Integrated Data Analysis (Appendices D9; D10;D11;D12)

The Conceptual Framework, and the Research Questions – JSS Items Matrix that this researcher developed established ‘counterpart relationship’ between interview data and survey data as far as analysis was concerned (Yin, 2006).

The first research question explored the possible impact of INGO mission on the job satisfaction of its employees and the relevant questionnaire items focused on nature of work, communication and rewards facets of job satisfaction. The second research question dealt with employees’ practical experience of working according to their organisations’ principles and values.

The relevant job satisfaction subscales considered under this question were nature of work, rewards and communication. The third research question addressed effects of working relations between headquarters and field locations on job satisfaction of employees in both locations. This question was linked with questionnaire items dealing with supervision and communication facets of job satisfaction.

Relevant subscales for the fourth research question that considered the impact of HRM practices on job satisfaction were those of salary, communication, co-workers, promotion, supervision, fringe benefits, contingent rewards and operating conditions. The last research question was a comparative one that looked at similarities and differences in job satisfaction perceived by research participants based in the Untied Kingdom and Africa. All the nine facets of job satisfaction covered by the 36 questionnaire items were considered in carrying out comparative analysis of nature and level of job satisfaction based on research participants; locations.

This researcher sorted the coded interview data according to location and compared analysis of forms of job satisfaction derived from interview data with the result of location based analysis of survey data (Bazeley, 2009).

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Analysis and interpretation of data were carried out based on research questions.

For each research question, results of cross-tabulation of relevant variables were considered alongside interview data in order to locate ‘congruent findings. E.g. How the themes identified in the qualitative data collection compare with the statistical results in the quantitative analysis’ (Onwuegbuzie &

Collins, 2007: 291). Following realists’ retroductive reasoning process (Olsen, 2007), this researcher also examined both forms of data for contradictions (Olsen, 2007), elaboration and complementarity. By using the quantitative element of this research to complement qualitative analysis of interview data, the researcher turned triangulation into dialectical practice (Olsen, 2002). He triangulated methods with clear understanding that in combining qualitative and quantitative research methods quantitative results served to complement but not validate findings from qualitative analysis (Kelle, 2006; McEvoy & Richards, 2006; Morse, 2006; Woolley, 2009). By synthesising findings from interview data with results from statistical analysis of questionnaire responses and interpreting them jointly, this researcher achieved data integration ‘through analysis, rather than as a conclusion to analysis’ (Bazeley, 2009: 205).

In Chapter 5, qualitative analysis of interview data and quantitative analysis of survey data were not presented separately as in most mixed methods studies in order to avoid producing ‘a report which is disjointed and potentially repetitive. [It is] Better to progressively unveil relevant evidence on a path to a common conclusion , than to organise on the basis of methods used

‘(Bazeley, 2002: 9)

The discussion on research philosophy in Chapter 3 and detailed explanation of research methods in this chapter reflect this researcher’s appreciation of the implications of

‘epistemological concerns in [the]integration [of research methods] ‘ for research credibility and validity (Bazeley, 2009:203). The explanation of conceptual framework and research process demonstrate that the methods applied in this research satisfy key criteria of ‘multiple validities’ and ‘paradigmatic

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mixing’. Put differently, this researcher’s ‘epistemological, ontological, axiological, methodological and rhetorical beliefs that underlie the quantitative and qualitative approaches are [have been] successfully (a) combined or (b) blended into a usable package’ (Onwuegbuzie & Johnson, 2006:57) in this research.

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4.8.1 Ethical Considerations

The fieldwork for this research finished before Nottingham Trent University implemented a formal research ethics approval procedure. However, with the guidance of his supervisors and drawing on learning from his social research methods training, this researcher followed basic ethical guidelines in carrying out the fieldwork reported in this chapter.

This researcher forwarded letters to individuals and INGOs (Appendices D13 &

D14) in Africa and the United Kingdom to explain what his research was about and to solicit participation in either or both job satisfaction survey and in-depth interviews. The JSS was attached to both versions of the letter that assured INGOs and their employees of the confidentiality of the data that would be gathered.

4.8.2 Research Survey

This researcher gave his Nottingham Trent University email address to INGO officials or potential research participants who might prefer that mode of communication. The researcher also provided self - addressed envelopes to encourage INGO employees to participate in the survey. Providing self-addressed envelopes for the return of completed questionnaires was one of the ways in which this researcher demonstrated his commitment to data confidentiality.

In order to guarantee their anonymity, the researcher gave survey participants the option of leaving out their names and other particulars such as gender and nationality that they might not be prepared to share with him. After coding, each questionnaire was filed in a folder that was locked up in this researcher’s drawers for privacy and data protection reasons (Buchanan &

Bryman, 2007).

162 4.8.3 In-depth Interviews

Each in-depth interview lasted for an average of 90 minutes and it was preceded by a short briefing by the researcher on key issues relating to ethical conduct of this research. The briefing was conducted based on a guide that this researcher prepared to ensure that he covered all key points (Appendix D1).

This researcher identified himself and told each interview participant briefly about his background, and the purpose the research. He explained to the participants how they were selected, and why they were important to the research. The researcher explained to participants how he would ensure their anonymity and the confidentiality of information they were about to volunteer. The researcher requested each participant’s permission to record the interview and explained why that was important. Interview participants were informed that they were free to turn down the researcher’s request to record the interviews. The researcher explained them that they could request that the tape recorder be turned off at any time during interviews. Participants were assured that there were no right or wrong answers to the questions and that they were free to request that the researcher repeat or clarify his questions or comments. This researcher explained to the participants that tape recorded interviews would be transcribed and that interview tapes would be destroyed at the completion of this research. All the 35 interviewees except one agreed that interviews be tape recorded. A senior official of a humanitarian relief INGO based in East Africa said that he was uncomfortable with having his views recorded on tape. This researcher took notes of his discussion with the official.

The particulars of interview participants such as names, ages, gender, job titles, organisations, nationalities, locations, dates and interview locations were recorded using a fact sheet template designed by the researcher. For privacy and data protection purposes (Buchanan

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& Bryman,2007), this researcher protected the template, interview transcripts and other research documents saved on his computer laptop by using a password that he alone knew.

This researcher transcribed twenty out of the 34 recorded interviews and the remaining 14 were transcribed by professional transcribers using the template that the researcher provided. This researcher labelled interview tapes according to unique serial numbers to protect the identities of the participants. The researcher safely locked up tapes of transcribed interviews for confidentiality purposes and to ensure that the data quality was not compromised in any way.