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System Data Interview

3. Methodology

3.1 Introduction

The project aims to be a comparative as well as an explanatory study which focuses on discovering the influences of systems change and system effects within organisational context, as defined in the aims and objectives. This chapter is an outline of how the primary research is carried out.

3.2 Philosophy

It is important to understand the different types of philosophical nature as,

‘The way we think about the development of knowledge, affects the way we go about doing research’ (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2003, p. 83)

There are many different views of the research process that dominate the literature as suggested above by Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill (2003). These are; Positivism, Interpretivism and Realism. Positivism philosophy uses quantitative data collection methods as it allows the focus on statistical data analysis, whereas Interpretivism philosophy tries to establish meaning within social context of research which can provide insight into a situation, hence using qualitative data collection methods (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2003). Realism philosophy is based on the belief that reality exists along with human ignorance (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2003). The philosophy that will be used is Interpretivism as the aims and objectives set require rich understanding which can be obtained through qualitative data collection methods.

3.3 Approach

This follows on to the approach that will be used; Deductive and Inductive. Deductive approach requires a new theory to be developed (Saunders, Lewis &Thornhill, 2003). In contrast, Inductive approach requires data to be collected first and theory to be developed later as a result of data analysis (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2003). This also relates with the objective of gaining an understanding of the subject area. Therefore an inductive approach will be used. The theory on how ‘information systems’ improves and transforms the organisational performance and working relationships at general practices and PCT will be developed, after collecting and analysing the data from the end users (doctors, nurses, administrators, it tech) interaction with the system.

3.4 Strategy

Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill (2003) state that:

‘Research strategy will be a general plan of how you will go about answering the research question you have set. It will contain clear objectives, derived from your research questions, specify the sources from which you intend to collect data and consider constraints that you will inevitably have.’

Therefore a Case study will be used to investigate the different IS evaluation frameworks and methods, to determine whether it transforms the organisation or improve efficiency at general practices.

Yin (2003) defines it as having:

‘Direct observation of the events being studied and interviews of the persons involved in the events’.

This coincides with another form of using ‘Observation’ as a strategy known as ‘Participant Observation’ where the researcher has had some kind of experience with the activities being investigated. It also contains all the essentials of qualitative data collection methods such as; systematic observation, recording, description, analysis and interpretation of technology, people and process at first glance (Cassell & Symon, 2004). In this case ‘Participant Observation’ will be used as the author has been involved with the NHS organisation through her work placement specifically in the IM&T department of PCT and GP Practices. Therefore the identity and purpose of the researcher is made clear and is able to negotiate access with the organisation.

Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill (2003) pointed out that:

‘The emphasis here is on studying a situation or a problem in order to explain the relationships between variables’

The author is going to undertake an explanatory type of case study to understand and evaluate pct’ (directly) and general practices’ (indirectly) experiences’ of both systems and link the relationships among them such as their views on information systems and if it is intended to improve services within organisation context. This is also mentioned in the objectives above.

3.5 Data Collection Methods

The case study approach allows various methods to be used such as; interviews, observation and documentary analysis. Documentary analysis can be company reports, memos, letters, reports, email messages, faxes, newspaper articles and so forth (Myers, 1997). As part of this research design semi-structured interviews will be conducted and tape recorded with the interviewee’s permission.

3.5.1 Data Sampling

For the purpose of this research project the author used a purposive sampling method. This sampling method enabled the author to use her own judgement as she was aware of whom to collect data from in order to achieve the aims and objectives of this research project (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2007). As the author is undertaking a comparative case study research in two organisations within NHS, therefore the need to interview managers and to discover their organisation’s objectives for the adoption of a particular information system and the extent to which the system seemed to be successful was required. The author decided to focus on four homogeneous samples, a more common purposive sampling technique, of managers and end users within a specific department as this enabled a more in-depth study to take place. They were;

• IM&T Manager, to establish system objectives and the extent to which they felt these had been achieved through the system

• Data Quality Manager, to establish their views and the level of IS effectiveness being achieved

• Senior Analyst, as they have worked with the systems closely therefore the extent to which objectives were being achieved are highly relevant

• Information Services Officer, similar to senior analysts but also had access and close interaction with GP Practices’ systems.

3.5.2 Interviews

As mentioned earlier, the use of semi-structured interviews is consistent with the aims and objectives of this research project as well as the research strategy adopted. It enables the author to allow flexibility and gather more reliable and valid data that supports the research within the literature review. Kvale (1983) exemplifies qualitative research interviews as;

‘An interview, whose purpose is to gather descriptions of the life-world of he interviewee with respect to interpretation of the meaning of the described phenomena’

In this case, the purpose of the interviews will help gather the perceptions and experience of those interviewees mentioned in data sampling with regards to the context of evaluating information systems referred to as the ‘described phenomena’.

