5.2 The Research Design
59
5.2.4 The Research Participants
A total of 20 participants from 11 different countries took part in this research. Three
participants were involved during Phase 1, 12 during Phase 2, two during Phase 3,
and three during Phase 4. Participants’ countries were based in the following continents: Africa, South America, Central America, North America, Oceania and Europe.
Table 5.2. provides a summary of the research participants’ involvement phase,
number, code name, and relevant inclusion and exclusion criteria. For anonymity
purposes, the countries and/or continents of each participant are not included in the
table.
Participants in Phase 1 piloted the research interviews and provided research
advice (such as research topic, recruitment and the research questions) before wider
data collection commenced. The criteria for selecting Phase 1 participants were
that they had more than three years of experience working in social investment in
the O&G sector. Three participants took part in this phase. Phase 1 participants’
discursive understandings and practices of social investment were included in the
analysis phase.
Phase 2 focused on O&G social investment experts, with twelve participants
taking part who had worked in O&G social investment for three years or more.
Phase 2 participants were either O&G companies’ employees or employees of
third-party contractors of O&G companies, and their roles ranged from experts to
consultants/advisors of social investment.
Table 5.2 The research phases and participants
Phases
Number of participants Participant code names
Inclusion and Exclusion
Criteria
1
(Pilot phase)
3
P19, P18, P16
Within the researcher’s
professional network.
Participants had to have
more than three years of
work experience in O&G
social investment
2
12
P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7,
P8, P9, P10, P11, P12
More than three years of
work experience on O&G
social investment
3
2
P20, P15
More than three years
working for an
organisation developing
one of the guidelines
mentioned by Phase 2
participants
4
3
P13, P14, P17
Government
representatives in the
fields of energy and
resources
59
5.2.4 The Research Participants
A total of 20 participants from 11 different countries took part in this research. Three
participants were involved during Phase 1, 12 during Phase 2, two during Phase 3,
and three during Phase 4. Participants’ countries were based in the following continents: Africa, South America, Central America, North America, Oceania and Europe.
Table 5.2. provides a summary of the research participants’ involvement phase,
number, code name, and relevant inclusion and exclusion criteria. For anonymity
purposes, the countries and/or continents of each participant are not included in the
table.
Participants in Phase 1 piloted the research interviews and provided research
advice (such as research topic, recruitment and the research questions) before wider
data collection commenced. The criteria for selecting Phase 1 participants were
that they had more than three years of experience working in social investment in
the O&G sector. Three participants took part in this phase. Phase 1 participants’
discursive understandings and practices of social investment were included in the
analysis phase.
Phase 2 focused on O&G social investment experts, with twelve participants
taking part who had worked in O&G social investment for three years or more.
Phase 2 participants were either O&G companies’ employees or employees of
third-party contractors of O&G companies, and their roles ranged from experts to
consultants/advisors of social investment.
Table 5.2 The research phases and participants
Phases
Number of participants Participant code names
Inclusion and Exclusion
Criteria
1
(Pilot phase)
3
P19, P18, P16
Within the researcher’s
professional network.
Participants had to have
more than three years of
work experience in O&G
social investment
2
12
P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7,
P8, P9, P10, P11, P12
More than three years of
work experience on O&G
social investment
3
2
P20, P15
More than three years
working for an
organisation developing
one of the guidelines
mentioned by Phase 2
participants
4
3
P13, P14, P17
Government
representatives in the
fields of energy and
resources