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Research Methods Applicable To the Question
When planning to research the evaluation and enhancement of e-waste management in Dubai, one of the initial steps that one has to make is to come up with an appropriate methodology that can be used to collect and analyze data. According to Card (2016), research can only achieve the intended goal if it is carefully planned and executed effectively. Sources of data, instruments, and resources needed for the study and the timeline within which various activities should be completed need to be outlined. In this section of the paper, the researcher focuses on various research methods applicable to the research question. As Walliman (2016) observes, it is always prudent to discuss all the methods that can be used in a given study before explaining which one of them was considered most appropriate. The following are some of the possible research methods that can be used to evaluate how to enhance e-waste management in the United Arab Emirates, specifically in the city of Dubai.
Life Cycle Assessment Approach
The life cycle assessment approach, also known as eco-balance or cradle-to-grave analysis, is defined by Izatt (2016, p. 67) as “a technique to assess environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a product’s life from raw material extraction through materials processing, manufacture, distribution, use, repair and maintenance and disposal or recycling.” As shown in figure 1 below, the first step is the acquisition of raw materials. The focus should be to minimize waste at this stage of extraction as much as possible. The second phase is manufacturing. It is the responsibility of a firm to ensure that manufacturing is conducted by the set policies on waste management.
Packaging of the products and their distribution are the next phases. The firm should monitor wastes at each of these stages. The direct responsibility of a firm to manage e-wastes ends at the distribution stage when the product is handed over to the customer. The user will then be responsible for the effective use of the product within its lifespan. According to Card (2016), some of the leading electronic companies are currently coordinating with their customers to coordinate the disposal of electronic products at the end of their life cycle. As a way of reducing the environmental burden caused by these electronic wastes, there is an attempt to recycle parts of these products.
When using this method of assessment, the researcher will focus on how waste generation can be minimized as much as possible. The model above shows that a firm has a significant role in minimizing waste generation within the lifecycle. It also shows that there is a need for both the user and the manufacturer to work closely together in ensuring that there are effective disposal and possible recycling of the electronic wastes. Several studies that were used in this paper used this method of assessment. They include “Innovating E-Waste Management: From Macroscopic to Microscopic Scales” by Zeng et al. (2017) and “Life Cycle Assessment of Electronic Waste Treatment” by Hong et al. (2015). These authors used the systematic approach of monitoring waste generation at various stages of production and consumption, and strategies that can be used to curb such issues. The researcher can use this method to assess ways of enhancing electronic wastes in the city of Dubai.
Literature Review Approach
A literature review is another popular approach to assessment when conducting research. Also known as, desk research, this assessment method involves reviewing existing studies on a given topic (McNabb, 2015). The primary goal of the researcher is to find out what other scholars have found out in a given field of knowledge. When conducting a research project, the aim is always to generate new knowledge other than duplicating the already existing information. In a literature review, the focus is not to duplicate the information but to compare the findings made to identify any existing knowledge gaps. The review may also help in comparing the effectiveness of different methods of managing wastes discussed in various studies. According to Pruzan (2016), through the literature review, one can classify different methods of managing wastes based on their efficiency as found in different studies. It means that such a study will consolidate information from various sources to provide an informative document that is based on studies conducted by different individuals.
Most studies often conduct a literature review before collecting and analyzing primary data. The process helps in providing background information about a given study. It creates a platform on which a researcher should collect primary data by identifying the existing gaps and contradictions in the existing knowledge. Some of the examples of studies that used the literature review approach include “China E-Waste Management: Struggling for Future Success” by Chen et al. (2018). Another one is “Electronic Waste Management and Security in GCC Countries: A Growing Challenge” by Alghazo and Ouda (2016). In both cases, the authors relied only on secondary data they collected from various sources. However, they were able to address some of the concerns of previous scholars by reviewing what other authors found out on this issue. The use of a large number of credible sources in their studies enhances the credibility of their findings. This method is appropriate when evaluating ways of enhancing electronic waste management in Dubai. It would help in answering the research question.
