Buildings Collapse in Fire Situations in the United Arab Emirates - Research Proposal Example

Title of the topic area This research concerns the circumstances that buildings collapse in fire situations in United Arab Emirates. Abstract United Arab Emirates is one of the nations where buildings do collapse in fire situations. It is very important to note that the circumstances are not normally the same. Various methodologies will be used in carrying out this research concerning collapse of buildings in fire situations in UAE. These methodologies include both the qualitative and the quantitative methods. After data collection the information will be analysed using different data analysis methods. (Daisy, 2000) Introduction Fires are common occurrence and they sometimes result in collapse of buildings. The causes of the fires are diverse. They range from electrical power failures and gas explosions among other factors. This research aims at ascertaining the circumstances under which buildings are likely to collapse in fire situations in United Arab Emirates. This paper is generally a research proposal on the circumstances that result in collapse of buildings in fire situations that occur in United Arab Emirates. In this paper the various methodologies that will be used in the collection of data are well elaborated. There is also data analysis method included. Hypotheses There are various hypotheses that will be used as guidelines in this research. They include the following; a) Fires do occur in United Arab Emirates b) The fires sometimes result in the collapse of buildings c) The circumstances under which buildings collapse in fire situations are normally diverse d) There are situations where fires do occur in UAE but they don’t result in collapse of buildings e) Fires that start from the basement of building mostly cause the collapse of the building Methodology Data collection methodologies are very essential as they enable the researcher to get important information. In this research, various methodologies will be used. They include both the qualitative and the quantitative methodologies. In this research, interviews, questionnaires and also other relevant documents will be used to collect essential information. Through the incorporation of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, the correct information will definitely be accrued. (Feinstein, 2004) Methods to be used In the overall collection of data different methods will be used. They include questionnaires, interviews and documents that contain information on building collapse in fire situations in United Arab Emirates. Interviews Interviews are normally a question answer interaction session between the respondents and the researcher. They can be carried out on a one on one basis or between the researcher and the focus group. In this research, focus groups will be utilised. The focus groups will consist of five to eight people. These will mostly be personnel who work in the fire fighting department in United Arab Emirates. (Mac, 2006) These will mostly consist of people who have worked in this department for a long time. This is approximately five to ten years. There will be four focus groups in total. The researcher in this case normally has questions previously prepared which the respondents are asked. Concerning this research; assistants will be needed in order to allow easy facilitation of the interviews. The focus groups will be informed before hand on the appropriate time for the interviews. The research assistants will note down the answers from the respondents. Questionnaire Questionnaires will also be used in collection of data concerning collapsing of buildings in fire situations in United Arab Emirates. Questionnaires can be described as research instruments that include questions related to the research topic. Normally all these are aimed at gathering information that is relevant to the research. The research questions will be clearly written down and administered to personnel in charge of fire fighting in United Arab Emirates. The questions in the questionnaires will include the following; 1) What was the cause of the fires that resulted in collapse of buildings? 2) Where did the fires start? 3) What was the degree of damage in the collapsed buildings 4) What types of buildings had most occurrences of collapsing during fires? Through these questions, the researcher will be in a position of ascertaining the circumstances under which buildings collapse in fire situations in United Arab Emirates. Records in fire fighting department In collecting data related to collapse of buildings in fire situations in United Arab Emirates, records in the fire department will be used. This means that the relevant authorities in this department have to be informed before hand on the need of these documents. (McGill, 2006) This would be a good source of information because the fire fighting department normally records any fire occurrences and the effects that the fire had on the building. Through overall analysis of these documents it would be easy to come to a conclusion on the possible circumstances under which buildings collapse in fire situations in United Arab Emirates. Data analytical methods After collection of data through interviews, questionnaires and relevant records, the data will be analysed. The collative method will be used in analysis of this data. In this method, the collected data will be compared and contrasted. This is because the respondent groups will have consisted of different people. The information that will be collected from interviews, questionnaires and other relevant records will also be compared and contrasted. After this conclusions will be drawn in relation to the highly repeated circumstances where buildings collapse in fire situations in United Arab Emirates. (Ryan, 1999) Research population The research population in this case refers to the group of people that have the relevant information concerning the research topic. In this research, the research population will be the personnel that work in the fire fighting department. This does not just include any person that works in this department but those that help in quenching the fires. They will be people who have done the work in United Arab Emirates for a period of approximately five to ten years. Ethical considerations In this research, various ethical considerations will be put in mind. This is especially during the interviews and writing of questionnaires. It is very essential to avoid questions that are directly related to the degree of damage and any possible loss of life that may have occurred. This is considering the fact that the respondents could have had close friends or relatives affected. In this case, such questions would spur emotions that may make respondents unable to answer all the questions effectively. Timescale/ research planning In this research, planning will be carried out before hand. This is in terms of activities and the time to be taken in accomplishing. The entire research is scheduled to take a period of four months. During the first week, all the stakeholders to be involved in the research will be informed duly. In the second week, all the stakeholders will be made to understand the aims of carrying out the research. In the second month, data collection tools like questionnaires will be prepared. In the third month there will be actual collection of data and in the fourth, the data collected will be analysed and conclusions drawn. (Daisy, 2000) Dissemination and outcome The outcome will be disseminated through soft and hard copies to the personnel working in the fire fighting department. This will be inclusive of recommendations on ways through which collapse of buildings can be avoided in case of fire situations in UAE. Conclusion This research concerns situations where buildings collapse in fire situations in UAE. Different methodologies will be incorporated in the research. They include both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. After data is collected the information will be analysed using collative method. Conclusions on the subject will then be drawn accordingly. Read More