CHAPTER 3

Research Methodology

3.0 Introduction

A research ‘method’ refers to specific activities designed to generate data (e.g.,

questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, observation as depicted by (Greener, 2008). This

chapter gives an insight about the activities that the researcher used in the collection of data

and obtaining the results from 4G LTE cellular network simulation, questionnaires and

simulations. Research methodology is more about your attitude to and your understanding of

research and the strategy you choose to answer research questions as further differentiated by

(Greener, 2008). (Saunders et al., 2016) concurred that the term methodology refers to the

theory of how research should be undertaken. The researcher will allocate the inherently

appropriate research strategies, given that the researcher will use more than one strategy.

(Saunders et al., 2016) listed some of the research strategies suited for this thesis:

 experiment;

 survey;

 case study;

 action research;

 grounded theory;

 ethnography;

 archival research.

However, the researcher considers to use case study, survey, and experiments i.e.,

simulations. Our case study being Econet Wireless (Pvt) Limited’s 4G LTE cellular network,
surveys will be created for the Econet Wireless subscribers and experiment will be carried out

using simulations with data precise to that of the Econet Wireless network.

3.1 Research Philosophy

(Saunders et al., 2016) described research philosophy as important assumptions about the

way in which you view the world, hence, these assumptions will underpin your research

strategy and the methods you choose as part of that strategy. In order to enhance the

researcher’s understanding of the way in which to approach the current study, the researcher

selected two main research philosophies namely epistemology, and positivist.

Epistemology

(Saunders et al., 2016) asserts that it concerns what constitutes acceptable knowledge in a

field of study. This is about the information the researcher considers important for the study

of 4G LTE cellular network using the case study of Econet Wireless (Pvt) Limited. The basic

information that this thesis relies on is the network physical architecture of the 4G LTE

cellular network and its behavior as a packet access carrier between the internet and the User

Equipment. The bearer process, which is the differentiation of packets based on type of

service and subscribers made by categorizing of the incoming data, will be important in

determining the QoS of the 4G LTE network given different network loads like video

streaming, gaming, etc.

Positivist

Positivism relates to the philosophical stance of the natural scientist and this entails working

with an observable social reality and the end product can be law-like generalizations similar

to those in the physical and natural sciences as referred by (Saunders et al., 2016). (Greener,
2008) asserts that it promotes the idea of experimentation and testing to prove or disapprove

hypothesis (deductive) and then generates new theory by putting facts together to generate

‘laws’ or principle (inductive). This research paper applies this research philosophy in order

to cover the most important aspect of networking which is observing its ability to send and

receive data at a given time. This research paper also seeks to run performance tests and

simulations on the 4g LTE mobile broadband network provided by Econet Wireless (Pvt) Ltd

in order to analyze it overall QoS.

3.2 Research Approach

This is whether your research should use the deductive approach, in which you develop a

theory and hypothesis (or hypotheses) and design a research strategy to test the hypothesis, or

the inductive approach, in which you would collect data and develop theory as a result of

your data analysis as explained by (Saunders et al., 2016). This thesis will use an inductive

approach using Econet Wireless (Pvt) Ltd as a case study, and questionnaires to capture data

from subscribers of Econet Wireless. The researcher also used real-time simulation to collect

data on the QoS of the 4G LTE cellular network and using discrete-event simulation to

analyse the mechanism of the 4G LTE using an already available projects called SimuLTE

and INET framework 4.2.2.

3.2.1 Questionnaires

(Saunders et al., 2016) described it as a general term including all data collection techniques

in which each person is asked to respond to the same set of questions in a predetermined

order.
In this thesis, questionnaires are aimed at collecting data with an objective to collect QoS

related data in 2G/3G and 4G LTE networks. There are different types of questionnaires that

are available and one this thesis used is self-administered questionnaire.