Modeling Approach
The modeling approach is also another approach that can be used when conducting this investigation. According to McKinney (2017, p. 56), the modeling approach is often used “to understand and communicate about a system of interest with the ultimate aim of bringing a positive change to how a given issue is built or managed.” In this case, such models would be needed to improve how electronic wastes in Dubai are managed. Traditionally, one would dump an old phone, radio, television sets, and computers among other electronic wastes alongside other household garbage. However, most of these electronic wastes have a serious impact on the environment. Some of them emit dangerous radiations, which pose a threat to the immediate community living close to the dumping sites and those working in the garbage management in the city. The modeling approach may help in coming up with a comprehensive plan of collecting, sorting, and managing such wastes in a way that poses minimal threat possible to members of the public.
According to Card (2016), a study can use physical, mathematical, or conceptual models that can help effectively explain an issue. Most scientific investigations often use mathematical models to provide a clear pattern of addressing a given concern. Using known mathematical models and arriving at a realistic solution helps in enhancing the credibility of the outcome of the investigation. On the other hand, most of the social sciences often rely on conceptual models to help in explaining the relationship between various factors under investigation. For instance, this study can use a conceptual model to explain the relationship between the use of modern garbage management techniques and the reduction of dangerous electronic wastes within the city. The model can also help in identifying various steps that can be taken by different stakeholders in the city to reduce the mass generation of electronic wastes from the domestic and industrial sectors.
Field Monitoring Approach
The field monitoring approach is another popular method that can be used when conducting this study. According to McNabb (2015), this method involves collecting primary data from the field. Instead of relying on secondary data from published sources, a researcher would be required to go to the field and collect information using different strategies. One of the common ways of field research is through interviews. In this case, a researcher would be required to identify a sample of individuals who have adequate knowledge about an issue under investigation. The participants would be required to answer specific questions relating to the research topic through different forms of interviews. Face-to-face interviews are often the most appropriate way of collecting primary data. However, sometimes time and distance between a researcher and the respondents may limit the ability to use the method. In such cases, one can conduct telephone interviews or send questionnaires via e-mail to the participants. They will be expected to answer the questions within a given period and e-mail back their responses. Officials working in Dubai City’s sewerage and waste management system, workers in electronic companies, and experts in electronic waste management would be the best candidates for such interviews.
Observation is another common type of field monitoring research approach. In this case, a researcher will need to visit a waste management system within the city. Instead of collecting data in offices, restaurants, and homes of the participants, the researcher would focus on understanding the nature of the problem by observing it. The strategy would involve monitoring how waste is generated and managed in the city. The researcher will focus on identifying major weaknesses with the current systems and propose ways of overcoming them. The approach can also help in identifying individuals who should be responsible for undertaking different duties to help address the problem. McNabb (2015) warns that observation would require a skilled investigator who can identify the problem when they see it. One should know how electronic wastes should be managed and ways in which different stakeholders should act to reduce the massive generation of such materials. When conducting the observation, the investigator will be focusing on what these stakeholders are not doing correctly and propose ways of overcoming the identified challenges. One can also use recording instruments such as cameras for a later detailed analysis of the problem.
Field research is often considered the most effective method of collecting up-to-date information about a specific issue. When one is keen on collecting the most recent data on a given issue, the best way of doing that is to go to the field to understand the current affairs. Some of the secondary sources may be outdated. For instance, electronic waste management systems that were popular a decade ago may not be effective in modern society. The only way of understanding the current trends may be to conduct field research. Examples of field research are “The Reverse Supply Chain of the E-Waste Management Processes in a Circular Economy Framework: Evidence from Italy” by Isernia et al. (2019). When evaluating ways of enhancing e-waste management in Dubai, this method cannot be ignored. It will be of great help in understanding the current practices that authorities in the city are using and determining whether the strategies are in line with the best practices from other parts of the developed world.
