CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHOD

Sensemaking theory implies taking “undefined problems … and then managing

undefined space, time and action to draw lines, establish categories and coin labels to create new features of the environment that did not exist before” (Weick, 1995). Sensemaking further

states that each participant (or action taker) in the environment accumulates a narrative account of his/her actions. He/she then socializes his/her account with other participants that he/she is collaborating with in that environment (Brown et al., 2008). Brown further states, “An

understanding that sensemaking involves processes of narrativization (narrative-making) permits nuanced investigation of the extent to which individuals in a work team agree, share, disagree and contest understandings.”

Research on intercultural communication between nation states’ militaries did not appear to be as robust in comparison to their business counterparts. The apparent research gap, and the narrative accounts within sensemaking suggested exploring this by using qualitative,

phenomenology research methods (Creswell, Creswell, & research, 2007). Creswell’s summary of phenomenological methods was further referenced (Moustakas, 1994) for the psychological perspective and (van Manen, 1990) from a human science orientation. Following is an extract from Creswell on the characteristics of Phenomenology.

• An emphasis on a phenomenon to be explored, phrased in terms of a single concept or

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communication and whether they help or hinder collaboration in U.S. Department of Defense State-to-State interactions.”

• The exploration of this phenomenon with a group of individuals who have all experienced

the phenomenon. Thus, a heterogeneous group is identified that may vary in size from 3 to 4 individuals to 10 to 15.

• A philosophical discussion about the basic ideas involved in conducting phenomenology.

This turns on the lived experiences of individuals and how they have both subjective experiences of the phenomenon and objective experiences of something in common with other people. Thus, there is a refusal of the subjective-objective perspective, and for these reasons, phenomenology lies somewhere on a continuum between qualitative and

quantitative research.

• A data collection procedure that involves typically interviewing individuals who have

experienced the phenomenon.

• Data analysis that can follow systematic procedures that move from the narrow units of

analysis (e.g., significant statements), and on to broader units (e.g., meaning units), and on to detailed descriptions that summarize two elements, "what" the individuals have experienced and "how·· they have experienced it (Moustakas, 1994).

• Phenomenology ends with a descriptive passage that discusses the essence of the

experience for individuals incorporating "what" they have experienced and "how” they experienced it. The "essence" is the culminating aspect of a phenomenological study. (pp.

78-79)

Snowball sampling selected optimum interview candidates during the data collection process. “Snowball sampling is a method for recruiting subjects for research studies in which

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people who have already participated are asked to recommend others to take part. Also known as chain sampling or referral sampling, this method is especially helpful to sociologists who are seeking information about specific groups of people who may not be easy to identify”

(Ungvarsky, 2017).

The snowball sampling technique resulted in ten viable individuals participating in this study through semi-structured interviews conducted in neutral locations (for a list of the general interview questions/topics, see Appendix A). The researcher encouraged the participants to “take charge of the interview” during the discussions in order to create a more relaxing experience and to encourage the flow of ideas from the participants. Physical geographic distance between the researcher and some of the participants required some of the interviews to be conducted using Facebook Messenger. The completed interviews were then transcribed using

Rev.com transcription service. The researcher then cleaned up the transcripts and removed any

material that might be of a sensitive geopolitical nature or reveal security vulnerabilities for Middle East nations and their security force partners. The text transcripts were sent back to the individual participants for their final approval.

Each study participant had previous and current relations with multiple nations.

Table 5. Intercultural Communication Study Participant Selected Demographics Profession/ Current Job Years Experience Birth/Childhood Region Resident/ Citizenship Country Described Interactions with:

Arabic Senior Military Officer – Directorate of Military Cooperation

23 Middle East Middle East Middle East, Europe, East Asia,

USA U.S. DOD Cultural

32 Table 5 continued

U.S. Navy Officer – U.S. DOD Coalition Support Officer

13 Middle East USA Middle East,

Central Asian States U.S. Army Officer –

Middle East Gulf Area Nation Country Desk Officer

25 USA USA Middle East,

Europe, South America

U.S. DOD Program Analyst working in Security Cooperation; Previous U.S. Senior Military Officer

24 USA USA Middle East

U.S. DOD Program Analyst working in Security Cooperation; previous U.S. Army Soldier

8 USA USA Middle East,

Europe

U.S. DOD Program Analyst working in Security Cooperation; previous U.S. Special Forces Soldier

23 USA USA Middle East,

Europe, East Asia

U.S. Army Officer – LEVANT Region Country Team

14 Middle East USA Middle East

Interpreter Support Contractor/Small Business Owner

9 Middle East Middle East Middle East, Europe, East Asia

Interpreter Support

Contractor 12 Middle East Middle East Europe, East Asia Middle East, Participant’s origins, birthplaces and places of current residence are also noted to offer a global perspective (Figure 2).

While the world map graphically represented the two sides of the explored dyad on a global scale, it did not provide the necessary resolution to accurately depict actual locations of the participants. As a result, regional maps were developed for better clarity (Figures 3 and 4).

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Figure 2. World Map Showing Locations of Study Participants (Locations overlayed on map obtained from Wikimedia Commons (Menegaz, 2008))

Figure 3. Middle Eastern Subregional Map with Middle Eastern Study Participants Depicted (Locations overlayed on map obtained from Wikimedia Commons (By Siamax [Public domain], 2012))

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Figure 4. United States of America Map with U.S. Study Participants Depicted (Locations overlayed on map obtained from Wikimedia Commons (Briangotts, 2008) Most nation’s military organizations tend to have larger proportions of males in

comparison to females within their military, civilian and contract support personnel. This was found also to be true with three (3) females within this group of ten (10) participants. As a note, two of the females were Arab support contractors and one was a U.S. government civilian.

Figure 5. Gender of Study Participants (created by author)

7 3

Gender

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Interestingly, six of the participants in this study were born and were raised in the Middle East than in the United States. Three of these persons continue to live within that region, while three of them have since moved to the USA and are now U.S. citizens.

Figure 6. Physical Origin/Formative Years (0-18+) of Study Participants (created by author)

Figure 7. Citizenship of Study Participants (created by author)

There was a fairly equal division among military, government civilians and support contractors in this study. Each of these groups provides key contributions to the U.S. DOD

6 4