Conducting fieldwork studies 46

Because of the multiple dimension of the research (various stakeholders, two different transport modes, and national case point), a large amount of data was envisaged and an effective process was developed in order to collect, organise and document the various data components. This section discusses the processes involved in the collection of the primary and secondary data.

2.7.2.1 Pre-fieldwork activities and pilot studies

Before undertaking the fieldwork, various meetings were held with experienced staff and research students from Newcastle University to obtain their views on the feasibility of methods to be used in the fieldwork.

Using the designed semi-structured interview questions guide, the researcher interviewed 3 selected staff of HSE department in Newcastle Council, and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service. The question guide was then refined based on observed limitations from the result of the pilot interviews.

Similarly, contacts were established with the sampled organisations via telephone calls and emails to understand the procedures for requesting data and interviews with their staff. Consequently, letters of introductions were then obtained for the head of supervisory team

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(as shown in Appendix 3) to introduce the researcher to the sampled organisations. Data collection objectives were set based on the developed knowledge of stakeholders and data requirements. The researcher and the head of the study supervisory team then concluded that two trips to Nigeria will be most appropriate to achieve the data collection objectives.

2.7.2.2 Fieldwork and collection of data Focus group discussions

Upon arriving in Nigeria in the first trip (July 6th to September 11th, 2013), two focus group meetings were first conducted. The aim was to consult industry experts and have clarity on the scope of the research and the risk elements of pipeline and truck tanker operations.

Since the principle of brainstorming in qualitative risk analysis dwells on the perception and experience of experts which can be obtained via brainstorming sessions (Karwowski, 2001), focus group discussion was identified as a suitable means of conducting broad risk analysis (scoping). Its selection is motivated by the desire to explore risk context within the downstream structure at coarse level, but with credible inputs of experts. This method of exploring the initial phase of research using focus group has been endorsed by Wilkinson (1998).

At the basic level a focus group is an informal discussion among a group of selected individuals about a particular topic (Wilkinson, 1998). Puchta and Potter (2004) defined focus group as a research tool containing two of the following core elements: a trained moderator with focus on what to be discussed; and the goal of eliciting participant’s perception about a selected topic. The group is focused because ‘it involves some kind of collective activity’ (Kitzinger, 1994). Group work allows the researchers to access different communication customs including recapturing past events.

In analysing safety and environmental risks within the downstream structure, the primary aim of using a focus group is to describe and understand meanings and interpretations of a select group of industry experts to gain an understanding of a specific risk issues of key operations from the perspective of the experts.

The composition of participants in focus group 1 (1FG) and focus group 2 (2FG) is shown in Appendix 1. During the meetings, the researcher adopted the role of facilitator, sharing

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information about the research aim, risk scoping exercise and safety, risk and environmental management with participants, while also engaging participants in meaningful discussion and guiding the discussion to yield data that will answer specific research questions.

Timeline of the research fieldwork

In the first trip to Nigeria (from July 6th to September 11th, 2013), accident and incident reports and regulatory documents were obtained from relevant stakeholder organisations in addition to the focus group meetings discussed above. Afterwards, semi-structured interviews were also conducted with the sampled stakeholders. The interview was structured based on the already designed interview guide developed from the pilot study and the new knowledge obtained from the accident reports and focus group discussions. The details of how the interviews were conducted is given in section 2.7.3.

In the second trip (from 23rd May, 2014 to 4th July, 2014), a follow-up data collection was done after evaluating the depth and quality of the data collected in the first trip. Data in the form of accident reports and semi-structured interviews, and site visit, road inspection and right of way inspection to two key transport corridors and pipeline right of way was conducted respectively to visually explore and collect data with regards to problems of petroleum transportation via truck and pipeline. Sections 2.7.4 and 2.7.5 further discuss the methods used for collecting documentary data and site inspections. During both trips, both primary and secondary data were obtained and used for both qualitative and quantitative exploration of research questions which includes understanding the regulatory framework and risk context of truck and pipeline transportation within the study domain. Figure 2-11 shows the data collection techniques employed and the interactions with relevant stakeholders throughout the research while Table 2-2 shows summaries of data application across each chapter.

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Figure 2-11. Research data collection techniques, data type and stakeholders involved. Note the following new abbreviations: Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), National Emergency Agency (NEMA), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Federal

Fire Service Department (FFSD), National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Independent Petroleum Marketers (IPMAN) and Major Petroleum

Marketers (MOMAN) Association of Nigeria

Table 2-2. Chapters and Data use.

Chapters Data used

Chapter 1 :Risk scoping Data contained from focus group discussions notes and literature reviews on downstream operations.

Chapter 3: Regulatory review

Documentary data: Documents containing downstream safety and environmental related laws and regulations. Literature and research publications

Chapter 4: Pipeline risk assessment/

management

Interviews with relevant stakeholders. Documentary data including 13 years incident records. Notes and photos from observation and visual explorations and inspection of ROW via site visits

Chapter 5: Truck tanker transport risk assessment/management

Interviews with relevant stakeholders. Documentary data including 2318 accident reports covering 7 years. Notes and photos from observation, inspection and visual explorations via site visits and road inspection. Data from product sales and other relevant research