Historical Approach
The historical approach is a common method of conducting research. Depending on the nature of the question, the researcher will focus on collecting historical data to address the issue under investigation (Williams 2016). It is often appropriate when one is interested in determining the pattern of occurrence of an issue. When using this method to evaluate ways of enhancing electronic waste management in Dubai, the researcher will be expected to collect information about past and present practices. The information would help in identifying the trend that has been taken to help in predicting the future. It is an effective method of investigation when trying to address concerns such as resistance to change within an organization. Enhancing electronic waste management within a given city would require changing the current practices and embracing new ones, which have been tested and proven effective. However, when a firm has a history of resisting change, such plans may be defeated.
As such, the historical approach would help in understanding how relevant authorities approached new concepts in the past to help in the planning process. If the historical analysis shows that there is the potential of some top leaders resisting change, the team can develop ways of addressing this concern. It will be possible to find ways of explaining to them the relevance of the new waste management techniques, financial and environmental benefits, and the fact that it would not have negative consequences on the organization or stakeholders involved. Veit and Bernardes (2015) note that when using the historical approach, one may also want to consider using other additional approaches to have a detailed understanding of the issue under investigation.
Mixed-Mode Approach
The mixed-mode research approach is a popular method of researching different studies. As the name suggests, it involves the use of different methods of investigation. According to Card (2016), sometimes it may not be possible to use a single method of collecting data from participants. Interviews may be effective yet a researcher may find it necessary to use observation or review of the literature as well to have a deep understanding of an issue. In most cases, a researcher would start by reviewing the literature to find what other scholars have found out and to identify the existing research gaps. After identifying gaps in the existing body of knowledge, a researcher would then focus on the collection of primary data to address the identified gap. It makes it possible to avoid cases where a researcher collects primary data only to reiterate what other studies had confirmed. In this context, it becomes possible to explain an issue from different angles.
The mixed-mode approach has remained the most popular method of researching social scientists. Examples of a mixed-method approach include “Economic and Environmental Assessment of Recycling and Reuse of Electronic Waste: Multiple Case Studies in Brazil and Switzerland” by Neto, Correia, and Schroeder (2017) that used interviews, observations, and literature review. Another one is “Inventorisation of E-Waste and Developing a Policy: Bulk Consumer Perspective” by Senophiyah and Meenambal (2016) that used a literature review and field study. Studies by Souza et al. (2016) and Pookkasorn and Sharp (2016) also relied on both primary and secondary data. A review of these studies shows that the authors relied on the literature review to provide the initial information about the issue. It made it possible for the scholars to understand the current gaps and contradictions and issues that other scholars believe should be investigated further. Then they used interviews, observations, or other methods to collect primary data to address the identified concerns.
Most Appropriate Approach to the Problem
The section above has identified the appropriate research approaches that can be used to inform the study. In this section, it is important to explain the most appropriate method that will be used and to explain reasons why it was considered the most appropriate over the rest. According to Pruzan (2016), if one is selecting an appropriate research approach in a given study, one of the guiding factors should be the research question. The selected approach should be capable of answering the research question in the most effective way possible. Flexibility in conducting the research is another factor that should not be ignored. McNabb (2015) explains that the approach should allow a researcher to explore different avenues of answering the research question. The available time for the study, policies set by the relevant institution such as the school, and personal preferences may define the approach that is used. Based on these factors, the mixed-mode approach was considered the most appropriate for the study.
The researcher will use the review of the literature to understand the current practices when it comes to electronic waste management. First, the researcher will focus on establishing practices that have been used in the United Arab Emirates and other parts of the world. Secondary data sources will also help in identifying best practices that countries in the developing world are currently using to manage wastes, especially those in Europe and North America. The researcher will then focus on determining the current practices in waste management within the city of Dubai. Conducting interviews with the relevant authorities within the country would enable the researcher to understand the level of generation and approach to managing electronic wastes in the city. Information from these sources will help in defining the appropriate plans that should be used in the country.
