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CHAPTER 2

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

This chapter discusses the method of research used for this study. The

research methodology describes the research design, population, sampling

techniques, research instruments, validity and reliability of research

instruments, data gathering procedure and the statistical treatment of data.

RESEARCH LOCALE

The study took place essentially in two different locations. One was in

Bacolod City; two, was in Municipality of Carles, Iloilo Province.

Bacolod City was the place were interviews of different groups was

taken. Aside from reasons that it was convenient for the researcher, the city

was also an essential location for the study because, the following offices in-

charge of the island was in the city. These offices held most of the documents

needed for the study. The designing firm of the neighboring island (Sicogon

Island) was also located in the same city.

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But some other government-documents was taken from the offices in-

charge in Carles. Aside from that, site visitation also took place in Tumaguin

Island itself which makes both the island and the Municipality of Carles also an

essential location for the study.

RESEARCH DESIGN

This research aims to provide an aesthetically pleasing and efficient

island beach resort facility. Hence, the descriptive research method will be

applied.

Selltiz, et. al. (1979) defines descriptive research as a study where the major

emphasis is on the discovery of ideas and insights. Qualitative methods (case

studies) and qualitative research (survey research) are used. Descriptive

research describes the populations characteristics. Thus, exploratory or

normative surveys fall under this type of research.

The researcher chose the descriptive research method in order to gather

information that will provide the appropriate design solution needed. Descriptive

research is a method used to obtain data relating to the current status of an

issue or phenomenon to describe "what exists" within the variables or

conditions of the situation. A case study and survey type of descriptive method
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will be applied. These will be used to gather information on the existing

conditions of the site, the current plans and maps, interviews,case studies and

surveys. This type of research method is the most appropriate in answering the

different areas of concern in the current study.

For the site analysis, the current status and stability of the site will be

studied through site visitation and observation. Primary sources of data will be

collected through face-to -face interviews and surveys conducted from certain

people along the area. Videos and photographs during site visitation will be

sources of information.

This method will involve interviews, observation and diary methods. This

type of research method was the most appropriate in answering the different

areas of concern in the current study.

NONPROBABILITY SAMPLING TECHNIQUE

Sampling was mainly a small representative group of people that reflects

all potential consumers. Sample selection was derived from consideration of

the relevant systematic and variable errors that might occur during the research

process. (Smith, Albaum, 2005) There are several compelling reasons for
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sampling, including: (1) lower cost, (2) greater accuracy of results, (3) greater

speed of data collection, and (4) availability of population elements.

In this research purposive sampling technique was used with an aims of

generating an indepth analysis, so issues of representativeness were less

important (Bryman 2004). Due to the nature of the research frame, it was a

nonprobability form of sampling and the researcher did not seek to sample

research participants on a random basis. It was of significance to ensure

access to as wide as possible a range of individual participants relevant to the

research question, so that many different perspectives could be captured for

attention.

SOURCES OF DATA

Primary Data

Means original data that has been collected specially for the purpose

in mind.

Moreover these data can be gathered from conversation partners

using focus group discussions, individual depth interview, observations,

and etc.
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o Conversation Partners

Conversation partners were recruited as a participants in order

to achieve more detailed insight into the research questions.

The conversation partners will be used as a primary source of

data. For the credibility and dependability of the feedbacks of these

conversation partners, criteria for inclusion will be formulated by the

researcher.

In this connection, the sample group for the main fieldwork study was

categorized into 4 where each of it has a corresponding criteria for inclusion to

determine the attributes of the subject if they are essential for the study.

PLANNING & ENGINEERING & MANAGEMENT

TOURIST
DESIGN CONSTRUCTION

FIG. 1 CONVERSATION PARTNERS

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First group are the tourists who have gone to different beach resorts

locally and internationally. This group will allow to the researcher to answer the

preferences and needs of the prospect user of the proposed project.

Second group are the planners and designer. This group may consist of

different people, namely, were the architects, interior designers, landscape

architects, and the like as long as they have played role in the design and

planning of beach resorts. Questions with regards to design and planning will

be addressed to these people to further understand the specific planning and

design principles.

Third group are the engineering and construction, comprised by

engineers or contractors who have experiences in constructing any structures

on beach resorts. By interviewing the said participants the researcher may

address to these group various construction-related questions to acquire

information base from their experiences in construction of beach resorts.

