In order to assess the research problem and the objectives of the study, the research strategy was divided into two main categories namely, primary and the secondary sources.
1.8.1. Secondary sources
According to Anderson and Poole (2009: 22) secondary sources of information are summaries of information gathered from primary sources. In this study, the secondary data was obtained from sources such as e-journals, online research
As suggested by Struwig and Stead (2010: 80), a researcher must firstly examine secondary data carefully to make sure it fits the needs of the research. Struwig and Stead (2010: 80) further suggest that a researcher must also determine the reliability of the data collected. This can be done by examining the internal consistency, test-retest reliability or the validity of the data to determine whether the data has been collected and reported with care and precision (Struwig and Stead, 2010: 80).
For the purpose of this study, a comprehensive systematic review of literature was performed to assess the accessibility of residential property development in South Africa. This review of literature revealed the limited amount of research available.
Furthermore, it was found that to date, no studies accurately determining the rate of development have been undertaken. Further limitations were found regarding possible factors contributing to delay in the development of residential property in South Africa. As there is a paucity of information regarding the contributing factors unique to property development, most of the information regarding possible factors which may lead to delayed development, have been inferred from general property studies.
1.8.2. Primary sources
Primary sources of information include: first-hand accounts of experimentation and investigation (articles in professional journals, monographs, doctoral theses, interviews and questionnaires); original works (letters, diaries, eyewitness accounts, poems, novels, autobiographies) and reports (proceedings of parliament, court testimony, reports of government departments and agencies, annual reports)
(Anderson and Poole, 2009: 22). For the purpose of this study, a quantitative questionnaire was used as the primary data collection method and was circulated among residential property developers, conveyance firms and real estate agencies.
This was done to enhance the reliability and validity of the study.
1.8.3. Sample
Struwig and Stead (2010: 117) mention that the sampling method selected by the researcher is crucial as it forms the foundation for assumptions and deductions made about the primary data collected. Sampling procedures can be divided into non-probability and probability sampling techniques. In non-probability sampling, the probability of any particular member of the population being chosen is unknown (Struwig and Stead, 2010: 111). In probability sampling, every element in the population has a known non-zero probability of selection (Struwig and Stead, 2010:
112). For the purpose of this study, a probability sampling technique was used and was limited to property developers, conveyance firms and real estate agencies. In order to achieve a satisfactory response rate, confidentiality was considered as a high priority.
1.8.4. Research methodology
The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible contributing factors affecting on-time delivery of the development of residential property in South Africa, and to develop a framework for the successful delivery of residential development in South Africa, especially in the context of time. The study was conducted by means
of a review of the related literature as well as a quantitative study, which adopted a statistical approach (Abrey, 2015: 16).
1.8.5. Measurement instrument
The quantitative research method used purposefully for this study, was conducted by means of a self-administered research questionnaire among the identified research sample. Perceptions and attitudes of property developers, conveyancers and real estate agents in the research sample were measured. The questionnaire items were assessed by a 7-point Likert-type scale.
1.8.6. Design of the survey
Two types of research methods can be utilised for research purposes, namely qualitative and quantitative. For this study, a quantitative research method was implemented. Struwig and Stead (2010: 4) explain that quantitative research is a form of conclusive research involving large representative samples and fairly structured data collection procedures. Struwig and Stead (2010: 4) further explain that the primary role of quantitative research is to test hypotheses. A hypothesis is a proposition (or statement) regarding the relationship between two or more variables (phenomena) and a hypothesis can be tested (Struwig and Stead, 2010: 4). This study used a questionnaire to gather data from respondents. Different variations of questionnaires do exist and the most common types are those of interviewer administered questionnaires and self-administered questionnaires (Struwig and Stead, 2010: 89). In this study, different styles of questioning in the questionnaire were purposefully used to increase the likelihood of respondents answering the
questions accurately. The different types of questions used in this study varied from closed-ended and open-ended questions, multiple choice, dichotomous (yes/no options) and scaled responses. This allowed for a structured and unstructured questionnaire, which ensured validity and reliability of the questionnaire (Struwig and Stead, 2010: 94).
1.8.7. Design of the study
This study used a quantitative research methodology to facilitate the process of gathering data to address the research objectives. Data for the quantitative method can be gathered from primary sources, secondary sources, related research questions and the hypotheses. For the purpose of this study, the primary data was obtained by interpreting the self-administered research questionnaire responses. In addition to the primary data, the secondary data was collected from sources, which consisted of e-journals, online research studies, library books, online books, published articles, newspaper articles, magazines and post-graduate studies. The questionnaire was designed in such a manner that the questions relative to the study were easily and readily understood by the respondents. It was important to minimise the time required to complete the questionnaire to increase the response rate (Abrey, 2015: 17). Most of the questions were close-ended questions and consisted of a 7-point Likert-type scale to ensure ease of answering by respondents.
The research questionnaire was designed to include questions, which were short and concise to keep the respondents interested and enthusiastic in answering the questionnaire, without the loss of concentration. In addition, open-ended questions
opinions relative to the research topic (Abrey, 2015: 17). In this study, respondents were required to provide short answers in the interest of brevity, thus ensuring a quicker response time on the questionnaires. The questionnaire was presented in English and addressed for the attention of property developers, conveyance firms and real estate agencies. An attached covering letter assured the respondents that all of the responses would be treated with confidentiality. Furthermore, respondents were not asked to reveal any confidential information (Abrey, 2015: 17).
1.8.8. Collecting and interpreting the data
In this study, the following processes were taken into consideration. The quantitative data was obtained through interpretation, analysis and cross-referencing. The data from quantitative questionnaire responses was collected in an impartial and unbiased manner (Abrey, 2015: 18). The results and findings were presented in various forms such as text, tables and figures. The conclusions and recommendations were based upon the analysis of the primary and secondary data (Abrey, 2015: 18).