Data Collection Consideration

The study has very much focused on the foundations and implications of the research methodology and methods, which has resulted in several initial recommendations. However, out of these initial recommendations two key aspects have been stated, firstly the research is working within a Grounded Theory methodology. Partington (2002) indicates the theory development approach within Grounded Theory studies often sees a developmental research design approach. The inductive, spiralling approach identified within the study allows the research to propose then revisit the data collection methods since the approaches proposed allows the emerging ideas to feedback into the research development. Partington (2002) refers to this process as theoretical sampling, which he indicates can help enrich the theory, allowing more generalisations and assisting in drawing the study to a conclusion. Positivist advocates may suggest this approach to sampling is far too unstructured and in order to maintain research credibility a clearly structured approach is required. Although, Leonard and McAdam (2001) argue within management research such positivistic research

methodologies may incorporate more scientific approaches, whilst using large samples to observe their validity. They suggest such approaches, by enlarge fail to provide deep insights and rich data. Berg (2007) supports this view point in positivist

methodologies in stating grounded theorists are unrestricted by statistically significant research and that the data collection strategy can be driven by the emerging theoretical ideas.

However, this does raise some research implications that have been coming to surface throughout the chapter. The philosophical perspective, methodology and methods discuss how the study being carried out has credibility within the research domain. However, depending on the philosophical perspective, methodology and methods being implemented classifies how the study defines such research credibility. Easterby Smith (2002) indicates research validity relates to the measures corresponding closely with reality and how reliability is identified through the studies measures which can be replicated on other occasions. The study would suggest such viewpoints are within the positivists perspective since this is refereeing to measures, which it could be argued relate more to quantitative approach. The current study is working with a Grounded

Theory method and inductive approach, which the research has identified as a more qualitative approach. Nevertheless, the study still has the challenge of ensuring the data collected and analysed has credibility within the field of research. Hussey and Hussey (1997) discuss the importance of assessing the quality of the research taking place especially when working in a social constructivism philosophy, such as Grounded Theory. Lincoln and Guba (1985) and Leninger (1994) suggest two structures of criteria which supports the researcher’s confidence in their conclusions when working with inductive approaches. Lincoln and Guba (1985) outlined four research criteria which provide inductive approaches with research definitions that can assist the whole research processes from design, analysis, findings and conclusions, through a wider appreciation of qualitative process:

 Credibility – demonstrates that the research was conducted in such a manner that the subject of enquiry was correctly identified and described. This may be referred to as the internal validity, relating appropriateness of the processes identified and described,

 Transferability – concerned whether the findings can be applied to other situations which is sufficient similar to allow generalisation. This may be referred to as external validity, through the transfer of the finding into other situations that allows generalization,

 Dependability – shows how the research processes are systematic, rigours and well documented. This may be referred to as the research reliability since the process followed is systematic and traceable and

 Confirmability – whereby the study has described the research process fully and it is possible to assess whether the findings flow from the data. This may be referred as the research objectivity as the findings are clearly identified from the data collected.

In attempting to maintain academic credibility for the current study a multi stage systematic data collection and analysis approach has been recommended, the initial phase of data collection and analyse will provide some early data through one to one interview method in order to collect some developing ideas around values and values alignment. The Grounded Theory methodology allows the study to revisit the

questions in reflection of the data collected and analysed at each phase of the data collection. This may provide additional ideas to build into the study and identify possible informants who have not been considered during the first design stage. Furthermore, additional theoretical thoughts and ideas could emerge from the initial activities, which again can influence the research methods required to collect

appropriate data around those theoretical thoughts.

The study planned to carryout research within the VCS, organizations within this sector are established charitable organizations with paid employees. Grounded Theory allows the research to maximise selected similarities and minimise selected

differences. Literature has indicated this allows the study to collect similar instance of data which could support the existence of categories and its theoretical properties (Partington, 2002, Leonard and McAdam, 2001 and Gill and Johnson 1997). Allowing the research to work with different organizational units or sub-units, for example it could be the initial phase is carried out in a small, medium enterprise (SME) sized charitable organization. As the study develops research may be carried out in other similar size voluntary sector organizations even if their charitable objectives are quite different. The study would state this is maximising selected similarities and

minimising selected differences.

The next challenge is to ensure the analysis of the data collected through the one to one interviews allows theoretical development opportunities, whilst recognising the questions put forward. Literature has suggested that such research questions restrict the development of research within the grounded methodology, since it potentially suggests premature closure on the issues being investigated (Goulding, 2002). Nevertheless, Goulding (2002) goes on to state there is a need for research questions and aim, but it needs to be recognised that they are theory developing not theory testing. Since, the current study is utilising Grounded Theory which recognises the development aspect of the study and therefore, anticipates developments around the questions.