The Research Plan
The previous task has identified the appropriate research approach that will be used in this study. This section focuses on providing a detailed plan of specific activities and methods that will be used in the study. The section starts by defining the aim and objective of the study to help determine the nature of data that should be collected and appropriate sources. It explains the method that will be used to collect data, justifying the method that was chosen. The instrument used in the data collection is discussed to help enhance the validity of the research. Methods of data analysis and the expected outcome are also provided. McNabb (2015) explains that the preliminary information obtained from the initial review of literature can help point at the expected outcome of the study. The section talks about the resources needed for the study. The researcher must effectively plan for the project by ensuring that the needed resources are available before initiating the project. Finally, the timeline of different activities within this project is discussed.
Aim and Objectives of the Research
When planning to conduct research, one of the first steps that should be taken is to define the aim and objectives that should be achieved. Defining the aim provides the needed focus on collecting and analyzing primary data. The objectives break down the aim into specific goals that should be realized by the end of the study. According to Walliman (2016), developed objectives ensure that a researcher does not sway from the focus of the study. It eliminates cases where one collects a massive amount of information that is not directly related to the research topic. As such, they help in avoiding cases of time wastage in the study. The primary aim of this research is to evaluate ways of enhancing electronic waste management in Dubai. The following are the specific objectives that the researcher should achieve through this research:
- To identify current electronic waste management practices in Dubai;
- To identify major weaknesses in the current electronic waste management practices within the city;
- To determine the stakeholders involved in the country’s electronic waste management;
- To determine the current best practices in electronic waste management around the world;
- To establish how local stakeholders in Dubai can embrace global best practices to enhance electronic waste management in the city.
The research objectives defined the questions that were used in collecting data from various sources. Achieving these objectives will enable the researcher to have a comprehensive plan that can be used by relevant authorities within Dubai to enhance electronic waste management. The study will use data from both primary and secondary sources to help achieve the research aim and objectives.
Methodology to Be Used
The methodology that a researcher chooses to collect data should depend on factors such as time, the nature of research questions, and the primary aim of the study. As stated above, the researcher intends to use both primary and secondary data sources. Secondary data will be obtained from books, journal articles, and reliable online sources. They will form the basis of the literature review. Primary data will be obtained from a sample of participants who have the right knowledge, through experience and academics, to respond to the research questions. The appropriate method of collecting primary data would be through the method of interview. This method will be conducted in two ways. The researcher will focus on conducting face-to-face interviews with the participants. Card (2016) explains that physical interaction between a data collector and a respondent lowers cases where one provides invalid answers to complete the process in the shortest time possible. For those who will not be available for physical interviews because of time or geographic constraints, phone interviews will be used instead.
The researcher intends to use judgmental sampling to select those who will participate in the study. This non-probability sampling method involves identifying specific individuals who meet inclusion criteria for the study. The inclusion criteria, in this case, include the fact that all participants must be currently living in Dubai or neighboring cities. They should be working in firms related to waste management or a lecturer in environmental studies. They should have some form of experience in electronic waste management. Once an appropriate sample size is obtained, the researcher will contact them through phone calls to prepare them for the study. They will be informed about the significance of the study and the role that they will play. Both the researcher and individual respondent will define the place of meeting for the interview.
Instruments or Tools to Be Used
The researcher will use a questionnaire as the most appropriate instrument to facilitate the collection of primary data from participants. The researcher considered this tool critical in the effective planning of the research. The instrument will be developed during the process of literature review. As McNabb (2015) notes, during the process of reviewing secondary data, a researcher will identify existing knowledge gaps that need to be addressed. At such a stage, one is in the best position to develop questions that should be answered when collecting primary data. The questions should not only reflect the primary question and the topic of the study, but also the gaps identified in the existing body of knowledge that the specific study should address (Walliman 2016). The questionnaire had three sections. The first section focused on the demographics of the participants. The researcher was interested in determining their age place of residence within the country, and nationality. The section was important in ensuring that all participants have stayed in the city long enough to understand practices in electronic waste management.
