Figure 1: confirmatory sequential research design
In confirmatory sequential research design, the research begins with a
conceptual model (a preconceived explanation of or suppositions about
the phenomena of interest generally got from conceptualizing, decisive
reasoning, and applied reasoning) or a theoretical model (clarifications
or assumptions about the phenomena of interest as gotten from systematic
literature review or existing theories). The final activity in stage 1
is to break down the model into question-like statements. Stage 2
commences with qualitative data collection in view of the formulated
questions in stage 1. The main activity in stage 2 is GT. A GT analysis
should be performed on the collected data to produce theories that
clarify what’s going on. The theories from GT will provide insights to
address the proposed connections and factors in the conceptual or
theoretical model. This progression will empower a controlled and
centered exploration. It will likewise empower the perception of a
particular populace or phenomenon in their natural setting.
The detailed experiences gathered from the interviewees during these
long durations provide researchers a rich comprehension of mind-boggling
peculiarities that happen inside that particular social climate so
analysts can foster comprehension of something other than the
unequivocal importance of words, activities, and antiques. This is
particularly significant in the construction sector where knowledge is
tacit and not explicit. Furthermore, GT gives a huge chance to approve
the researcher’s understanding of observations and implications as
postulated in the conceptual or theoretical model. The new bits of
knowledge that GT gives will approve the researcher’s understanding of
the phenomenon of present irregularities that challenge it. If the GT
validates the proposed model, then the researcher can move to the next
stage; but theory amendment or alteration of the model is fundamental
assuming the GT challenges the model.
Validation with theory or hypothesis testing is the next step (that is,
stage 3). The hypotheses should be formed as articulations of realities
from the changed or approved model in stage 2. Where the model is
validated by the GT analysis, the question-like statements in stage 1
are transformed into hypotheses. New hypothesized relationships that
conform to the revised model are to be formulated assuming changes were
made to the proposed model. The normal techniques for testing hypothesis
and theory are Chi-square, linear regression, Confirmatory Factor
Analysis, multiple regression, Structural Equation Modelling, and
Artificial Intelligence. These methods have been utilized for theory and
hypothesis testing in construction management research (Olugboyega and
Windapo, 2021a, b; Olarenwaju et al., 2021; Windapo et al., 2019).
Validation of the theory or model is fundamental to guarantee that
theory being developed is exact, important, significant, solid,
generalizable, and has more extensive application. Validity necessitates
that the researcher gives sufficient detail to persuade others that the
populace has been adequately perceived. The unwavering quality cycles
that accompany hypothesis or theory testing give security and
consistency to the model under comparative conditions. Reliability
additionally gives sufficient setting and subtlety that others will get
what parts of the remarkable circumstance are generalizable to
comparable circumstances. In the last stage (that is, stage 4), the
outcomes acquired in stage 3 are employed to finalize the model or
theory. Only the validated hypotheses with empirical backings are
included in the model or taken as the established theory.
Confirmatory sequential research design is a method that makes
qualitative and quantitative methods complementary through a staggered
and hearty interaction. It is a technique that is vital for the future
and dependability of construction management studies. According to
Dainty (2007), the future development of construction management
research will rely on the readiness of its research community to
consider qualitative and quantitative research to be integral rather
than cutthroat and totally unrelated. Love et al., (2002) noticed that
post-modernity and multi-level research methods are fundamental to
broadening the extent of construction management. Love et al., (2002)
likewise noticed that a powerful research method is needed to
successfully address the intricacy and various difficulties in the
construction sector. This suggests that understanding the phenomenon
that impacts hierarchical, project, individuals, innovation, and
interaction performance in the construction sector requires a vigorous
research method.
The utilization of qualitative or quantitative methods is regularly not
satisfactory to empower comprehension of the perplexing connections that
lead to a significant number of the construction industry’s inescapable
social and specialized issues. A definite method for tending to these
impediments is for the construction research community to supplement
prevalent quantitative and case study methodologies with qualitative
theory-building methodologies (Phelps et al., 2010). Construction
management is a sociotechnical science that requires the use of
empirical methods to quantifiably improve on reality to show and foresee
its cycles and peculiarities. In any case, without an equivalent
accentuation on social, behavioral, and cultural factors to fabricate a
thorough comprehension of these peculiarities, the outcomes from
experimental and quantitative examinations alone will be constantly
lacking (Phelps et al., 2010; Zou et al., 2014). Puddicombe and Johnson
(2011) exhibited that a cycle that expands on theory and that utilizes
approaches from management research holds a critical guarantee for
research in construction management. This large number of contentions
make confirmatory sequential research design applicable in problematic
situations which require the successful connecting of judgment and
investigation. Likewise, confirmatory sequential research design will
fill in as research methods for theory-focused research in construction
management.