Filling in the “Whys” of Quantitative Data: The Roles of Non-Research and Reflexivity in Applied Safety Climate Research

Abstract

Our quantitative study assessed the general safety climate within the mining industry, as well as aspects of safety climate that significantly affect mineworker health and safety performance. We first developed and validated a 58-question psychometrically supported survey. We then obtained human subjects approval and collected data from 1,334 mineworkers across 20 mine sites during April 2015–April 2017. Although quantitative research is often considered straightforward due to the statistical inferences provided upon analysis, our fieldwork experiences identified several skills that we found to be especially important when conducting quantitative research. In particular, we discuss the importance of establishing rapport with participants to gain their trust and informally learn about their experiences and opinions, being aware of perceived power gaps between us and participants, the value of adaptability and flexibility in the field, and the role that our own reflexivity can have in the field and during data analysis. This case demonstrates the value of being able to not only tap into all of the research tools acquired over time but also transfer skills learned for the purposes of one research method and applying them to another.

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