Constant Comparative method for Data Analysis

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Introduction

All research is based on underlying assumptions about what constitutes “valid” research and which research methods are appropriate for the particular study (Myers, 1997). This chapter will provide justification for the philosophical paradigm that was selected, the research approach and the research methodology that underpins this study. The researcher first motivates interpretivism as the philosophical underpinning of this study, which was chosen after a review of common philosophical assumptions. This will be discussed and presented in section 2.2. The researcher further employed a qualitative approach to the research. Justification for following the qualitative approach is given in section 2.3. Finally, section 2.4 will detail the rationale behind the chosen research methodology Grounded Theory.

Philosophical Underpinning of the research

Researchers make claims about the nature of knowledge – the ontology, and how we have access to it – the epistemology (Creswell, 2003). These claims are called paradigms (Burrell & Morgan, 1979, p. iii) or philosophical assumptions (Terreblanche & Durrheim, 1999). Terreblanche & Durrheim (1999) describe a research paradigm as an all-encompassing system of interrelated practice and thinking that defines the nature of enquiry along the following dimensions: ontology, epistemology and methodology (the research methodology will be discussed in section 2.4). The ontological and epistemological aspects of a study are concerned with what is generally referred to as the researcher’s view of the world, which has a significant influence on the perceived importance of the aspects of reality: the philosophical assumption. Although philosophical ideas remain largely « hidden » in research they influence the practice of research and so need to be identified (Creswell, 2003).

Justification for a Qualitative Study

The research method is a strategy of enquiry, which moves from the underlying assumptions to research design and data collection (Myers, 1997). Myers (1997) explains that although there are other distinctions in the research modes, the most common classifications of research methods are qualitative or quantitative.

Justification of research method: Classic Grounded Theory

The researcher acknowledges that the choice of following a GTM as a research method was not predetermined or instinctive. The researcher made her choice after failing to identify an appropriate theory to use as a lens for her study. During the researcher’s review of expatriate literature, a number of expatriate adjustment theories were discovered.

ABSTRACT
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1. Research origin, purpose and objective
1.2 Methodology and data
1.3 Delimitations of scope
1.4 Emerging Theory
1.5 Thesis Outline
1.6 Summary
CHAPTER 2: PHILOSOPHICAL UNDERPINNING, RESEARCH APPROACH AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Approach to Research
2.2.1 Philosophical Underpinning of the research
2.3 Justification for a Qualitative Study
2.4 Justification of research method: Classic Grounded Theory
2.5 Summary
CHAPTER 3: EXISTING THEORIES ON EXPATRIATE ADJUSTMENT
3.1 Introduction
3.2 U-curve of adjustment – Adjustment as a process
3.2.1 Implications for this research
3.3 Black et al.’s (1991) model of cross-cultural adjustment – Adjustment as a state
3.3.1 Implications for this research
3.4 Other theories associated with expatriate adjustment
3.4.1 Social network theory
3.4.2 Social Capital Theory
3.4.3 Theory of Sense of Community
3.4.4 Implications for this study
3.5 Summary
CHAPTER 4: GROUNDED THEORY METHODOLOGY
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Background to Grounded Theory
4.3 Grounded Theory within IS and Expatriate Research
4.4 Challenges associated with the Grounded Theory Method
4.5 Grounded Theory Terminology defined and explained
4.5.1 Extant Literature
4.5.2 Theoretical sensitivity
4.5.3 Conceptualisation
4.5.4 Theoretical Sampling
4.5.5 Constant Comparative method for Data Analysis
4.6 Research Design of the Study
4.6.1 Research Situation
4.6.2 Data Collection, Coding and Analysis
4.6.3 Substantive Coding and Theoretical Coding
4.7 Summary
CHAPTER 5: CONTEXT OF EXPATRIATES IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
5.1 Introduction
5.2 The Country and its Expatriate Workforce
5.3 The Saudi culture and Expatriates
5.4 Religion and Expatriates
5.5 Expatriates and the Law
5.6 Travel to Saudi Arabia and Working Conditions for Expatriates
5.7 Living Conditions for Expatriates
5.7.1 Accommodation
5.7.2 Recreation
5.7.3 Local Transport
5.7.4 The Internet
5.7.4.1 Internet Content Filtering
5.7.5 Education
5.7.6 Language
5.8 Implications for the research project
5.9 Summary
CHAPTER 6: DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Participant profiles
6.3 Data Collection and Management
6.4 Building the Theory
6.4.1 The Emerging Pattern
6.4.2 The emerging categories
6.4.3 Extant literature
6.5 Summary
CHAPTER 7 THE INTERNET AS A “LIFELINE TO THE REAL WORLD
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Culture within this study
7.3 Real world vs. Everyday life: A definition
7.4 Internet as a lifeline to the real world
7.4.1 Internet as a Tool
7.4.2 Internet as a Place
7.4.3 Internet as a way of being
7.4.4 The Internet as a means of Salvation
7.5 Summary
CHAPTER 8: DEGREE OF ISOLATION
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Degree of Isolation as defined in this study
8.2.1 Living Space
8.2.1.1 Compound Life: Safe Haven or Jail?
8.2.1.2 Cultural Distance State: Oppressive or Alien
8.2.2 Expatriate Status
8.2.2.1 Unaccompanied or Single Expatriates
8.2.2.2 Accompanied Expatriates
8.2.3 Social Support
8.2.3.1 Integration with Local Community
8.2.3.2 Integration with Expatriate Community
8.2.3.3 Benevolent community
8.2.4 Freedom of Movement
8.2.4.1 Accessibility of the KSA
8.2.4.2 Mobility in the KSA
8.2.5 Expatriate state of mind
8.3 Summary
CHAPTER 9: DEGREE OF INFORMATION FLOW
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Information flow as understood in this study
9.2.1 Preconditions of Information Flow
9.2.1.1 Challenges with Internet Use
9.2.1.1.1 Quality and Cost of Internet Connection
9.2.1.1.2 Internet content filtering
9.2.1.2 Intention to use
9.2.2 Consequences of Information Flow
9.2.2.1 Extended Control over environment
9.2.2.2 Increased Time distortion and Social Presence
9.2.2.3 Increased Exchange of Information
9.3 Summary
CHAPTER 10: EXPATRIATE ADJUSTMENT MEDIATED BY THE INTERNET
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Adjustment as a state
10.3 Adjustment as a process
10.4 Expatriate adjustment and well-being
10.4.1 Subjective well-being
10.4.2 Psychological Well-being
10.4.3 Social Well-being
10.5 Summary
CHAPTER 11: THE THEORETICAL MODEL AND CONCLUSIONS
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Interrelation of Concepts
11.2.1 Propositions related to the effect of the degree of information flow, mediated by the Internet, on expatriate adjustment
11.2.2 Propositions related to the effect of the degree of isolation, mediated by the Internet, on expatriate adjustment
11.2.3 The effect of the Internet as a lifeline to the « real » world on adjustment
11.3 Contribution of Research
11.4 Conclusion about research approach
11.5 Recommended Future Research
11.5.1 The role of the Internet in the education of expatriate children
11.5.2 The role of the Internet in the lives of expatriate’s families at home
11.5.3 The role of the Internet in the lives of unaccompanied/ single expatriates
11.5.4 Applying the theory in other expatriate contexts
11.5.5 The role of the Internet in the U-curve Theory of adjustment
11.5.6 Applying the theory to domestic adjustment in a social context
11.6 Self-Evaluation of the proposed theory
11.7 The Researcher’s situation
11.8 Research Conclusion
References

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