Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
6
Methodology
Grounded theory (GT) and the single case study are established research approaches
in ISD research (e.g. Ovaska and Stapleton
2010
; Matavire and Brown
2008
).
Grounded theory generates theory from data and is classifi ed as an inductive
approach to theory building. Data may be gathered through interviews, question-
naires, observations, documentation, images, video, etc. The researcher enters their
chosen fi eld and collects data and induces theory from that data (Corbin and Strauss
2008
). According to Robson (
2002
), the researcher typically makes a series of visits
to the fi eld, until analysis of the data has reached a point where no new information
from the data is gleaned (called 'saturation' in GT).
Grounded theory and the single case study were the methodologies chosen to
investigate if the effects of hosting the technology were present in a successful post-
confl ict large-scale technology adoption and if hope was a feature of this success.
The investigation is of the telemedicine centre itself and the technology which
formed an intrinsic part of the centre.
To date the researchers have conducted three visits to the Telemedicine Centre of
Kosovo. The principal researcher was a PhD candidate, from the southeast of
Ireland. The second researcher was the research supervisor of the principal
researcher and also from the southeast of Ireland. The principal researcher had no
previous connections to Kosovo; the second researcher had conducted research in
the region previously. Both researchers contributed to this research. The language
used for all interviews was English. All interviewees at the centre were Kosovan
Albanian. No interpreter was necessary as the interviewees had suffi cient English
language (to be accepted to work at the centre, English language was required). This
did not limit the choice of respondents. As the interviewees were non-native English
speakers, some minor grammatical errors in interviewee responses were corrected
in the presentation of the fi ndings. More detail on this is covered in Kealy and
Stapleton (
2012a
,
b
).
The ethnic division in the region was also highlighted by the absence of Serbian
and other ethnic minorities at the centre.
It was evident in stories which told of a reluctance of, and diffi culties for, different
ethnic groups to take advantage of the full range of TCK services despite TCK's
willingness to engage with ethnic minorities, 'TCK is free for all…including all
minorities…and its resources have been in use for all minorities in Kosovo apart
from Serb minority…although in few occasions we did have them as well partici-
pating to a lecture presentation' (male doctor and director). Their reluctance to
engage was described by interviewees as 'one hundred percent political barriers',
'fully political issue' and 'I have had much contact with ethnic groups - when polit-
ical issues rise from their side it is problem' (male doctor and director). This percep-
tion was corroborated in the fact that Serbian medical personnel were reported to
have needed permission (which was denied) from Serbian authorities in Belgrade to
engage with TCK, 'Serbs in Mitrovica rejected us we must connect to Belgrade'
(male doctor and director). In spite of these tensions, moves were made by TCK
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