Fourth and last group are the management or the management-side.

This group was comprised by resorts owners, managers, employee, crew,

staffs, clerks and the like. By this participation the researcher would be able to

design and plan a more effective island beach resort development not just for

the guests but also for the people who gives the services.
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Secondary Data

These secondary data can be acquired from many sources, including

literature, industry, and compilations of news, published periodicals and

other external sources.

METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION AS RESEARCH INSTRUMENT

According to Denzin and Lincoln (2005) a research methodology or

strategy is determined by the nature of the research question and the subject

being investigated. As a result the research format used in an investigation

should be seen as a tool to answer the research question.

This part includes the data gathering procedure which indicates the

steps of collecting data from different reliable sources. The information may be

acquired from interviews, observations, library researches, and official records

or other related documents.

Interview

Interview provides researchers with rich and detailed qualitative

data for understanding participants experiences, how they describe

those experiences, and the meaning they make of those experiences

(Rubin and Rubin, 2012).

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A researcher wants intentional and necessary interview questions

because people have complex experiences that do not unravel neatly

before the researcher. Instead, helping participants explain their

experiences takes time, careful listening, and intentional follow up. A

researcher wants to keep in mind:

The purpose of in-depth interviewing is not to get answers to

questions At the root of in-depth interviewing is an interest in

understanding the lived experiences of other people and the meaning

they make of that experience. At the heart of interviewing research is

an interest in other individuals stories because they are of worth.

(Seidman 2013)

This was a method of person-to-person information exchange

between the interviewer and the interviewee. This method provided the

researcher a consistence and more precise information.

Observation

Instances that the researcher employed observation as a

technique of gathering data. Usually, such instances come when certain

data cannot be secured adequately or validly through the use of

questions of the interview or some other techniques except through the

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use of observation. Hence, it is important that the researcher should be

conversant and even proficient with the way observation technique

should be handled.

Observation is the active acquisition of information from a primary

source seeks to ascertain what people think and do by watching them as

they express themselves in different situations (Chua 2017).

The researcher have used this technique as site visitation in order

to acquire a comprehensive much specific data with regards to the

present condition of the site of the proposed project.

In this study the researcher will also conduct a non-participant

observation on various resorts. This technique will be used to gather

ideas and concept to further understand how beach resorts work

operationally.

Library Research

Library research is a very common and effective way to gather

information for research. The use of related studies from different thesis

books related to architecture are reliable sources of data for this study.

The researcher also used related literature which includes books,

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magazines, pamphlets, articles and other literary materials for efficient

data collection.

Computer and Internet Research

Today, technology allows us to brows websites for gathering

information that are useful in solving problems. Through the use of

advanced technology, the researcher was able to gather data through

web references.

Documentary Review

It is intended to gain information through existing related facilities

and other studies that may be used for further analysis.

Various information was gathered from the office of SIDC, thru

their Planning and Development Office; the Local Government Units of

Iloilo with regards to the site zoning map, surrounding structures, and

comprehensive development plans. The data obtained are strictly for

academic purposes only.

VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY IN QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Validity is a construct usually associated with quantitative research

methods and measures the extent to which the theories or explanations derived

from the research data are true and correctly capture the phenomenon under

investigation (Gibbs 2002; Rosenthal and Rosnow 2007). In qualitative

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research validity is determined by the extent to which the data obtained from

the participants has been consistently checked to a point where the data

analysis process becomes self-correcting (Gibbs 2002; Schurink 1998) and the

researcher is able to identify when to continue, stop or modify the research

process (Morse et al., 2002).

Validity in qualitative research can also be seen in the extent to which

the researcher provides sufficient detail to enable the reader to interpret the

meaning and context of what is presented (Popey et al. 1998). Validation was

thus dependent on the transparency with which the data collection and analysis

procedures are presented. Similarly Koch (1994) argues that the

trustworthiness of the research process can be determined by the extent to

which the research provides information and the process by which the end

product has been reached.

TRUSTWORTHINESS OF DATA AND RESULTS

In qualitative research stability was also used as an indication of validity

(Burns, 2006). Stability in qualitative research refers to the trustworthiness of

data and is concerned with whether the observations are repeatable (Gibbs

2002) during the data collection process.