The semi-structured interviews were constructed using a list of themes and questions that needed to be covered in relation to the research topic through an initial template. A pilot interview was conducted to estimate time and eliminate ambiguity as well as testing the appropriateness and order of questions (Please see Appendix). This helped to indicate if additional questions were required to probe the interviewee.

3.5.3 Participant Observation

According to Taylor and Bogdan (1984) participant observer ‘involves social interaction between the researcher and informants’ usually acquired from the work settings.

This is true in the case that the author has formed professional relationships with the informants previously through her work placement at Gateshead Primary Care Trust. The author’s role in the organisation was that of Information Services provider and junior analyst. Therefore the identity and purpose of the researcher was made clear from the start. However, the process of negotiating access within the organisation was a bit complicated due to the re-organisation of the PCT.

3.5.4 Documentary Analysis

While on work placement, the author had collected a number of documents such as newsletters that came with the payslips, IM&T strategy report 2001-2004 & 2007-8, and user-guides for conducting searches, audits and queries from emis clinical system (See Appendix).

3.7 Ethical Aspects

It is highly important to consider the ethical aspects in the research design as it reflects‘moral principles and values that govern the way an individual or group conducts its activities’ (Churchill, 1995). The ethical issues that may arise from the chosen research strategy are; denied access to organisations as they don’t have enough information about the research investigation or it could be that they feel it will harm their reputation in the process for which they will not give their consent for interviews, observation to take place (Bouma, 2000). Therefore it is necessary to consider the ethical implications in all stages of the research investigation as the consequences could lead to unfinished, biased, delayed project (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2003). As this research investigation is based on NHS it will comply with the university’s ethical procedure (see forms A, B & C in appendices). It will also negotiate access with the research governance lead within the organisation for interviews to be carried out and seek ethical clarification. Once approval has been granted, only then data collection will take place. The evidence that will be presented must reflect honesty, integrity and must never be misused. Those who have taken part in the research investigation have the right too view the results (White, 2000). Transcripts will be sent back to the interviewee for final touch ups as part of best practice. If ethical approval is not granted by NHS organisation, documentary analysis will be used for data collection.

3.8 Resources & Limitations

Patton (2002, p. 223) argues that ‘there are no perfect research designs. There are always trade-offs’ meaning all proposed research designs have limitations therefore it cannot be perfect. For example using resources such as books, journal articles, internet as secondary resources could prove time consuming as the information has to be located, collected and then analysed in order to obtain clear evidence to support the study. Journal articles could have a biased viewpoint which limits the secondary research. Obtaining access to information on the internet might require the researcher to pay certain fees or subscribe to certain engines which again imposes limitations. Also Internet articles need to be filtered to ensure reliability and validity of data. Furthermore, because of participant observation, the role of the researcher as participant observer could be conflicted with colleagues, and therefore could lead to bias viewpoints. As the author has had experience working in the IM&T department it might limit further exploration of the topic. Travelling back and forth to conduct interviews within the premises proved to be time consuming as well as colleagues having different working patterns which made it difficult to get the interviews completed within one visit.

3.9 Data Analysis

The basic objectives in data analysis are to get the feel for the data determining how well the scales have been used to code, enter the data. Second Objective is testing the accuracy of data, checking whether it is reliable and valid without it being bias (Sekaran, 2003). In order to analyse the data, first we must prepare the data in order for the analysis to be effective. This can either be done by, editing the data, coding specific answers such as using letters or numbers, categorising data using keywords, ideas and patterns (Marshall & Rossman, 2006, p160-162). Open-ended questions are usually more complex to analyse but it can be done by screening for keywords, ideas and patterns. There are many tools and techniques that can be used to analyse the data. It has been suggested by Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill (2003, p395-7) that ‘Template Analysis’ would be appropriate for this type of study ‘as it combines both deductive and inductive approach to qualitative analysis in the sense that predetermined codes are set and then amended or added to as the data is collected primarily or secondary (See example in Appendix 1 for more detail). The template approach will help select key themes and or emergent issues that were not picked up on previously (King, 1998).

3.10 Schedule of Activities

Microsoft Project Planner will be used to schedule, monitor and control the conduct of the project from this point in time. Outlook calendar will also be used in-line with project planner to reinforce this. Please refer to the Gantt chart and outlook calendar illustration in Appendix.

3.11 Chapter Summary

To summarise, the final chosen research design will be based on NHS organisation case study. Therefore it will use case study analysis as the strategy which is influenced by interpretivism philosophy to investigate the different IS evaluation frameworks and methods, as well as to achieve the main aims and objectives. A combination of inductive and deductive approach will be used to form new theory and to establish existing theory once data is collected first in order to gain a better understanding of the work settings. Data collection methods that will be used; interviews and participant observation as part of primary research and documentary analysis of company reports, journals, internet, books etc as part of secondary analysis. Template analysis will be used as the main data analysis technique in this study. Overall the chosen research design is competent.

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