The second part of the instrument focused on the academic qualification and experience of the participants in waste management in general. Pruzan (2016) explains that a high level of education and experience gives an individual the authority to explain a given phenomenon. An individual with a doctoral degree who has been working at the Centre of Waste Management is in the best position to explain challenges faced when electronic waste management and how to address the problems than a high school graduate who has just been hired to drive garbage trucks. The third part of the questionnaire delved into issues directly relating to electronic waste management in Dubai. The last section of this tool employed both structured and unstructured questions. Structured questions were needed to facilitate the statistical analysis of data using quantitative methods. On the other hand, the unstructured question made it possible to collect information needed in qualitative analysis. The two methods of analyzing data are discussed in detail in the section below.
Analysis Methods and Expected Outcomes
When data has been collected from primary sources, the next important stage is to conduct an analysis. McNabb (2015) says that data has to be processed to ensure that it is meaningful and provides a direct response to the research question. The method that one chooses to use should help in meeting the research aim and objectives. In this study, the focus of the researcher is to evaluate ways of enhancing electronic waste management in Dubai. Mixed method research will be the most appropriate method of analysis that will be used in the study. Quantitative data analysis will help in explaining the magnitude of the problem. It will allow the researcher to quantify the problem and the proposed solution. It will be possible to point out a certain number of participants who feel that a given approach would be effective in addressing the problem. Quantitative analysis will be conducted using a mathematical approach with the help of the SPSS software or excel spreadsheet. It will involve the use of structured questions to ensure that the data collected can be coded for statistical analysis.
The qualitative method of analyzing data will equally be important in this study. As Card (2016) explains, the qualitative method goes beyond statistics to explain why a given phenomenon happened in a given way. It makes it possible to explain the pattern of events in the study. in this case, it will be used to help explain why the city is currently using a specific approach of managing electronic wastes, the effectiveness of the current methods, and ways in which they can be improved. The analysis will also explain the challenges that stakeholders are facing when trying to enhance waste management within the city. The open-ended questions allow respondents to provide a detailed explanation of a question based on personal experience and knowledge.
At this stage, it is important to avoid being pre-emptive, as McNabb (2015) advises, to ensure that the researcher remains objective throughout the investigation. Having a fixed mind about the possible outcome of the study may affect the ability to be open-minded during the process of collecting and analyzing data. However, the preliminary review of the literature indicates that Dubai has made a significant improvement in the manner in which it manages electronic wastes. The city has developed plans to help recycle and expand the lifecycle of some of these electronics. The researcher expects to find ways in which this city can improve its effort of minimizing electronic wastes in the local dumpsites.
Resource Requirements
When conducting this study, it will be necessary to have specific resources to facilitate various activities from various stages of the research. The researcher will need a questionnaire to help in collecting primary data. According to Pruzan (2016), a questionnaire is an important tool for enabling an individual to plan for an interview and to standardize the data collection process. It ensures that similar questions are posed to the participants to facilitate a standard way of responding. It saves time during the actual process of data collection and eliminates cases where a researcher forgets to ask critical questions. The questionnaire was developed before the interviews. Secondary data was collected from books and journal articles available in various online databases. As such, reliable high-speed internet is another important resource that will be needed to facilitate secondary data collection. Through the online platform, the researcher will also be capable of collecting data from different websites that have current data on the issue.
The researcher intended to interview some of the individuals working in the waste management department within the city of Dubai and those who are involved in promoting the recycling of electronic wastes within the country. As such, travel costs will have to be met to enhance the success of the study. The amount of money may vary significantly depending on the location of the participants. The financial resource will also be used to purchase airtime that will be used to call those who will be part of the investigation. Once data is collected, both qualitative and quantitative approaches of analysis will be needed. When conducting quantitative analysis, the researcher will need a statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) software to facilitate the process. Alternatively, the researcher will need excel software to ensure that the needed graphs and charts are presented in a neat format based on information collected from respondents. Given this is academic research, there will be no additional personnel that will be needed. The researcher will be directly involved in the collection and analysis of primary data.
