SAMPLING

In researches where public opinion is essential, it is frequently impractical and not possible to examine the whole population. For that reason, it is necessary to investigate a representative number of people so that a consideration of what most people think can be made. In other words, general findings concerning the public opinions need to be made through an examination of only samples (Li, 1998). This motivates the need of preparing very comprehensible, neat and organised questionnaire for the participants.

Therefore, in order to ensure that the designed questionnaire is practical for the targeted population in this perspective, a pilot study is conducted with randomly selected 10 residents

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living near to building construction sites in Kyrenia. During the pilot study the previously prepared questionnaire questions were asked. Some of them pointed out the two questions difficult to understand and these questions were reworded. These alterations were comprised of particular phrases used in the questionnaire with the intention of avoiding ambiguity hence, escalate clarity of the questions.

Referring to the discussions in section 5.3, author took notice of previous studies and decided to narrow down the samples by integrating people who reside within 150 m of a construction site for this specific study.

Last but not least, it was a must for the participants of the questionnaire to be at 18 years of age or over and permanently living at the visited address. This was due to fact that, participants’ mindfulness needed to be well enough so that they can give out reliable responses on behalf of the other households when needed. For example, if a teen living with his/her parents opens the door, he/she should be able to answer how many times their parents take the car into a carwash in a month.

Subsequent to the pilot study in three major cities of north Cyprus namely, Famagusta, Nicosia, and Kyrenia 4 building construction sites were selected from each of them. While selecting those construction sites the attention paid so that, there are more residents within 150m of them. Having fixed the sites, the residents that are eligible to participate in this principal study, the abovementioned questionnaire is performed with a total of 266 respondents in July 2012.

I. Famagusta; it is known as the student city of north Cyprus because about 30% of the population is composed of students. It is one of the fastest developing cities due to continuing needs for residential/commercial buildings. In the beginning, in various residential areas/neighbourhoods of this city, 4 different on-going construction sites have been selected. Afterwards, for each construction site, about 21 people residing within 150 m of the construction site was participated. Total number of participants for this study in Famagusta was 83.

II. Kyrenia; it is known as the tourism city of north Cyprus. It has many hotels and crowded residential areas (many people have summer houses in this city). Like the other cities of north Cyprus it is still a developing city. Many hotels, residential and commercial building construction are in progress. Just as the participants of Famagusta, within 150 m of each of 4 construction sites, about 21 different people

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participated into the questionnaire. Total number of participants for this study in Kyrenia was 82.

III. Nicosia; it is the capital city in north Cyprus. It is known as the civil servant city and it is very crowded both in terms of the population and the residential areas. There are many ongoing constructions in Nicosia. Again four construction sites in residential areas of the most populated neighbourhoods have been selected for this city. Roughly about 25 people residing within 150m of each of 4 construction sites participated in to questionnaire. Total number of participants for this study in Nicosia was 101.

In order to reach as high response rate as possible, the author collaborated with one of the leading polling companies in north Cyprus. By supplying 10 pollsters at each city to undertake door to door questionnaire on behalf of the researcher was a factor that minimised the effect of time constraint.

For each city, pollsters have been given a map that was beforehand prepared by the author indicating which neighbourhoods/streets they should go and look for participants. Prior to undertaking the questionnaire, author has given a 30 minutes presentation to the pollsters and explained to them how to deal with the possible questions of the participants, and with whom to conduct the study. For instance, pollsters have been informed that the participants must be a person who is 18 years of age or above hence, is aware of the daily behaviours of the rest of the house members.

It was highlighted to the pollsters that, participants’ gender, ethnicity, profession and/or health condition is not important in terms of the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Within the specified criteria, by door to door visits, pollsters conducted the filling out of the questionnaire forms. Pollsters have initially provided the participants with the invitation letter given in Appendix B, and then they were asked to read and sign the participant consent (attached in Appendix C) form if they agree to attend to this study.

Pollsters have read out the questions to the participants in order to lessen the duration of the questionnaire so that the participants do not get bored hence, their responses do not get affected or questions are not left blank. Each questionnaire has lasted for about 30 minutes.

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6.4 VOLUNTARY NATURE OF THE STUDY / CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE