Application of mixed methods research in the onshore oil and gas drilling environment

Application of mixed methods research in the onshore oil and gas drilling environment

There is significant variance in safety related behaviours between co-workers in a multinational oil and gas drilling operations functioning within South East Asia. Manifestations of this issue within this process driven high risk workplace included extensive variation in safe work performance stemming from individual and collective preparedness to engage in risk taking (Russo 2015).

Understanding the identified phenomenon involved the application of a sequential exploratory mixed method study incorporating both a qualitative element in the form of a semi-structured interview, and a quantitative element involving a widely distributed survey within the broader onshore oil and gas industry. Analysis of variances in risk tolerance achieved through the conduct of both methods, permitted an in-depth exploration of antecedents, variables and factors and their manifestation in desirable or undesirable workplace behaviours.

Because this research is concerned with longitudinal influences that on safe work performance within onshore oil and gas drilling operations, it is principally concerned with factors involving human behaviour. A multi-faceted data collection and analysis approach was supported by the selection of a pragmatic constructivism paradigm. Mixed methods are useful for practical minded researchers investigating the experience of a population in order to comprehend the situational realities within a professional environment. A sequential exploratory mixed methods research methodology was found to be appropriate in all of these circumstances.