RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
3.5 Methodological Procedures of Data Analysis
Data analysis is the process of bringing order, structure, and meaning to the mass of
collected data. In qualitative research data analytic procedures are divided into five forms,
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emergent hypothesis against the data; searching for alternative explanations of the data;
and writing the report (Marshal & Rossman, 1995).
Transcribing
Based on information noted in interview protocols, recorded interview and field notes, I
prepared a complete transcription of each interview in Bengali just after returning home
from research site. I read the transcription several times and compare it with notes,
protocols and recordings so that any important information did not lose. In the following
days, transcribed interviews were translated into English. Translations of interviews were
compared several times with original transcriptions to keep original meaning intact. The
transcription of interviews and its translation into English was too hard because the
researcher need to work meticulously so that pertinent meanings of the interviews were
not lost.
Generating Categories
This is the most difficult, complex, ambiguous and creative phase of data analysis. The
translated transcripts were read many times and the researcher tried to categorize the
information following the main theoretical framework of this study (explained in chapter
three). Data were first compiled according to each RMG site, following the main two
categories of labour justice; agency freedom and well-being freedom, and different sub-
categories under these two keeping data separate from each case. Then data of different
cases were assembled following the above mentioned categories.
Searching for alternative explanation
Marshall & Rossman (1995) note that alternative explanation is always existed for
acquired data. The researcher must search for, identify, and describe them and then
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researcher demonstrated the possible alternative explanation of the obtained data and
made linkages to previous and future research.
3.6 Trustworthiness (Validity and Reliability)
Trustworthiness of a study is of crucial importance for a qualitative research.
Methodological rigor is very significant in a study using a qualitative design, and it is
particularly important for this study because interview place and sample selection
processes followed were beyond the traditional ways, that can be new path for future
researcher. Patton (1990) notes that the qualitative research has an obligation to be
methodological in reporting sufficient details of data collection and the process of
analysis to permit others to judge the quality of the resulting product (p. 462). In reaching
the criteria of trustworthiness of a qualitative research, Lincoln and Guba (1985) framed
few questions to which all research must respond: how credible are the particular findings
of the study and how it can be judged? How transferable and applicable are these findings
to another setting or group of people? Whether the findings of this study would be
replicated if the study were conducted with the same participants in the same context?
And, whether the findings are reflective of the subjects and the inquiry itself rather than a
creation of the researcher’s biases or prejudices? These four questions can be summarized
as: truth-value (credibility), applicability (transferability), consistency (dependability) and
neutrality (confirmability).
Credibility
Credibility exists when a study presents recognizable descriptions or interpretations of
human experience for people with shared experiences (Sandelowski, 1986). Lincoln &
Guba (1985) describe two ways for attaining credibility; carrying out the inquiry in such
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allowing the respondents to look at and evaluate the findings of the study. To enhance the
credibility, I have followed few techniques, such as, triangulation of data, prolong
engagement, persistent observation and cross checks.
Triangulation: Triangulation is the act of bringing more than one means to achieve objectives of a specific study. Explaining the aim of triangulation, Patton (1990) notes,
“triangulation is a process by which the researcher can guard against the accusation that a
study’s findings are simply an artifact of a single method, a single source or a single
investigator’s biases” (p. 470). Triangulation helps to complement the limitation of a
particular method or sources of the data. Denzin (1978) developed four types of
triangulation: data sources, methods, investigator and theory. This study adopted
triangulation process in data sources and methods. Triangulation of data sources is
achieved by involving workers, employers, state’s representatives, buyers’
representatives, NGO activists. This study has also attained triangulation of methods by
using different data collection techniques such as, interviewing, documents review,
observation and FGD.
Prolong engagement: Prolonged engagement means investment of sufficient time to achieve certain purposes, such as learning the culture, testing for misinformation
introduced by distortion either of the self or of the respondents and building trust (Lincoln
and Guba, 1985). I was born and brought in the same culture which was helpful for me to
understand the cultural dynamics of women’s labour market participation. Being a native
speaker of Bengali, I became able to explore the concealed meaning of the key terms that
the participants used during interview. Moreover, I had past experience of carrying out
research in the same field that made me capable and more efficient of uncovering the
hidden facts that lead to marginalization and exploitation of women workers in the RMG
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Persistent observation: The purpose of persistent observation is to identify those characteristics and elements in the situation that are the most relevant to the problem or
issue being pursued and focusing on them in detail (Lincoln & Guba, 1985, p. 304). I
made extensive field visits for seven months. During the period of the field visit, I was in
close contact with either to research participants or observing the factories. Moreover, I
attended a number of demonstrations organized by different labour unions and
participated in many symposiums and seminars on worker rights and Bangladesh
Garment Industry.
Cross check: For cross checking the data, interview participants were selected from different groups involving the representative from employers, workers, buyers, NGOs,
MNCs, civil society and state.
Transferability
Transferability refers to the applicability of one set of findings to another context. Lincoln
and Guba (1985) note that transferability in qualitative is the usefulness of utilizing the
study process and its results in the context of another time and place. The question is to
what extent this study ensures transferability and in what ways. Apparently, the issue of
transferability or generalizability in a qualitative study is problematic since qualitative
research is conducted in a particular social context. However, Marshall and Rossman
(1995) have identified two strategic ways for increasing transferability. The first strategic
way is to follow a theoretical framework that guides the data collection and analysis of
the research. The second is the triangulation where multiple sources of data collection are
followed. Marshall and Rossman (1995) says, “designing a study in which multiple cases,
multiple informants, or more than one data gathering method are used can greatly
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multiple cases, informants and data collection methods that strengthens the reliability of
the data, it is anticipated that finding of this study is also applicable to other settings.
Dependability
Dependability refers to the researcher’s attempts to account for changing conditions in the
phenomenon chosen for the study as well as changes in the design created by increasingly
refined understanding of the setting (Marshall & Rossman, 1995, p. 145). It was enhanced
through consultation with methodological experts and triangulation of approaches and
methods to overcome the weaknesses of one by other. I presented the methodological
outlines in seminar arranged by the department where many experts were present
including but not limited to Professor Ida Regalia, Professor Lorenzo Bordogna,
Professor Gabriele Ballarino, Professor Masimo Pallini and Professor Renata Semenza.
Moreover, I visited the field in two phases. After the first phase of data collection, I came
to my university and consulted to my supervisor and presented the findings in seminars to
get the opinions of the experts. Then I moved to Monmouth University, USA where I
spent one semester with an expert Professor Golam M. Mathbor who had long
experiences in qualitative research and social justice with particular focus on Bangladesh.
During this time, I presented my dissertation project in a faculty forum10. With the feedback that I received through these presentations, I made the second visit to
compensate the limitations in the first trip.
Confirmability
Confirmability refers whether the findings of the study could be confirmed by other
(Marshall & Rossman, 1995). The finding of this research is similar to many other
10
It is a central platform for Monmouth University’s faculties and international scholars to share their knowledge and innovative ideas with other colleagues working within the university which holds twice a year.
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researches in the area of globalization and worker rights. I have mentioned many of the
previous researches in support of the findings of the study in the chapter five.