'Research design' involves developing a set of plans and procedures that encompass a wide array of research considerations, from the broadest philosophical assumptions to detailed, practical matters such as data capture and analysis (Creswell 2009: p.3). In its widest context, this research is socially framed, since it explores how people should act in the particular environment of managing PPPs in their operating phase. According to Crotty (1998: p.2), there are four elements that a social research design must address: epistemology, theoretical perspective, methodology and method.
Table 2.2 below sets out a social research design framework. The framework has been adopted for this research as it provides clear direction based upon the theoretical assumptions that underpin the choice of the research problem, the research questions, the research aim and objectives (see Chapter 1), and points to a methodology and method. The stances bolded in the Table are those that will form the foundation for the design of this research.
Table 2.2 A Social Research Design Framework (Source: Crotty 1998).
[Table removed due to copyright restrictions]
The remainder of section 2.3 outlines different perspectives - it justifies the chosen approaches and explains why others are considered less suitable.