Evacuation Procedures in High-Rise Buildings - Term Paper Example

CHAPTER THREE 3.0 METHODOLOGY 3.1 Introduction This section provides a description of the methods and the steps that the researcher followed in order to achieve the goal and objective of the study as highlighted in the introductory part of this dissertation. The section provides details about the location of the research, the type of study, the procedures used in research and the plan for data analysis that the researcher used to analyze the findings. The research began with a very clear comprehension of the research hypothesis and the objectives (Thomas 2011, pp. 103). The success of this project was achieved through the gathering of information about evacuation procedures in high-rise buildings. The information collected was in line with the study hypothesis and objectives. The methodology was designed to allow the researcher to collect useful information about high-rise buildings given that evacuation is normally a difficult exercise especially when a building is very tall. It is critical to note that this study was done purely using the case study as the methodology. 3.1.1 Designing the case study protocol, development and review The initial step in the case study as a methodology is to develop the case study protocol. The researcher took time to develop a protocol for the study. In the process of developing the protocol the researcher had to determine the required skills and to develop and do the review of the protocol (Gerring, 2007, pp. 19). 3.1.2 Determination of the required skills According to………..a researcher should either be having or acquire certain skills to be used during research. These skills include the ability to put questions to the respondents and to make correct interpretations of the responses, listening well, flexibility and adaptability needed for reacting to different situations, knowledge of the issues under study, and the ability of not being biased by preconceived ideas (Gillham 2000, pp. 78). The researcher had to work as a senior investigator. In this study, the researcher had experience because he has worked on other studies before and what was lacking in his experience was supplemented through study about the methodology. The researcher also made in-depth studies about evacuation procedures in high-rise buildings. This gave him a lot of ideas about what to ask and what to expect in the field. The researcher also developed a draft of the protocol. He did this after reading extensively about the study topic and the knowledge was to help him develop all the draft research questions. The researcher did a protocol review in order to try and identify possible problems in planning and in other phases of the study design (Gagnon 2010, pp. 45). The procedures and rules developed in the protocol make the study more reliable. The discipline that the researcher received through the protocol was very much important to the general research reliability and progress. It helped the researcher to remain focused on the main goals and tasks. Development of the protocol made the investigator aware of the problems that would have been met only in the actual research itself. The researcher included the plans of the case study report in the initial plans. This step is also supported by Blaxter, Hughes and Tight (2006, pp. 12). Although case studies do not have a specific format for the report, the researcher settled on a format suitable for his work early enough in this process. 3.2.0 Conducting the case study After finishing with the protocol stage, the researcher embarked on the preparation of the real case study. For the study to be successful, the researcher carried three major activities. They included the preparation for collection of data, distributing questionnaires and carrying out the interviews. The stages accounted for the real case study. After the researcher had developed and tested the protocol, he totally embarked on the next stage. This is the real plan execution. This phase has data collection as the most important activity (Thomas 2011, pp. 23). 3.2.1 Data collection The protocol shows the evidence provided in a case study. In a case study such as this one, data collection was treated as an issue of design which will improve the internal validity and construct of the study and also the external validity and reliability of the study. The researcher made use of six basic sources of evidence for the study. Each of the sources of evidence required that the researcher displays a different set of skills. The researcher understood that not all these sources are important but he also recognized that multiple sources of data play a big role in making the study more reliable (Swanborn, 2010, pp. 67). The sources included in the study to obtain information were documentation, archival records, participant observation and direct observation. None of these sources has any advantage over the others but the researcher had to identify those that are most appropriate for his needs. In this case he utilized interviews, observation, and documentation more than the other. Nevertheless they all complemented each other (Gerring 2007, pp. 43). 3.2.2 Participant and Direct Observation The researcher also employed participant observation in data collection. Through this method the researcher could take part in the events under study if he wanted. The danger here is that the researcher can be biased if he does take part (Gagnon 2010, pp. 33). However, for this particular study there were no evacuation exercises taking place and so the researcher did not have that opportunity. The researcher also employed the direct observation method because he went to the sites to collect data. He only observed the high rise buildings and the ways of exit incase of an emergency as well as the equipment available for the exercise. However, the researcher also got an opportunity to observe a simulated evacuation exercise in one of the high-rise buildings. Even though it could not meet the information requirements of the study, the simulation provided an idea of the evacuation procedures and methods applied in a real evacuation exercise. The researcher also took photographs at the site for purposes of record keeping. 