HYBRID RESEARCH METHOD

Research methods are basically qualitative and quantitative. These involve the way the data are collected, analyzed and interpreted. Generally, qualitative study gives an in-depth and specifically to research findings while the qualitative provided general understanding to the matter (Denzin & Lincoln, 2005; M. D. Myers, 2009). Qualitative research is defined "any kind of study that produces findings not arrived at by means of statistical procedures or other means of quantification” (Strauss & Corbin, 1990). The researcher is more open to receive rich information and discovering data as evidence. The qualitative study is known with its inductive approach; thus the researcher is more involved in different processes for better understanding through words and images rather than numbers. The researcher analyzes the data gathered from the fieldwork, observations, different type of interviews and the published documents, which help in better understanding and analyzing the circumstances (Patton, 2002). So basically, it does not require hypothesis and the researcher is the instrument of data collection and analysis.

Conversely, quantitative study is an empirical study which is deductive in nature which relies on statistical findings from questionnaires and experiments as tools to gather numerical data for statistical analysis (Hinchey, 2008; N. Myers, 2002; Saunders, Lewis, & Thornhill, 2009). The

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quantitative study interprets opinions, compares, and highlights the trends of events and its causality with focus number of population (N. Myers, 2002).

A third study method, known as hybrid method, combines both methods; qualitative and quantitative, which has also been explored in this research. This method aims to achieving accurate and detailed information that offers a triangulation (Creswell & Clark, 2007; Genevieve Canales, 2012; Maxwell, 2013). In other words, such method seizes holistically the reflection of an inquiry and trends both in depth and participants’ opinion (Creswell & Clark, 2007).

As this subject is relatively newly introduced to Egyptian architects, civil engineers and urban policy makers, mixed method approach was adopted. In this research, two types of data collection are used; primary data and secondary data.

5.1.1 PRIMARY DATA COLLECTION

The data collected and produced by the researcher himself is “primary data”. Mostly, primary data in qualitative study is collected by interviews, questionnaires, observation and/or scientific experiments. In this research, interviews, questionnaires and observation are used as the primary data tools.

A) INTERVIEW FORMAT

Interview is one of the best tools for data collection in the qualitative study due to the numerous insights from different respondents. It relies on “conducting intensive individual interviews with a small number of respondents to explore their perspectives on a particular idea, program or situation” (Boyce & Neale, 2006). Moreover, interviews are more efficient, fast, and direct and assist in having accurate data.

In this research, in-person interviews are conducted with different stakeholders. Climate change and environmental experts, government representatives from Climate Change Central Department at the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs Agency, Integrated Coastal Zones Management (ICZM) unit at the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs Agency, The Coastal Research Institute in Alexandria, The Egyptian Public Authority for Shore Protection, and Alexandria Sewage & Drainage Company. In addition, representatives from international

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organizations and national NGOs who are focusing on climate change and its impact upon city`s infrastructure and buildings such as; Global Climate Fund (GCF) operated by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The role of architects and contractors are crucial as they are the apply their knowledge and professional practice on ground in order to provide safe, secure and appealing for living. Hence, number of architects and contractors are interviewed who are currently practicing in Alexandria.

The interview questions focus on several topics such as their perception towards climate change, investigation on the impacts of climate change on the built environment of coastal cities such as; infrastructure and buildings, and uncovering the current and future adoptive plans to create resilient city willing to act proactively against one of the climatic threats; SLR and floods which are the major threats affecting the sustainability of coastal and delta cities. The questions are designed to understand Egypt climate change strategy and the effort spent to control this threat.

There are different lists of questions developed as interview guide (Appendix C) covers the research problem and questions targeting each of the key players to examine the study’s hypothesis. The interviews are formatted in semi-structured method, where the questions are fluid and flexible in their structure. The aim of semi-structured interview is to create “interactional exchange of dialogue, a relatively informal style; a thematic, topic-centered, biographical, or narrative approach; and the belief that knowledge is situated and contextual, and that therefore the role of the interview is to ensure that relevant contexts are brought into focus so that situated knowledge can be produced” (Mason, 2002). The produced situated knowledge is generated from respondents` interpretations, perceptions and experiences, which help the study to go deeper and be more explanatory and makes it possible to advocate solutions to investigated problems.

The interviews are voice recorded and respondents sign model release. A brief introduction about the researcher, study’s description and interview questions are sent to the respondents beforehand on their personal emails.