Timeline for Doing the Research
Effective planning is always critical in ensuring that a given project is completed within a specific period. According to Walliman (2016), academic projects often have a strict timeline within which specific activities have to be completed. As such, the researcher was keen on ensuring that this project is completed within the time set by the school to get the maximum points. Specific milestones that had to be achieved include developing a research proposal, approval of the proposal by the tutor, conducting the literature review, developing a research questionnaire, collecting primary data from the respondents, analyzing the data, preparing the final document, and proofing activities. According to McNabb (2015), a timeline for doing research should be set realistically to ensure that the set activities can be completed within the period. When one activity delays, such as developing a questionnaire, it may affect the rest of the activities in the project. Primary data may not be collected as required if the questionnaire is not complete. The table below shows how time as a resource will be used to conduct various activities in the study:
Table 1: Timeline of the activities.
It is important to note that some activities will be running alongside others. For instance, the literature review will start at the initial stage of proposal development until the last date of developing the final draft because of the need to provide references at every stage of the study. Similarly, the questionnaire can be developed at a time when the researcher is reviewing the literature. It is equally important to note that some activities may take longer or shorter than the period proposed in the table above. For instance, when the researcher will be able to reach out to the participants within the city of Dubai in a short period, the process of primary data collection may take a shorter period than what has been proposed. Conversely, if it takes longer to track down and interview the respondents, the time may be longer.
Reference List
Alghazo, JM & Ouda, OM 2016, ‘Electronic waste management and security in GCC countries: a growing challenge’, In 2nd ICIEM 2016, International Conference on Integrated Environmental Management for Sustainable Development, Oxford University Press, London, pp. 1-9.
Card, A 2016, Applied meta-analysis for social science research, 2nd edn, The Guilford Press, New York, NY.
Chen, M, Ogunseitan, OA, Duan, H, Zeng, X & Li, J 2018, ‘China E-waste management: struggling for future success’, Resources, Conservation & Recycling, vol. 139, no. 1, pp. 48-49.
Hong, J, Shi, W, Wang, Y, Chen, W & Li, 2015, ‘Life cycle assessment of electronic waste treatment’, Waste Management, vol. 38, no. 1, pp. 357-367.
Isernia, R, Passaro, R, Quinto, I & Thomas, A 2019, ‘The reverse supply chain of the e-waste management processes in a circular economy framework: evidence from Italy’, Sustainability, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 1-19.
Izatt, RM 2016, Metal sustainability: global challenges, consequences, and prospects, Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ.
McKinney, J 2017, Budgeting for sustainability, McFarland & Company Publishers, London.
McNabb, D 2015, Research methods for political science: quantitative and qualitative methods, 2nd edn, M.E. Sharpe, New York, NY.
Neto, GC, Correia, JC & Schroeder, AM 2017, ‘Economic and environmental assessment of recycling and reuse of electronic waste: multiple case studies in Brazil and Switzerland’, Resources, Conservation & Recycling, vol. 127, no. 1, pp. 42-55.
Pookkasorn, S & Sharp, A 2016, ‘The management of waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in Bangkok, Thailand’, In 6th International Conference on Biological, Chemical & Environmental Sciences (BCES-2016) August 8-9, 2016, Pattaya Mail Publishing Company, Pattaya, pp. 37-40.
Pruzan, P 2016, Research methodology: the aims, practices and ethics of science, Cengage, London.
Senophiyah, MJ & Meenambal, T 2016, ‘Inventorisation of e-waste and developing a policy: bulk consumer perspective’, Procedia Environmental Sciences, vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 643-655.
Souza, RG, Clímaco, JN, Sant’Anna, AP, Rocha, TB, Valle, AB & Quelhas, OL 2016, ‘Sustainability assessment and prioritization of e-waste management options in Brazil’, Waste Management, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 1-10.
Veit, HM & Bernardes, MA (eds.) 2015, Electronic waste: recycling techniques, Springer, Cham.
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Williams, EF 2016, Green giants: how smart companies turn sustainability into billion-dollar businesses, Cengage, New York, NY.
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