Inferential Statistical Analysis

To ensure the data analysis process for the quantitative data led to reliable and meaningful outcomes, various inferential statistics were undertaken to determine the significance of the relationships identified including cross tabulations, chi square tests and correlations. For the correlation tests, Spearman’s correlation was deemed more appropriate for this research due to the nature of the data gathered.

There are two types of Chi-square test - the independency test and the goodness of fit test, also known as the One sample Chi-square test. The former is used to test whether there is an association or link between two set of variables (bivariate) (Denscombe 2010). While the latter is used in univariate data to justify whether the sample is a representation of the population, this is ascertained when the differences between the expected and observed frequencies are significant (De Vaus, 2002). Since the data in the study are univariate, the researcher adopted the goodness of fit test. In an attempt to further explain the one sample Chi-square test, De Vaus (2002) tested whether the distribution or responses were similar or different across the categories or variables by comparing the set of observed and expected data. One sample chi-square begins with assuming that the views of population are equally distributed across the response categories in each variable. Thus, when the p value is less than 0.05, the null hypothesis can be rejected, that is to say that the results are statistically significant. In this study, a variable with three or more categories could be tested to ascertain whether the differences between the percentages across the categories were as a result of

128 error due to sampling or whether it reflected the real percentage difference in the population (De Vaus, 2002). The null hypothesis is therefore described as follows:

H0: The percentages of all categories of each variable are equal to the specified population. To help with the formulation of ideas for the chi square test, cross tabulations were run based on the variables of the research. Based on the results of the cross tabulations, Pearson Chi square tests were used to determine the significance of the relationships identified. These cross tabulations, correlations and chi square tests were used to determine and help identify the interrelationships among the different variables and to help identify and form a better picture of the health and safety issues in the oil and gas construction projects in Saudi Arabia.

Reliability and Validity Checks

This is an essential process for establishing confidence in the results obtained and conclusions presented. To achieve reliability in this study, the transcribed data were read several times to ensure that they were free from any mistakes or omissions that could jeopardise the outcomes. In addition to this, the codes were cross-checked over and over to make sure that the codes were representations of every collected theme, word or phrase. As for the validity check, the researcher ensured that the themes were established in relation to the research question, aim and objectives of the study. In order to further check the process validity of the participants to the research, they were allowed to comment on the findings from the research. The details of this process was discussed in Chapter 7.

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Summary of Chapter Four

The use of an efficient research methodology supports the development of an accurate research study. This chapter presented the research approach, the research design and the research strategy necessary for the realisation of the research aim and objectives. It basically explained the various philosophical worldview or paradigms known as positivism and interpretivism and how they affected the mode of enquiry in social research. Under the aforementioned paradigms, the chapter explained the qualitative and quantitative research methods together with the implications for adopting each one. After thorough examination, both of them were selected as the research methods for the study. This pragmatic approach meant that there were different data collection methods and instruments and different sampling techniques and analytical methods.

For the qualitative method, a semi-structured interview was used to gather data necessary for the development of a model for health and safety management in Saudi Arabian oil and gas construction projects. The data entailed descriptions, explanations, narratives of experience and feelings and opinions of professionals on how to ameliorate health and safety. The data obtained were coded and analysed using thematic analysis. As for the quantitative method, a structured questionnaire was used with a series of close-ended questions to determine various factors such as the impact of health and safety policies, awareness of health and safety policies and the effectiveness of health and safety policies and practices among others. The data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistical tools such as frequency distribution and inferential statistics, in particular, the one sample chi-square test. However, these were calculated using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Finally,

130 the procedure employed to obtain permission from the University’s ethics committee was explained in this chapter.

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CHAPTER FIVE: QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS AND

DISCUSSIONS

Introduction to Chapter Five

The objective of this research is to develop a framework that can help construction health and safety managers to focus their priorities on factors that will reduce accidents on construction sites. The chapter achieves this by analysing and discussing the qualitative data obtained from the research participants through the interview process. The chapter specifically focuses on the following themes: the effectiveness of health and safety measures employed in Saudi oil and gas construction projects, the roles played by professionals in preventing accidents on site and the necessary health and safety measures to be employed in preventing exposure to health and safety risk. The chapter is divided into seven main sections: the process adopted in analysing the data including the building of themes, the demographics of the interviewees, planning for occupational health and safety, health and safety measures, the effectiveness of health and safety measures, the importance of health and safety measures and the barriers to achieving health and safety on construction sites.

Data Collection and Analysis

This study employed a qualitative approach while using a semi-structured interview to elicit data from nine professionals working in the Saudi oil and gas construction sector. The criteria for the selection of the interview participants were based on the position of the respondents in the organisational structure, the years of experience and the size of company. Since the

132 research entails developing a model for health and safety management in Saudi Arabian oil and gas construction projects, there was a need for participant input in the form of descriptions and elaborations.

Thus, some degree of flexibility would be required in the form of follow up questions to obtain in-depth information, and the best way to acquire this flexibility was through a semi- structured interview. The 35-minute interviews were recorded using a phone recorder app and were later transcribed word for word in order to organise and prepare the data for analysis. The transcribed copy was read several times to have a good understanding of the general ideas and identify important suggestions related to the aim and objectives of the study (Creswell 2006, Flick 2009).

The data obtained from the interviews were analysed using a thematic analysis method. This method is particularly suitable when aiming to obtain rich and detailed meaning from an interview (Braun and Clarke, 2006). The method provides the researcher with the opportunity to obtain information from respondents and categorise them into themes and patterns to show similarities of views across the participants. To facilitate the analysis of the data, words, phrases and segments from the interview were systematically coded and categorised into themes. These themes were then further analysed to obtain patterns or relationships among the set of data which was then reported accordingly.

The different themes that were identified from the interview were: the importance and benefits of implementing health and safety; its effectiveness in each respondent’s organisation; health and safety measures and the roles of respondents in preventing accidents

133 on construction projects. Details of the analytical process are presented in the methodology chapter.

Demographics of Interviewees

A total of nine professionals working on the construction projects were interviewed for this research. These personnel are knowledgeable and familiar with health and safety on construction sites and this formed the basis for the purposeful selection of the participants. A general overview of the interviewees is presented in Table 5.1.

Table 5.1: Demographic information on interviewees

Respondents ROLE Work

experience in years Size of organisation Level of management/position R1 Environmental Health and Safety General Manager

10 Large-sized Upper level

R2 Environmental Health and Safety Inspector

7 Large-sized Middle level

R3 Maintenance and Monitoring Inspector

5 Large-sized Lower level

R4 Assistant General Manager

12 Medium-sized Upper level

R5 Marketing Manager 5 Medium-sized Middle level R6 Operations Operator 3 Medium-sized Lower level

R7 Executive Manager 9 Small-sized Upper level

R8 Maintenance Manager 3 Small-sized Middle level R9 Health and Safety

Supervisor

134 According to Table 5.1, the respondents for this research worked at different levels and sizes of companies and had different roles. Notably among the job roles were health and safety managers who were in charge of developing policies for the companies.

The personnel involved in the interviews were: Environmental Health and Safety Managers (R1), Environmental Health and Safety Inspectors (R2), Maintenance and Monitoring Inspectors (R3), Assistant General Managers (R4), Marketing Managers (R5), Operations Operators (R6), Executive Managers (R7), Maintenance Managers (R8) and Health and Safety Supervisors (R9).