The research objectives, designed to provide answers to the research questions are achieved using a multi-method mix of geo-spatial, qualitative and quantitative methods/approaches outlined in Table 1.5.
Table1.5: Approach to Achieving Research Objectives/Answer Research Questions Research Objectives/Questions Method/Approach
To synthesize the background literature on investment in highway development in Nigeria and the prevalence of delays and abandonment in project delivery with emphasis on the Niger Delta region due to its peculiar geologic setting. (Q1)
Literature Review (Descriptive/Explanatory)
To critically evaluate the theoretical and methodological lenses that have been used in previous studies to explain the propagation of cost overruns in highway projects, as a platform for highlighting significant gaps which have implications for this study. (Q2)
Theoretical Literature Review (Critical Analysis)
To critically evaluate and select an adequate philosophical/methodological orientation relevant to provide rich insights into the phenomena of cost overruns in highway projects executed in the Niger Delta. (Q3)
Review of literature on Methodology (Critical Evaluation)
To analyse the heterogeneous configuration of the Niger Delta terrain, and the peculiar practicalities necessary for highway construction, as a case study justification of its inherent geologic distinctiveness for triggering cost overruns. (Q4)
Geologic Literature Vs Field Work Analysis:
(Geo-spatial Statistical Analysis)
To identify the specific mediums of financial risk containment of geologic risks, from best practice, which emphasize the need for adequate geotechnical input in highway projects, as potential triggers to cost overruns (Q5).
Literature on Best Practices (Exploratory)
To examine the level of adherence/deviations in the design/costing practices of highway agencies in the Niger Delta, in line with the precepts of the identified geotechnical best practices, as a basis of ascertaining the suspected gaps in knowledge presupposed as the underlying cost overrun drivers. (Q6)
(Deductive) Interview Analysis (Thematic Analysis)
To develop a statistically valid model and cognitive map of geotechnical best practice based drivers to cost overruns, predicted on the heterogeneous geologic configuration of the Niger Delta region, as basis of accounting for the level of variance induced by geotechnical triggers. Q7)
Regression Analysis, Content Analysis and Cognitive Mapping
(Data Triangulation)
The overall structure of the thesis in terms of the configuration of the chapters follows, the conceptual outline of the research methodology projected by the researcher as a mind map relating the key elements of the study, as shown in Figure 1.4. However, a reflexive adaptation of the research design was warranted in response to unanticipated non-geotechnical themes that emerged during the analysis of the interviews, as highlighted in Figure 1.4.
Figure1.4: Conceptual Mind Map of the Research Design
Le ad out Le ad in C or e Background literature on highway Investment in the study area
Theoretical and Technical Literature Explanations on Cost Overrun
Exploratory Geostatistical Analysis: Geo-spatial Vs Cost- overrun Data for highway projects in the Niger Delta
Levels of Geotechnical Input (GI) Latent Geologic Cost
Overrun Drivers
Interplay of Latent Geologic/Geotechnical Pathogens with Emergent Organisational, Socio-Cultural, Skills Gap and Psychological
Barriers to Geotechnical Input
Historical Antecedents to Highway Investment Failures in Nigeria, and Technical Peculiarities to Cost Overruns in the Niger Delta Region
Dialectical Debates in the Literature outlined, and Methodological Shortcomings Identified
Geologic Triggers to Cost Overruns in Highway Projects executed in the Heterogeneous Ground Conditions of the Niger Delta Statistically Explained
Explained Variation: Regression Modelling of Levels of GI
in projects and Latent Geologic Cost-Overrun Drivers in the Niger
Delta Theoretical Framework/Gaps in the Literature Explanations to Cost-Overruns D at a Tr ian gu lat io n Unexplained Variation:
Content Analysis of Contextual Triggers to Cost Overruns in Highway
Projects Latent Geologically Induced Cost Overrun Drivers Optimised Explanatory Model of Cost Overruns Drivers Cognitive Map of Variables Inducing Cost Growth in Highway Projects in
the Niger Delta
Best Practice Based Geotechnical Triggers to Cost Overruns in Highway Projects identified and used to develop interview template Conceptual Model of Geotechnical Drivers to Cost Overruns Exploratory Geotechnical Literature Review: Identify Geotechnical Best
Practices
Deductive Interview Analysis: Cost Overrun Drivers in Geotechnical Practice
Levels of Geotechnical Input in Project Designs and Costing deduced from Practices of Highway Organisations.
Thematic Analysis of Levels of Geotechnical Input in Project Phases Reflexive Inductive Interview Analysis: Emergent Barriers to Geotechnical Input
Emergent Organisational, Socio- Cultural, Skills and Psychological Barriers to geotechnical Input
Thematic Analysis of Emergent Barriers to Geotechnical Input Emergent Contextual Barriers Background Rationale of the Study
An inductive thematic analysis of emergent barriers, beyond the initial aim of the study, was thus carried out to incorporate the unanticipated social constructs, as part of the research findings. As shown in the research design, the findings from the initial analysis: the exploratory geo-statistical analysis of cost overrun data versus geotechnical index variables, and the deductive thematic analysis of geotechnical themes from the interviews were triangulated using regression analysis to explain the variance in cost overruns explained. The unexplained variation due to the emergent themes were further analysed using content analysis to proportionally assign weightings, as basis of cognitive mapping. The outcomes of the study, were a log-linear regression model of geotechnical pathogens, and a visual conceptual projection of the interplay between the geotechnical and emergent socio-constructs, through the pre and post contract phases of highway projects in the Niger Delta. The chapters of the thesis as shown in Figure 1.5 were thus structured in response to this reflexive adaptation of the research design.
Figure 1.5: Thesis Structure
The Core of the Research
Chapter 5: Exploratory Geologic/ Geotechnical Characterisation of the Niger Delta
Chapter 6: Geotechnical Best Practices
Chapter 7: Background to Interview Analysis
Chapter 8: Deductive Interview Analysis
Chapter 9: Inductive Interview Analysis
Chapter 10: Geo-spatial regression Modelling, Content Analysis and Cognitive mapping
The Lead-out
(Wider Research Implications) Chapter 11: Conclusion and Recommendations
forfurther studies
The lead-in
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Geo-political background
Chapter 3: The theoretical basis of cost overruns in highway projects