3.2.3 Documents, Archival Records and Physical Artifacts A study based on documents can use memoranda, letters, study reports, agendas and other items. In this particular study, the investigator made use of study reports. He checked the validity of the reports to avoid picking the wrong data. This data was used to corroborate the information obtained from other sources. The researcher was careful not to over-rely on documents because they may not be absolutely true. Archival records were also useful because they provide the maps and charts. However, the researcher was careful to determine the accuracy and origin of these documents. Physical artifacts are any type of physical evidence the investigator collects at the sight. This evidence could be notebooks and computer output (George & Bennet 2005, pp. 44). In data collection the researcher made use of multiple data sources, created a case study database and maintained a chain of evidence. Multiple data sources helped in evidence triangulation so as to make the data and the data collecting process more reliable. Triangulation also corroborated the data obtained from other places. However, before choosing the technique, the researcher had to consider the cost of utilizing multiple sources and his ability to do the work. The researcher also organized the data collected in this phase and documented it. The important databases needed are the investigator’s report and the data. The researcher then added every other relevant document including notes, tabula materials and narratives to the database. Maintaining a chain of evidence helped the researcher to make his study more reliable (Gillham 2000, pp. 21). To achieve this he had an external observer who followed the evidence as it was derived from the original research questions up to the conclusions of the case study. 3.2.3 Analysis of Data Thomas (2011, pp. 43) says that the analysis of data is a process that includes examination of the data, categorization, tabulation, and recompiling the evidence collected to tackle the study propositions. The researcher for this study used his experience and the literature to put the evidence in different ways through different interpretations. This was important because statistical analysis did not apply in this case study. 3.2.5 Analytic strategy The researcher used the technique of explanation building. Explanation building is basically a way of pattern matching where the case study analysis is done through the process of building an explanation for the case. This means that it is more important in explanatory studies but it can be used in exploratory studies and in the process of generating hypotheses. Explanation building is iterative process (Gagnon, 2010, pp. 87). The researcher started with a theoretical statement before refining it. He then revised it before repeating the process again from the start. The researcher understood the problems that might occur and took guard against them. Some of the problems include the loss of focus on the side of the investigator. 3.2.6 Developing recommendations, conclusions and implications based on the evidence Considering the needs of the user, the reporting part is the most important. This is what connects the researcher to the user. A research report that is well designed but not explained to the user can make the report to become useless (Gerring, 2007, pp. 76). To maintain the clarity of the report, the researcher refrained from technical jargon and provided clear explanations. These explanations will help the user to understand what the findings in the report imply. In the presentation of the results, the researcher included a very detailed description of procedures and the results obtained from the analysis. He sought to meet all the informational needs and technical requirements for the study. Meeting these needs is a major requirement for the case study. It helps the user to have an easy time in trying to understand what the study found out and the meaning of all the findings compiled in the report. As Swanborn (2010, pp. 16) rightfully shows, this is very important to the user. It also shows that the researcher was up to the task and that the study is reliable and true. 3.2.7 Advantages and disadvantages The case study approach has various advantages and disadvantages. 3.2.7.1 Advantages In a case study, a lot of information is collected that researchers would not get easily through other research designs. The data obtained in a case study is rich and has greater depth compared to that of other designs. Case studies are rarely done and they apply where huge samples of similar participants cannot be found. In a case study it is possible to do scientific experiments. Experimenters use case studies to adapt ideas and make novel hypotheses to be used in other tests (Blaxter, Hughes &Tight 2006, pp. 43). 3.2.7.2 Disadvantages Data gathered through case studies cannot be generalized to a wider population. This means data can be collected through longitudinal case studies and it becomes irrelevant and not useful. Some case studies are not scientific. Generally, case studies are on a single person and the investigator who gathers the data also tends to be one (Blaxter, Hughes &Tight 2006, pp. 46). This may result in bias in collection of data. This may then influence the outcome, something that does not happen in other designs. One finds it hard to use case studies to draw a clear cause and effect relationship. Bibliography Blaxter, L., Hughes, C., Tight, M. 2006.How to Research. Open University Press. Gagnon, Y. 2010. The Case Study as a Research Method: A practical Handbook. Quebec University Press. George, A.L. & Bennet, A.A. 2005. Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences. The MIT Press. Gerring, J. 2007. Case Study Research: Principles and Practices. Cambridge University Press. Gillham, B. 2000. Case Study Research Methods. Continuum International Publishing Group. Swanborn, P. 2010. Case Study Research: What, Why and How? SAGE. Thomas, G. 2011. How to do your Case Study: A guide for Students and Researchers. 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3.2.0 Conducting the case study After finishing with the protocol stage, the researcher embarked on the preparation of the real case study. For the study to be successful, the researcher carried three major activities. They included the preparation for collection of data, distributing questionnaires and carrying out the interviews. The stages accounted for the real case study. After the researcher had developed and tested the protocol, he totally embarked on the next stage. This is the real plan execution.

