2002; Bazeley, 2007).

In relation to the case study (See Chapter 4), for NVivo purposes, I kept all the relevant qualitative data used for testing the proposed conceptual framework. The data coded for the NVivo analysis has mainly come from the semi-structured interview sessions conducted with individual respondents. This data consists of respondents‟ answers pertaining to issues raised in connection to the way human and non-human actors contribute to social change that leads to social impact in the case study area.

The relevant raw data was first transcribed and entered into the master file created in the NVivo programme. This was carried out to prepare a full database that could be used for exploring the range and richness of data that was relevant to the study of the social impact according to the framework. The data collected from respondents of different ethnic groups was kept under different sub-component sections created in the database. A series of wordings or themes are created to represent all the similar responses kept under the same component. For example, the answers given by each Malay respondent were entered into a sub-component called “Kampung Melayu Beliong”. (Kampung Melayu Beliong is the village where all the Malay respondents live.) Two other sub-components called “Kampung Sangkap” and “Kampung Sungai Tanju” were created to keep all the relevant answers provided by respondents from the Chinese and Iban communities respectively.

Besides the information gathered from individual respondents, I also kept other information collected from un-structured interview sessions with focus groups, and structured interview sessions with three headmen from different villages who are in this programme. The qualitative data is kept together in the same database because it is easier to trace and compare findings given by different sources when needed.

There is an analysis function in NVivo to look for words or statements organised and coded under different sources (Baseley, 2007). This function was used to connect combinations of

similar words and statements from various sources in order to trace the patterns and dimensions of information relevant to each stage for further exploration and interpretation. The connections formed from among the relevant data from various sources provide a platform for comparing answers given by different ethnic groups. It helps to identify trends and paradoxes given by respondents from different ethnic groups, to explain issues pointed out in a social impact study.

For example, similar actors of social changes pointed out by respondents of different ethnic groups were kept under four main components, created under the first stage of the framework: individual type of actor, society type of actor, man-made feature type of actor and natural feature type of actor. A summary analysis of the number of respondents from different ethnic groups who mentioned each actor was then computed to find out the frequency. The findings of the frequency factors were used to identify which ones are the main actors for the social changes that respondents considered for the study. The same process was done for other stages of the framework, where main components were created in accordance with elements suggested for each stage of the framework. The frequencies of the same answers collected for each component were computed to determine the major ones.

For every step of the framework, the qualitative data used for analysis is different, but the basic concept used to guide the analysis is the same in accordance with the ANT-K Theory, as discussed in Chapter 2. The theory suggests possible ways regarding how to establish

linkages among the various actors, capital stocks, change agents, change effects and its leading impacts on social change studied in the framework. The theory tells the story of the way to trace actors and the relevant associations of their abilities, actions, changes and impacts on other actors and the environment.

As mentioned above, the data analysis focuses on identifying items in the framework that could be connected to form linkages, which show the path of how social change is being created and its consequential effect on people. To find out what kinds of linkages may exist, the first task is to figure out what reasons could be used for saying any two or more items have relationships; the reasons will show that these items may respond to each other. The assumptions made for predicting the reason is related to the attraction of the capital concept suggested in the ANT-K Theory. Therefore, the element suggested for the framework is designed according to this ANT-K idea. The matching of the supply and demand offered among items or the social power that attracts these items together, are reasons for establishing linkages that determine the pattern of social change.

3.5.2.2 Procedure for Analysing Quantitative Data

The quantitative data is mainly collected from semi-structured interviews and document investigations. The kind of data collected from the semi-structured interviews relates to the demographic backgrounds of individual participants involved, and their responses to the questions raised. The questions were targeted to provide relevant data regarding historical social, economic, political and environmental backgrounds, and the perceptions towards social change issues that were of most concern to the affected people and their communities. This data is needed mainly to study the linkages formed at Steps 4 and 5, and its leading feedback loop in the framework. As for the document investigations, the quantitative data collected is statistical records showing the population profiles of the communities, living in the case study area. The amount of quantitative data collected is relatively small and straightforward.

Using SPSS (Statistical Package of Social Sciences), a simple thematic analysis (descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations) is conducted to place the relevant data into a more organised pattern, in order to show the dimensions of the data that has connections to the framework. For the data collected from the semi-structured interviews, the demographic background of the participants involved and a set of simplified data-coded individual feedback details, is recorded in an SPSS database. The database shows the distribution of participant

backgrounds based on seven factors from the responses to the questions asked during the interviews: gender, age, occupation, educational background, life experiences in the case study area, ethnic groups and the village where the participant lives.

SPSS is not used to keep or analyse the quantitative data collected from document

investigations as the data derived from the documents is already well organised, simple and easy to be manually analysed and interpreted. Therefore, no further statistical analysis is needed for such data.

3.6 Chapter Summary

The use of a proper methodology plan can avoid a number of theoretical and practical

difficulties when a study proceeds. An inappropriate selection of a data collection method can lead to insufficient data for a detailed analysis, which in turn may generate unclear or

misleading results. Therefore, it is important to have a well-planned methodology to outline the direction and procedure that will be used, so that it makes sense to, and is accepted by others, in the field. A clear methodology also provides guidelines for other future studies. This is what I am endeavouring to do in this chapter: discuss the methodology for this study

in a way that clearly shows that adequate work was undertaken to enable a positive conclusion to be reached. The qualitative and quantitative methods used in this study provide a useful picture of people and their environments that are under study. This helps to build a good understanding of issues related to the study, of the social impacts of developments, based on the ANT-K Theory (See Chapter 2). The proposed conceptual framework for this study concerns various characteristics of both human and non-human actors that affect the creation of social change. These actors provide important information that helps to determine the actual social impact that will happen. To test the framework, a case study was carried out in Malaysia. The relevant information about this case study is presented in Chapter 4.

Chapter 4