E-Government and E-Democracy Systems - Research Paper Example

CHAPTER 3: Methodology ______________________________________ This chapter examines and documents about research methods and research methodology applied in this research. Developing an astute methodology ensures research findings’ accuracy and reliability. Chapter two of this research covered the essential concepts in e-government systems and played a large part in formulation of research methods for this dissertation, which is about exploring deployment of effective e-government systems in Oman and e-democracy systems for the parliament of Oman. Consequently, research methods must be carefully selected as failure to which leads to misleading results. 3.1 Introduction For this investigation, it is imperative to decide about the aspirations of the people of Oman and the needs of the elected representatives of Oman in relation to what they need for the web interface of the parliament of Oman, the MajlisA’Shura. Although it is possible to learn from what the parliaments of other countries have presented, it is also important to examine the specific needs and aspirations of Omanis to decide about what is best for the e-democracy system for the parliament of Oman. A research methodology defines the tenet that offers guidance to scientific research n order to achieve optimal results. Therefore, the methodology must be free of errors, precise and clear to avoid misinterpretations. Vanderstoep (2009) elucidates on the various types of research methodology. He explains that research methodology may take two perspectives; qualitative or quantitative and inductive or deductive. He begins by defining qualitative research as research whose focal point is interpretation, without necessarily relying on numerical validation into the concept or research topic. Zikmund (2009, Chapter 7) delves further into the subject and states that qualitative research strives to explore into a topic’s inner sense in terms of new insight without the use of qualitative dimensions, mathematical modelling or statistical scrutiny. Qualitative research is ideal for less explicit research or as an opener to a topic, after which the researcher can make a decision on the best quantitative tools for generating hypothesis and testing of theories and hypotheses to guarantee accurate and reasonable conclusions. Moreover, qualitative research seeks answers to enquiries pertaining subjective meaning and information judgement whereas qualitative research attempts to improve conclusions arrived at using qualitative research by employing statistical methods. Accordingly, qualitative research can be viewed as a systematic empirical inquisition into real world complexities in the endeavour of coming up with superior insight into a subject matter and general refinement. Lancaster (2005, Pp. 22-28) takes an in-depth study into the other perspective of research methodology. He notes the striking differences between deductive and inductive research. Inductive research tends to lay weight on hypothesis development and theories in its quest to explain experimental observations relative to the real world in a pragmatic manner. Conversely, deductive research centre on pulling together measurements from the real world, which it uses to make a decision on the validity of a hypothesis or theory. It uses the same measures adjudge on the authenticity of a theory, and also to create new theories that improve the real world experience on the phenomenon under investigation. Therefore, it is critical for researchers to decide on the course they want to take on their research; whether it is deductive or inductive or qualitative or quantitative from a point of knowledge as the success of the research hinges on this exact decision. This chapter takes a pick on the research method best suited for this research, and attempts to develop procedures that generate valid and consistent knowledge on the subject. It borrows research methods concepts from previously done research on the topic as well as developing new concepts that are unique to the research area. 3.2 Research Philosophy Research is not as complex as it appears. Lancaster (2005) explains that although one may perceive research as abstract and intricate at first glance, studying into the facets and parts that make up a research project and trying to see how the jig-saw fits together reveals the rationale behind the research. A philosophy comes about when researchers consider the essentials that make up a research: research topic, objectives, research paradigms and issues relating to ontology and epistemology. When a researcher pauses to think about these matters, he comes up with his research ideology, which defines how he plans to attack his research. The ideology developed covers aspects of beliefs, assumptions, perceptions and reality. The ideology must then adhere to the standard format for a research paper; from problem definition all the way to conclusion. Lancaster (2005) continues to explain on what makes up each aspect of the ideology. He starts by explaining ontology. Ontology must cover what exists, its composition elements, its appearance and also explain how the various elements of what exists interact with each other. Ontology underscores the opinion of the researcher on nature of reality together with the objective reality in connection with the research topic. For example, the premise that ultra-deep water oil exploration will pose fascinating challenges worth investigating is an exemplar of an ontological perspective. However, it is not complete as one requires one to mull over the technicalities and intricacies involved in exploration and production of oil as well as gas in ultra-deep water. Epistemology is also another research ideology. Epistemology explains the views on how best to enquire into knowledge sources and world’s nature. It also expresses the limitations of knowledge and utilises epistemological issues to determine on how and what is the probable way to know. The other aspect of research ideology relates to paradigms. Research paradigms determine on ways used for investigating real world phenomenon and translating them into knowledge on the research topic. Consequently, the ideology used hinges on how the various aspects interact and impose themselves on research topic and research design founded on research paradigm selection. This paper covers the topic imprecisely as it gives information on e-government systems without necessarily quantifying variables for obvious reasons. nevertheless, its