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Four criteria are used to measure trustworthiness of data: credibility,

dependability, transferability and confirmability.

The researcher used Lincoln and Gubas (1985) model, which identifies

the following four criteria for establishing trustworthiness:

Truth Value Strategy: Credibility Measure

Applicability Strategy: Transferability Measure
Consistency Strategy: Dependability Measure
Neutrality Strategy: Confirmability Measure

INTERVIEW PROTOCOL REFINEMENT

Interview Protocol Refinement (IPR) was a direct attempt to obtain

reliable and valid measures in the form of verbal responses from one or more

participants. It was most suitable for refining structured interviews as a viable

approach in developing a strong initial interview protocol.

Qualitative researchers can strengthen the reliability of their interview

protocols as instruments by refining them through the IPR which consists of

four phase process. This process includes: phase (1) ensuring interview

questions align with research questions; phase (2) constructing an inquiry-

based conversation; phase (3) receiving feedback on interview protocols;

phase (4) receiving feedback on interview protocols. Each phase helped the

researcher take one step further toward developing a research instrument

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appropriate for their participants and congruent with the aims of the research

(Jones et al. 2014). This should be done to further increase the trustworthiness

of the interview protocol.

Furthermore, the IPR framework can provide qualitative researchers with

a shared language for indicating the rigorous steps taken to develop interview

protocols and ensure their congruency with the study at hand (Jones, Torres,

and Arminio, 2014).

DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUE

Technique was a specific way of doing something and focuses more on

the details. In this manner the researcher acknowledges the significance of a

systematic gathering procedure of the data and information needed for the

study. Since the identified research methods involved interview, observation,

library research and documentary review, each of these methods were used

according their nature.

The initial contact was made with the professionals and offices-in-charge

of the sites maps and documents needed for the study. Letters were sent out

explaining the research aims to them and requesting assistance with obtaining

the needed data. The offices-in-charge as well as the professionals were willing
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to assist as long as the documents will only be used by the researcher for

educational purposes only since the documents were confidential.

During the observation and site visitation, the researcher conducted an

ocular inspection to the site using private transportation of the SIDC Company.

Being used for the construction management in Sicogon Island.

For the time of identifying the essential conversation partners for the

study. The researcher later then categorized the participants into four groups

and created an inclusion criteria at the same time.

In the course of constructing the interview questions, the researcher

used the IPR framework as a guideline having four phases to help the

researcher obtain robust and detailed interview data necessary to address

research questions. Furthermore, the researcher made four sets of questions

addressed to the four groups of conversation partners or the participants of the

study.

During the research process and especially during the data collection

phase the researcher constructed a research material in a brochure form

containing the following: (1) purpose and benefit of the study; (2) informed

consent; (3) sites features and local community (presented by photos taken

from various sources mainly in the internet); and (4) the proposed project
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features. This brochures were given to the participants of the study before the

interview started.

Throughout the interview the researcher treated all participants with

respect (Mouton and Marais 1991). It was easy for the researcher to establish

rapport with the participants and create a safe environment where the

participants could construct the meaning of their experiences without feeling

that they were being judged. Once the participants agreed to be interviewed, an

appointment was made with each participant at the time convenient to both

themselves and the interviewer.

The interviews were conducted by the researcher and were all

conducted in English, although there were times when participants would use

their home language, either in Hiligaynon or in Tagalog.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Several ethical considerations were taken into account to ensure that the

study was conducted in an appropriate manner (Babbie and Mouton 2001). To

comply with ethical considerations in conducting research all participants

provided verbal consent to be interviewed and to participate in the research.

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The participants therefore willingly participated in the study after they were

approached by the researcher (Leedy 2000; Neuman2000).

It was further explained to the participants that their information would

remain confidential and that the specific content of individual interviews would

only be discussed with the subject adviser. Although most of the participant

allowed the researcher to quote their statements with their names.

DATA ANALYSIS

The researcher transcribed the interviews from the tapes in the language

that was used. The transcripts were then read several times and in the process

the list of various themes or topics that emerged was made. On several

occasions the researcher had to re-listen to the tapes whilst reading the

transcript so as to further identify the participants responses. The themes were

then grouped according to their similarities, and common or recurring themes

were identified for the purpose of making sense of them in relation to the

theoretical framework created in the literature review.