Chapter 3: Methodology
3.2 Research Design
The consideration of well-established steps to guide the development of the research design informed a consideration of research methodologies, critically appraised while taking into consideration the relevant parameters of the objectives to ultimately guide the selection of an appropriate method of investigation. One of the first steps in this study was to situate the researcher‘s epistemological worldview with a clear description of the personal perspective or intellectual bias in line with the research problem (Creswell & Creswell, 2017). In agreement, Miller-Young and Yeo (2015) affirm that theory and methodology are implicitly or explicitly intertwined with the research problem, leading to articulations and assumptions which define the nature of knowledge, learning method, and the researcher‘s investigative approach. In reviewing a scholastic exegesis on established worldviews, it has been reported that an intersection of politics, values, ideologies, religious beliefs, language, represents the social constructivist perspective (Given, 2008).
As reported in the previous chapter (Sections 2.7 and 2.8), studies which have investigated BIPV adoption in other contexts suggests that stakeholder opinions impact the decision to adopt BIPV (Prieto et al., 2017; Curtius, 2018). This summation and the above scholarly opinions, were considered in line with the assumption that the adoption of BIPV as an innovation is related directly or indirectly to the perspective and experiences of stakeholders in the study area. In defining my worldview, therefore, it seemed only logical, to position this investigation within the principles of social constructivism as the guiding foundational bearing for the study. Wilhelm Dilthey (1833–1911) and Edmund Husserl (1859–1938) were some of the early proponents of
this worldview which has become embroiled in research philosophy as the notion that the construction of knowledge is based on the individual‘s social interaction (Creswell &
Creswell, 2017; Given, 2008). It upholds the idea that in any social setting akin to a research context, knowledge is the result of social interaction, while experiences and backgrounds become the source of ideologies and opinions. These authors further suggested that the subjective meanings developed by individuals are varied.
Consequently, the researcher‘s role becomes one of the rigorous scrutiny to unearth the intricate layers, and patterns of meaning of these similar experiences. The research approach of this study is designed in line with these theorists.
A qualitative research approach is deemed appropriate when the priority is the evaluation of a subject by authentic human experience, unhinged by constraints of firmly defined prescriptive procedures, guidelines, or numerical statistics common to the quantitative ideology (White, 2011). This study, was therefore based on a social constructivist worldview which is translated by a qualitative research design. Morse (2009) provided a classic justification for the selection of a qualitative research design that aligns with the present investigation. She asserts that a conspicuous lack of accurate or unbiased theory and previous research justifies an exploratory study of qualitative breath to describe the phenomena and to develop theory. This exploratory description has also been suggested as the qualitative process which facilitates the researcher‘s understanding of meaning ascribed to a societal problem by individuals or groups of people (Creswell & Creswell, 2017).
Additionally, several qualitative investigations on BIPV adoption have been carried out in European (Curtius, 2018; Tabakovic et al., 2017), American (Mousa, 2014), and other international contexts (Goh et al., 2017; Prieto et al., 2017; Wall et al.,
2012a; Yang & Zou, 2016). As mentioned earlier, these studies have identified some barriers and drivers of BIPV adoption. However, specific governmental, environmental, socio-economic, and demographic characteristics of the UAE, differs from the structure in these other studies as expressed in the previous chapter (Sections 2.7 and 2.8). The UAE is also described as having a unique workforce distribution in the labor market which impacts the building construction industry (Adawi & Rwegasira, 2011; Al-Waqfi
& Al-Faki, 2015). For example, Muysken and Nour (2006) noted that about 90% of the workforce in the UAE is non-native.
In line with the foregoing, a qualitative research design with an exploratory approach is best suited to examine BIPV adoption based on the uniqueness of the UAE context. This will ensure relevance and validity, without subjective bias from other studies, and provide appropriate and actionable results. The need for this method and its specific advantage based on the foregoing are:
i. Position the research design to meet the requirement of an exploratory investigative approach in the absence of contextual data,
ii. Develop a specific research instrument that is amenable to the unique characteristics of the research context as no context-specific, literature- backed variables exist to guide an investigation, and
iii. Ascertain the opinions, and perspectives of participants in the context on the emerging field of BIPV.
This design, therefore, aims to engage individuals; to provide stories or experiences unique to them (Riessman, 2008). The information gathered during the investigation would significantly facilitate the development and representation of the participants‘ narratives, re-storied in a systematic order to reflect a collaboration of
participant and researcher views (Clandinin & Connelly, 2000; Creswell & Creswell, 2017; Given, 2008).