This phase has data collection as the most important activity (Thomas 2011, pp. 23). 3.2.1 Data collection The protocol shows the evidence provided in a case study. In a case study such as this one, data collection was treated as an issue of design which will improve the internal validity and construct of the study and also the external validity and reliability of the study. The researcher made use of six basic sources of evidence for the study. Each of the sources of evidence required that the researcher displays a different set of skills.

The researcher understood that not all these sources are important but he also recognized that multiple sources of data play a big role in making the study more reliable (Swanborn, 2010, pp. 67). The sources included in the study to obtain information were documentation, archival records, participant observation and direct observation. None of these sources has any advantage over the others but the researcher had to identify those that are most appropriate for his needs. In this case he utilized interviews, observation, and documentation more than the other.

Nevertheless they all complemented each other (Gerring 2007, pp. 43). 3.2.2 Participant and Direct Observation The researcher also employed participant observation in data collection. Through this method the researcher could take part in the events under study if he wanted. The danger here is that the researcher can be biased if he does take part (Gagnon 2010, pp. 33). However, for this particular study there were no evacuation exercises taking place and so the researcher did not have that opportunity.

The researcher also employed the direct observation method because he went to the sites to collect data. He only observed the high rise buildings and the ways of exit incase of an emergency as well as the equipment available for the exercise. However, the researcher also got an opportunity to observe a simulated evacuation exercise in one of the high-rise buildings. Even though it could not meet the information requirements of the study, the simulation provided an idea of the evacuation procedures and methods applied in a real evacuation exercise.

The researcher also took photographs at the site for purposes of record keeping. 3.2.3 Documents, Archival Records and Physical Artifacts A study based on documents can use memoranda, letters, study reports, agendas and other items. In this particular study, the investigator made use of study reports. He checked the validity of the reports to avoid picking the wrong data. This data was used to corroborate the information obtained from other sources. The researcher was careful not to over-rely on documents because they may not be absolutely true.

Archival records were also useful because they provide the maps and charts. However, the researcher was careful to determine the accuracy and origin of these documents. Physical artifacts are any type of physical evidence the investigator collects at the sight. This evidence could be notebooks and computer output (George & Bennet 2005, pp. 44). In data collection the researcher made use of multiple data sources, created a case study database and maintained a chain of evidence. Multiple data sources helped in evidence triangulation so as to make the data and the data collecting process more reliable.

Triangulation also corroborated the data obtained from other places. However, before choosing the technique, the researcher had to consider the cost of utilizing multiple sources and his ability to do the work.

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