Interpretative Data Analysis

When the interviews had been completed the author conducted a detailed interpretative analysis of the data.319 This was carried out through a multi-stage analysis of the data. Throughout each stage the author constantly referred to the original interview transcripts so as to be confident that the themes and mechanisms arising from the interpretation were an accurate reflection of what the participant had originally detailed, and had not been influenced in any way by the previous knowledge or expectations of the researcher. During each stage of the analysis process the relevant analysis of each individual

318

A detailed examination of the ethical issues pertaining to this research is contained in Appendix C and the consent form is in Appendix D

transcript was completed before progressing to the subsequent interview. As this process progressed from stage to stage themes that initially started as being broad evolved, where necessary, to become more refined and focused.320 These stages were informed by previous IPA methodologies which have been incorporated and adapted in order to form the most productive analysis technique for the present research.321

6.5 Validity

The issue of validity is not strongly associated with the application of IPA, or terrorism research for that matter.322 However, there was a concerted effort in the present research to produce results which could be considered as valid as possible. There were a number of measures taken in order to obtain the validity of results.

The rigorous analysis process, coupled with an unbiased questioning technique is the predominant validating method applied. It has been noted that some of the main criteria in the validation of research are commitment and rigour.323 At each stage of the research process the author has endeavoured to be as rigorous as possible. This rigour and

commitment is exemplified in the multi-stage analytic process. Throughout this process there was a conscious effort that the interpretation of the data stayed true to the initial intentions of each of the participants.

During the sampling process there was a concerted effort to access the opinions of

participants from both sides of the splits at both an ordinary member and leadership level. These individuals were also questioned as external observers to the splits which they had not participated in. This purposive sampling was strengthened by the presence of those who had left a Republican group at a time other than a split. They could speak as people with no present affiliation with any group. This sampling process can be regarded as a form of triangulation whereby the opinions of people and groups of differing perspectives

320 _{This is in agreement with how most IPA studies are interpreted. See for example Burgess et al. (2007)} 321 _{For a detailed description of the stage-based process see Appendix E}

322

Silke (2001). 323

Yardley, L. (2000). Dilemmas in Qualitative Health Research. Psychology & Health, 15, (pp.25-228); Yardley, L. (2008). Demonstrating Validity in Qualitative Psychology. In J.A. Smith (Ed.), Qualitative Psychology: A Practical Guide to Methods (2nd Edition). London: Sage.

were taken into consideration before final conclusions were made.324 As well as the opinions of different groups being analysed so too were the opinions of members at different levels of these groups. Therefore the viewpoints of both leadership and ordinary or rank and file members were able to be compared and contrasted.

Throughout the interview process there was reference by various participants to specific documents and/or speeches which had a significant influence on the splits for them at an individual level and/or for the split at a group level. The regularity of this occurrence indicated the important role which these sources had to play in the research. Therefore throughout the write up of the results section of the analysis some of these are referred to in order to support or at times question the validity of the results. The sources analysed included policy documents, speeches, influential journalistic articles, as well as

statements of support or opposition. While a number of these sources were brought to the attention of the researcher by interview participants there were also a variety of

documents which were sourced independently during the process of the research. These documents provided a more complete awareness of the context in which the split took place. While the interview data gathered provides an unrivalled insight the use of these documented sources offers information and opinions untainted by years of thought and debate. One can argue that an interview based research project separated by as

significant a timescale between event and interview as this one is can be adversely affected by the deterioration or distortion of memories. While this may be the case it is not believed to have had a significant impact on the present research. With specific reference to those documents which detailed why and how the splits took place they have not been considered as portraying absolute truths. Alternatively they should be regarded as reflections of the opinions of the authors and/or the leadership of the groups at the time of production. These documents were often times produced so as to have influence the membership and/or support of the group as well as the potential membership and/or support.

324 _{Yardley (2008)}

A final process of dealing with the issue validity was the application of verification techniques. These techniques were specifically applied when a participant was introducing a new event which had previously not arisen in previous interviews or research. In such cases it was important for the research to specifically verify the timing and authenticity of these events described. This was carried out so as to validate whether or not these specific events could possibly have had an affect on the split at a group level and/or the decision making process of the individual being interviewed. This verification process involved the research consulting various reference books and newspaper articles from the time of the events being referred to. This is a variation of the process outlined through the use of Republican published documents and speeches. However during this verification process external sources were also utilised. This process was extremely necessary when the participant referred to specific murders and/or attacks as well as specific speeches and meetings. The implied importance of these events had to be verified in accordance with the series of events being described. With regards to certain cases it transpired that events which participants had attributed significance to in the lead- up to the split had actually taken place after the split. During this verification process the inaccuracies on behalf of the participants generally affected the description of the split from a group point of view. The participants rarely made factual errors when detailing their own individual decision making process.

6.6 Chapter Summary

The purpose of this chapter has been to outline how the research was completed. The utilisation of a purposive sampling techniques based on the triangulation of opinions was integral to the development of significant sample group to interview about the splits. The sample included individuals from all groups at all levels. The interview data was

analysed using IPA. This included a multi-stage analysis in which the interview transcripts were analysed at both an individual and a group level. The interviews were carried out in a semi-structured manner. The importance of research ethics was dominant at all stages of the research, and was especially important with regards the safety of individual participants as well as the researcher. The present research has approached the importance of validity in the utilisation of a rigorous interview and analytical

methodology as well as the triangulation of opinions through the purposive sampling of participants and the analysis of significant secondary and tertiary documents produced in or around the time of the splits.

Chapter 7