3.2.1 The Use of Interviews
The ensuing research design task was to identify a research method in keeping with the constructivist approach, which facilitates a scholastic inquiry of residents‘
opinions, towards developing a strong narrative on the subject of BIPV adoption in the UAE. The use of interviews is positioned as a qualitative research method akin to the researcher‘s social constructivist worldview (Given, 2008). A focus on participant interviews for data collection facilitates the researcher‘s epistemological development of the subject from the perspective of those actually experiencing it. This, however, calls for broad-based and general questioning, and a reliance on the participant‘s views to guide the construction of meaning during interactions or interviews (Creswell &
Creswell, 2017).
Supported by these theoretical underpinnings, the use of interviews was selected as the preferred method for this investigation. Reflecting on the advantages of interviews; it serves as a tool to extract and produce knowledge generated from conversations and interactions (Cohen et al., 2013; Kvale, 1996). This process intrinsically allows for an emphasis on the social positioning of the research data, and allows the researcher to use spontaneity in the process of seeking answers for complex issues (Cohen et al., 2013). The adoption of interviews, specifically or flexibility worded, using predetermined but open-ended questions, followed sequentially or otherwise, allows for a wide range of participant responses (Given, 2008).
3.2.2 Participant Selection and Sampling
Defining the criteria for the selection of participants was carried out in conjunction with certain theoretical principles. One major consideration was that the knowledge of study participants would directly impact the quality of the interviews and the data collected (Creswell & Creswell, 2017; Melton, 2018). Also, the selected social constructivist worldview hinges on some consensus in the opinions of key or qualified participants to validate the credibility of interviews (Given, 2008). It was, therefore, critical to identify key informants in the UAE whose perspectives will give a credible and holistic view of the BIPV adoption barriers and/or drivers.
Other studies carried out on stakeholder perception of BIPV adoption in literature have suggested that there are potentially seven (7) stakeholders or key informant groups (Curtius, 2018; Mousa, 2014; Prieto et al., 2017). These are: architects, clients, policy-makers, PV specialists, researchers, engineers, and developers. This list was considered acceptable, and adapted for this study for three reasons. Firstly, BIPV are specifically related to the design of buildings, and these stakeholders are majorly connected with the traditional design, and building teams. Secondly, the findings of these studies show how multiple perspectives can provide holistic data. Thirdly, the list is aligned with a study specifically on stakeholders involved with the BIPV market diffusion (Osseweijer et al., 2018).
With specific reference to the study context, however, further considerations were defined in the selection of study participants. The length of stay in the UAE was one of these. The UAE has a significant expatriate population about 90%, (Muysken &
Nour, 2006) made up of over 200 nationalities (UAE Factsheet, 2020). Those who are
employed in the UAE, with a residency status, not those on visit or tourist visas, are generally employed for short-term, though renewable, work contracts. To ensure that credible information was collected for this study, residency in the UAE for over two years which is a common work contract duration, was made a criterion for selecting study participants. This would allow, for example, building professionals, participating in the study to gain a better understanding of project design and construction supervision in the UAE. Also, technically-inclined participants chosen for the study were those currently employed in a company or institution registered and active in the UAE, and which fits into one of the stakeholder groups. For non-technical participants, the residency length requirement could further, aid their understanding of unique social and contextual issues. This would relate to housing and rent payment system, payment of utility bills, and the general cost of living. These experiences might together, directly or indirectly orient the individuals‘ mindset, and understanding in view of the topic under consideration.
To broaden the possibility of acquiring balanced study findings, participants were also sought from different Emirates, gender, and nationalities. This consideration was based on the fact that the seven UAE Emirates advocate slightly different energy and environmental policies (Davidson, 2007). Although these secondary demographic criteria are more applicable to quantitative studies, their consideration in this research is justified as an attempt at inclusivity to ensure that different perspectives are considered.
In selecting a sampling method with key informants for this study, multiple approaches were used to identify study participants. Consequently, purposeful sampling to pick potential participants in the context was selected. Snowballing and recommendations from interviewed individuals were also applied.
These various strategies, chosen to reach the most reliable participants, led to multiple emails, telephone calls, and personal visits to request permission to conduct the research interviews. As expressed in the study limitations at the end of this chapter, several requests were denied, and some received delayed or no response at all. At a broader level, the goal of participant selection was to gather sufficient data from key informants to exact a strong narrative that addresses the research objectives. Principles of flexibility in the sample size and data saturation were applied to determine, when collected, the data exhaustively provided enough information on specific issues raised during the interviews. Beyond these guiding principles by Charmaz (2006), constant review of the study objectives in light of the participant opinions was carried out between respective interviews to ensure that data collected was applicable, confirmatory, and insightful.