ontological viewpoint coupled with the prerequisites for effective e-democracy system for Oman emphasise that it makes sense to scrutinize the issues; which postulates epistemological view consideration without necessarily overlooking research paradigms. From the aforementioned example on oil and gas exploration, it would show prudence to research on previous works on the issue from people who have expertise on the subject from study or practice, in order for one to develop an effective ideology. Therefore, reviewing relevant works on the subject together with scientific investigation methods like analysis of texts, ground theory, case studies or ethnography would benefit this research on the Oman e-democracy systems in philosophy formulation. Denzin (2005, Pp. 301-317) explains on the use of in-depth and semi-structured interviews. He explains that these interviews give phenomenological, interpretative and constructivist tools the competence to have multiple perspectives on the focus of any piece of research. This paper concludes that it is probable for the interviews to yield transformative results with a sample of the electorate of Oman and its elected representatives, the subject of this research. Semi-structured interviews are preferred to unstructured or Delphi methods as they offer flexibility on the topic being investigated as opposed to unstructured or Delphi that only centre on the particular issues under investigation. This allows the researcher to collect additional information that gives depth to his current research. The semi-structured questionnaires drafted from literature review are more precise and exact as the issues pertinent to the research are identified by comparison with relevant literature, with tweaks made to customize the questionnaires to the Oman e-democracy system in order to obtain the desired insights. A look at case studies that pore over parliamentary websites and e-democracy systems for national parliaments in other countries act as additional guidelines for refinement on the questionnaires and interviews (Denzin, 2005, Pp. 301-317). It is indispensable to note the importance of literature review in this quest. This research takes an in-depth analysis into more novel aspects of websites from around the world. Thus, the case studies for specific parliamentary websites for various countries were not included in this study because the literature review has considered these as a strong correlation between the interviews and reviewed research on the topic. The semi-structured interviews questionnaire for the sample electorate of Oman and its elected representatives in the parliament of Oman is a typical representation of questionnaire formats used in previous works on the subject. 3.3 Research Approach Qualitative research finds out the meaning of real life phenomenon through experimental enquiry by building hypothesis and metal models. It makes logic to incline to inductive and qualitative research as the principal approaches to e-democracy in Oman. Thereafter, quantitative research can be employed to provide additional evidence on the subject. In brief, this paper uses a mix of inductive and qualitative research to ascertain the effectiveness of effective e-government and e-democracy systems for the MajlisA’Shura of Oman. Two semi-structured interview questionnaires were prepared for this research to help decide better about the needs for the e-democracy system for the parliament of Oman, and these are in Appendix A. The semi-structured interview questionnaire for a sample of the electorate of Oman elicits needs and requirements of the citizens, while the questionnaire for the elected representatives of Oman examines perspectives for those that must respond to, educate and serve the electorate that has voted them into power. To ensure that the data collection process runs smoothly, a consent form and recommendation latter from the university need to be send alongside the interview questionnaires. The consent letter in particular seeks to offer reassurance to the participants on ethical matters and confidentiality. A sample consent form is provided in Appendix B. Qualitative research software may be used, which may include NVIVO on the basis of Ground theory. All analysis of texts, including tape recordings and written responses will be discussed in “analysis” chapter (Cybernos, 2011; Daymon& Holloway, 2011, Pp. 130 - 145). 3.4 Limitations of this Research It is important to understand that every country in the world presents unique cultural influences, power distance, modes of interpersonal interaction, expectations related to what a government should do for citizens, etc. Thus, expectations from e-government and e-democracy systems vary from country to country and between cultures. Although Oman is an Arab and Islamic country, and this means that it is likely that expectations about e-government and e-democracy systems will present certain regional similarities, Oman is still a unique country that does not lend itself to generalisations about e-government and e-democracy. Thus, what is available from the surveys presented in this dissertation is applicable most to Oman. 3.5 Chapter Overview This chapter demonstrated the different dimension of research methodology, where it triangulated on different approaches to research. In its discussions, it highlighted the theories used in contextual as current research and climaxes by detailing the grounded approach to be used in the Oman study. It gives semi structured interview approach as the ideal method for collecting responses from the selected sample of the electorate of Oman, and its elected representatives. References Vanderstoep, Scott W. & Johnston, Deirdre D. (2009).Research Methods for Everyday Life: Blending Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Jossey-Bass. Zikmund, William G. Babin, Barry J. Carr, Jon C. & Griffin, Mitch.(2009). Business Research Methods, Eighth Edition.Cengage Learning Lancaster, Geoff. (2005). Research Methods in Management: A concise introduction to research in management and business consultancy, Elsevier. Denzin, Norman K and Lincoln, Yvonna. (2005). The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research, Sage Publications, Inc. Cybernos.Com. (2011).Qualitative Research Analysis: Grounded Theory & NVIVO 7, Cybernos. Com. Retrieved from: http://www.cybernos.com/UOP/Qual.htm Daymon, C. & Holloway, I. (2011).Qualitative Research Methods in Public Relations and Marketing Communications, Second Edition, London: Routledge. Read More