Application of Offsite/Modern Methods of Construction in UAE

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

METHODOLOGY1

Introduction and Research Strategy1

Approaches to data collection1

Consideration for Research Design4

Qualitative Research Justification4

Quantitative Research Justification6

Research Process7

Researcher's Philosophy8

Data Analysis Procedures9

Internal Validity12

External Validity13

Ethical Considerations13

Summary14

DATA ANALYSIS15

Qualitative Findings15

Quantitative Findings24

ANOVA Test34

Summary36

METHODOLOGY

Introduction and Research Strategy

Research involves analysing historical data from preceding researches, articles, books and other sources as well as carrying on a personal research in order to provide views that can increase human knowledge regarding a specific topic. The methodology in a research describes the methods through which data is collected, composed, interpreted and analysed to form a conclusion in a particular area of study (Barlow, 2002)

The Research until now focused on developing an understanding of offsite construction and identifying challenges to its application by studying its state in countries like UK and Japan. These two countries were selected because the status of OSC methods in both countries is varied. In the UK the industry wide use of OSC methods is at ancient stage while Japan on the contrary has a very mature and well established OSC industry (Creswell, 1994). All this was done by conducting an in depth literature review of data available from journals, books and other sources. Situation of the UAE construction industry has also been studied by reviewing and analysing available literature and conducting a market study to test the hypothesis mentioned in the first chapter.

Approaches to data collection

Primary Methods

Experimental research (such methods cannot be used for construction related research as data required has to reflect the actual practices of the industry)

Action Research (difficult to participate in any actual research, due to time and resource constraints)

Case study (this method was avoided as it would not provide an industry wide perception)

Survey (This method allows the researcher to target a larger sample. As I want to understand the perception industry players have about offsite methods of construction it allows me to target various industry stakeholders and get an overall understanding of the scenario)

Interview (a structured interview method was used to add to the data generated by the above method and get a deeper understanding of the issues faced by stakeholders in the UAE construction industry. With particular emphasis on Contractors who have used offsite methods on projects and manufacturers of offsite products)

Data collection method

advantages

disadvantages

Experimental research

This type of data collection method permits the researcher to control the position.

Allows researchers to find cause and effect, and to differentiate several effects

The position is artificial, and results cannot generalize in a better way with the real world

Often complex to ignore experimenter influences

Action research

The action research has the capability to increase the amount of knowledge a researcher gains from his experience.

In the action research the researcher has to take on the accountabilities for research as well as change

Case study

Provides better hypothesis's source.

Unusual case studies can shed light on problems or situations that are impractical or unethical in other ways

Necessary information can be missing, that might make the interpretation of case difficult.

The individual cannot be typical or representative

survey

Gives the large amount of information regarding the large ...