Data Analysis

In the 10 step Hajer (2006) methodology set out earlier, some initial data analysis was undertaken in the four steps discussed earlier under data collection, as it should be pointed out that the 10 steps were not entirely sequential with some running in parallel with each other. Steps 5 to 9 are, sites of argumentation, analysis for positioning effects, identification of key incidents and Interpretation, these are now discussed.

4.11.1 Steps 5 to 9 Hajer Methodology

As part of the analysis undertaken in step 4 of the Hajer methodology, the Document Analysis sought to establish a basic notion of the process of key events and the sites of discursive production. In the interviews with key players the key events were

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discussed and the policy discourse reconstructed from the viewpoint of that actor to start the process of studying the impact of the policy on policy practices. The Sites of argumentation involves searching underneath the arguments deployed to account for the reasons and meanings attached to the arguments used. This information on meanings and causal mechanisms are useful to reconstruct the discourses, that actors then draw on and to analyse the reframing or cognitive shifts (Kern, 2009).

In this research the reframing and cognitive shifts were easier to discern over the 10 year period of the national policy analysis in chapter 5, from the Barker report

(Barker, 2004) up to early 2015. In the analysis of the two case studies this was more challenging, as the period of study was only three years with more subtle shifts and reframing having to be considered, as discussed in the two case study chapters later. Using the three main sites of discursive production, the preparation of the viability assessment, the setting of the proposed rates and the preparation of the infrastructure delivery plan; an analysis of the discussions that took place were studied to ascertain the different meanings and ways of seeing the problem by the different actors.

This involved the identification of discursive mechanisms such as storylines and tropes as set out above; this was a challenging exercise and involved identifying phrases that were regularly used in different documents and interviews, sometimes by key actors to make specific points. Reading the documentation and interviews key events and arenas were identified showing the local policy making process. As the policy making progressed the different versions of key documents changed, as did the wording and phrases within them. These key phrases provided initially a long list of storylines and tropes, rereading of the source material via an iterative process, helped rationalise and reduce these to the key storylines and tropes. The key

storylines and tropes were the phrases and wording, which were considered to have been the most influential on the policy making process as it developed, which

justified a change in direction in the policy proposals.

National storylines and tropes were identified from an analysis of national policy documentation, the objectives and justifications set out in the CIL policy making process as it evolved thorough as series of events and versions of the

documentation. At a national level the main objective was to remove the barriers to

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new development and to facilitate this with the provision of new infrastructure. The main national storylines and tropes identified reflected this ambition to remove barriers and were considered to be the key influences on policy making at the national level and also influential at a local level.

The positioning of actors in the policy process was also considered in the case studies, and was also quite challenging within the limited time frame for the two case studies. The positioning of actors has been suggested, but it is recognised that these are often dynamic in nature and may not have much impact on the practices of the various actors in the policy process.

In considering the key events in the policy making process it became clear at both the national level and at the local case study level some key incidents were

particularly influential on the policy implementation. Again at the national level some key decisions were made and set out in minutes of meetings and in formal policy documents. In the case studies some of the key decisions again were set out in minutes of committee meetings or in policy documents setting out changes in the direction of the policy implementation, these are set out in the next three chapters.

The analysis of practices involved in the CIL process and the key decisions that need to be taken, the argumentation influencing those decisions and can the meaning of what is said be related to the practices as required by the Hajer methodology. These linked to the interpretation step, in which discursive mechanisms were identified to establish an explanation for the course of events as they unfolded, across the three key sites of production. The national policy level is studied over a ten year period in chapter 5, setting out the discursive struggle at a national policy level with key national policy storylines and tropes identified, with the anticipated impact on policy practices also set out. In the case studies at a local level and studied over a shorter period, the discursive struggle between the national and local storylines and tropes is considered and the impact on local policy practices also set out in chapters 6 and 7.

The final step in the Hajer methodology is a second visit to the key actors, due to the rapidly changing policy background in both case study areas it was decided not to undertake this last step, it is not considered that much benefit would have been derived. At the local level the national storylines and tropes remained powerful in influencing local policy making and practices, but local storylines and tropes also had

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influence. Having considered the methodology, it is now appropriate to consider the discursive mechanisms that underpin the Hajer analysis and the application of the methodology.

Finally, as referred to earlier interpretive policy research involves the view that meaning emerges from the interaction of various actors between themselves and with the wider environment. As part of the research process the researcher interacts with those involved in the research, this is integral to the research, but introduces the issues of reflexivity and the positionality and identity of the researcher, which are now considered in the next section.

4.12 Researchers Biography and Reflexivity