B) QUESTIONNAIRE FORMAT

Questionnaire is “an instrument consisting of a set of questions on a form which respondents fill in themselves” (Aldridge & Levine, 2001), it questions individuals on topic and

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then analyzes their responses (Jackson, 2011). In other words, the questionnaire is a facilitating communication tool between the researcher and wider number of respondents in short period of time (Denscombe, 2004). The questionnaire should be designed to maintain high standards, which will be achieved if the following three significant points are covered; a) research subject influence: the questionnaire structure and the used words are clear and reflecting the subject, b) questionnaire uniqueness: questions are particularly designed exclusively for a specific study and target group, c) rules and guidance: questionnaire should follow appropriate guides to achieve creditability (Davies, 2007).

For this research, two questionnaires are developed. The first questionnaire (Appendix A) is developed for the residents of Alexandria who are currently living/ working or were living in the past 5 years. This sample are familiar with the term “climate change”. The questionnaire consists of 38 questions, mixed between multiple choice and Likert Scale questions. The aim of the questionnaire is to uncover the level of awareness, and vulnerability of this community. While the second one (Appendix B) is developed for architects and engineers who are directly involved in city and urban planning such as; architects, civil, environmental, mechanical, electrical power and machines engineers. The questionnaire consists of 57 questions, mixed between multiple choice, Likert Scale and short answer questions. Both questionnaires are designed using Google Form and are available online. The aim of the second questionnaire is to involve this target group to share their insights in developing a framework and guideline that can assist them in designing sustainable residential cities while considering climatic challenges at local level.

B.1) RESPONDENTS SELECTION

Sampling is used to select members of population who have significant insight to be included in the study “because many populations of interest are too large to work with directly, techniques of statistical sampling have been devised to obtain samples taken from larger populations”(Proctor, 2003). Hence, sampling is an essential part for the qualitative method to provide accurate, updated and reliable data.

For this research, different types of non-probability purposive sampling method are used to gather a wide range of accurate data. For the in-person interview, expert sampling is used for several reasons; 1) to have deeper understanding to Egypt National Adaptation Strategy for

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Climate Change Policy, and 2) explore the different efforts done so far in terms of mitigation and adaptation to reduce the direct and indirect impacts of climate change and particularly sea level rise on Alexandria’s sustainability. Experts are very well selected based on; a) their specialty as most of them are environmentalists, climate change experts and directly and indirectly involved in the policy making decisions in the area of the research, and b) the majority have publications and participated in national and international conferences that focus on this matter. The interviews are conducted with four key players from; governmental entities, engineering and contracting companies in Alexandria which have projects and are currently working on projects in the building industry along the coastal area of Alexandria region. Also, international organizations that have been contributing their efforts in Egypt to reduce the impacts of climate change either by supporting in developing Egypt National Strategy, protecting Egypt coastal zones, developing policies and guidelines or providing funds to governmental entities to work on mitigation and adaptation.

The two questionnaires were developed using Google Form and were available online for one month. The first questionnaire was targeting residents of Alexandria, so the questionnaire’s link was shared online on different social media platforms. Online groups from Alexandria were the main target so the link was shared on 48 groups. On the other hand, the second questionnaire are developed for engineers and architects, hence it is disseminated in different way. The questionnaire was shared among engineering and contracting companies that have projects in Alexandria region. The link was shared with the Human Resource departments and the department was in charge of circulating the email. Also, the questionnaire was shared on LinkedIn and sent to number of engineers who are working in the building industry.

C) OBSERVATION

Observation relies on the researcher’s ability to interpret and link the data collected with what is happening and why. It requires systematic noting of events and behaviors in attempt to realize the meanings behind and attached to certain actions. In the research, several visits to the study context were undertaken to investigate the efforts happening on the ground, and explore residents’ attitude and behavior toward the problem.

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5.1.2 SECONDARY DATA SOURCES

Secondary data is the information that is already published in books, journals, reports, dissertations, etc. It helps in understanding the study topic`s depth, its gaps and the applied theories. Secondary data provides variety of information in different fields such as social, economic, geographic and demographic. This study has significant secondary data that serves in introducing the study’s problem and exploring international contributions to reduce the implications of climate change, particularly sea level rise through certain practices and policies in their mitigation and adaptation tools.