Data Collection

Qualitative research interview seeks to describe and provide meanings for themes which have been identified in the social world (Trochim, 2002). For this research the common themes for which the researcher wishes to seek meanings are preparedness elements, emergency preparedness phase and emergency management. This forms the guide for the interview process. While interviews are very useful for conducting in-depth investigation, they also vary in type. Kyale (2007) explained that there are structured, semi-structured and informal interview types. The informal interviews are more of a conversation with research participants which is conducted without any pre-determined questions (Creswell, 2007).

The research allows the research participants to freely express themselves based on the research area being investigated; however the limitation of this approach is that it can lead to data collection which is not relevant to the research objectives (Gall et al. 2003). Semi- structured interviews are not as open-ended as informal interviews (Kyale, 2007). They are conducted using questions as a guide to manage the interview process and ensure that it is directed at achieving the research objectives and answering the research questions (Trochim, 2002). The semi-structure interview however, allows the research participants to express themselves or the research can probe further if information that can help the research is mentioned (Kyale, 2007). There is also structured or standardised interview which is formal and restricted to the research focus preventing the research participants from including comments which are not pre-written in the researcher’s question guide (Creswell, 2007).

While this helps to answer the research questions and retain focus on the research area, it limits the ability to collect data which can benefit the research especially if the information not available in any document (Kyale, 2007). Therefore for this research, the semi-structured interview type is used because it provides reliable data which can be compared with other qualitative data (Creswell, 2007). The semi-structured interview is also used for this research because it helps the researcher to develop a keen understanding of the problems that pertain to emergency management and preparedness in UAE. This process and interview type is suitable for this research in order to identify the specific areas where problems lie and why a preparedness framework or model is not used in the UAE. Based on this explanation and

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understanding, the researcher used semi-structured interview to gather information for this research using the following four stages:

The first stage was a pilot study conducted with the international experts, in order to confirm the results discovered from the literature reviewed. The confirmation was necessary in order to determine the main requirements for emergency preparedness, in particular the elements of preparedness required in the practice and implementation of the emergency management standard preparedness phase. The results of this stage are presented in detail in chapter five section 5.1.

The second stage was conducted in the UAE at the federal level (NCEMA) of emergency management in order to develop an understanding of the current practices in emergency management in general and emergency preparedness in particular by using these elements as a basis for this investigation. Figure 4.4shows the NECMA structure, highlighting both federal and local levels. This structure has helped to triangulate the results presented in this chapter in the most effective manner.

Figure 4.4 Organisation Structure for the NCEMA (NCEMA, 2007)

In the case of collecting data for this research, several steps have been followed. Firstly, semi structured, face to face, recorded interviews took place with the experts in the UAE in Arabic, subsequently transcribed and translated into English. The data was then analysed and collated,

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which helped to extract major themes identified in the data. The interview findings were then analyses based on the eight elements according to the research objectives and questions.

According to the rules of the University of Salford, prior to the collection of data, an Ethical Approval form was completed, with the purpose of ensuring that information was collected in the correct manner, without exerting pressure on the interviewees. An invitation letter was also sent to the interviewees, detailing their rights. For example, for confidentiality purposes, at all three stages, letters were used instead of their names. Also, in order to give them an idea of the research aim, a letter was sent to them beforehand. Profiles of those interviewed are presented in table 4.5.

Table 4.5 the Profile for the Key People in the NCEMA.

No CODES POSITION BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1 A Director _{More than 19 years experience in the field.} 2 A1 Manager _{More than 17 years experience in the field.} 3 A2 Manager _{More than 10 years experience in the field.} 4 A3 Manager _{More than 11 years experience in the field.} 5 A4 Manager _{More than 24 years experience in the field.} 6 B Director _{More than 27 years experience in the field.} 7 C Director _{More than 13 years experience in the field.} 8 D Director _{More than 26 years experience in the field.} 9 E Director _{More than 25 years experience in the field.} 10 F Director _{More than 25 years experience in the field.} 11 F1 Manager _{Manager of the NECMA media unit since 2007.}

The above profiles show that all interviewees have sufficient expertise in the field of emergency management. While the results of this stage are presented in chapter six section 6.2, the organizational structure of people interviewed is illustrated in Figure 4.5 below:

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Figure 4.5 Organisation Structure for the Federal level (NCEMA, 2007)

In order to meet the people outlined in this structure, an official letter was sent by the Sharjah police to the NCEMA. This request included an invitation letter informing them of the aims and objectives of the research as well as the questions which would be asked in the meeting (see appendix D). The NCEMA sent the acceptances to the Sharjah police as well as a timetable for two weeks to meet the key people.

The third stage of data collection was at the local level with the Local Team of Crisis and Emergency Management (LTCEM) in order to triangulate responses from the federal level, and results of this stage are presented in chapter six section 6.3.2.

The fourth stage of data collection was conducted at both federal and local levels with the most suitable approach to ranking these factors in the order of importance, in order to provide recommendations for the UAE's emergency management standard which will lead to effectively implementing the preparedness stage in the UAE. The results of this stage are presented in chapter six section 6.4.3.

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