Self-administered questionnaire was described by (Saunders et al., 2016) as a data collection

technique in which each respondent reads and answers the same set of questions in a

predetermined order without an interviewer being present. Such questionnaires are

administered electronically using the Internet (Internet-mediated questionnaires) or intranet

(intranet-mediated questionnaires), posted to respondents who return them by post after

completion (postal or mail questionnaires), or delivered by hand to each respondent and

collected later (delivery and collection questionnaires). This thesis used internet-mediated

questionnaires using Google forms, website forms and WhatsApp using messaged links to

WhatsApp groups and the forms are anonymous for user information privacy.

An example of a questionnaire is shown in Appendix A.

According to (Saunders et al., 2016) questionnaires have the following advantages:

They are easy to analyse. Data and tabulation for nearly all surveys can be easily done with

many computer software packages.

 They collect data from more than one respondent at the same time.

 They can be administered to large numbers of people at the same time and

respondents will respond to same questions, which will improve precision of the

results.

 Questionnaires are cost effective and convenient in data collection especially in this

research - the problem of reliability and clarity will be minimized by conducting a

pilot survey to clarify questions and make them simple.

  The nature of questions in a questionnaire is such that they precisely address research

questions and objectives.

However, questionnaires have disadvantages of low response rate, inability to probe

responses since they are structured and they cannot give visual communication.

3.2.2 Simulation

Simulation is the application of a model with the objective to derive strategies that help solve

a problem or answer a question pertaining to a system, (Velten, 2009). This study used

simulation techniques such as discrete and/ continuous simulation. Simulation was used to

collect data for the analysis of 4G LTE cellular networks and QoS performance.

Advantages of simulation

(Banks, 2004) listed the advantages and some disadvantages of simulation, some of them are

listed below:

1. Time can be compressed or expanded allowing for a speed up or slowdown of the

phenomena under investigation.

2. Insight can be obtained about the interaction of variables.

3. Insight can be obtained about the importance of variables on the performance of the

system.

4. Bottleneck analysis can be performed indicating where work in process, information,

materials, and so on are being excessively delayed.

5. A simulation study can help in understanding how the system operates rather than

how individuals think the system operates.

Disadvantages of simulation
 1. Simulation results may be difficult to interpret. Since most simulation outputs are

essentially random variables (they are usually based on random inputs), it may be

hard to determine whether an observation is a result of system interrelationships or

randomness.

2. Simulation modelling and analysis can be time consuming and expensive. Skimping

on resources for modelling and analysis may result in a simulation model or analysis

that is not sufficient for the task.

3. Simulation is used in some cases when an analytical solution is possible, or even

preferable. This is particularly true in the simulation of some waiting lines where

closed-form queueing models are available.

3.2.2.1 Continuous (Real time) Simulation

A continuous (real time) simulation uses real world situation by continuously making

alterations to the model as time varies and this thesis used mobile applications like RTR-

Nettest and Open Nettest in order to test mobile networks provided by Econet Wireless.

3.2.2.2 Discrete Event Simulation

Discrete systems, on the other hand, involve quantities that change at discrete times only,

such as the number of individuals in animal populations, (Velten, 2009). This thesis used a

discrete event simulation by obtaining a simulation tool called Omnet++ 5.5.1.

3.3 Research Design

(Greener, 2008) defined research design as a grand plan of approach to a research topic. This

thesis used multiples research strategies based on a case study, questionnaire and simulation.
The design used is based on mixed methods. (Saunders et al., 2016) asserted that the term

mixed methods, is the general term for when both quantitative and qualitative data collection

techniques and analysis procedures are used in a research design. It is subdivided into two

types. Mixed method research uses quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques

and analysis procedures either at the same time (parallel) or one after the other (sequential)

but does not combine them.

(Saunders et al., 2016) agreed with an argument of Tashakkori and Teddlie (2003) that

multiple methods are useful if they provide better opportunities for you to answer your

research questions and where they allow you to better evaluate the extent to which your

research findings can be trusted and inferences made from them. In this thesis multiple

methods answered the research questions and they provide enough data to analyze the

performance of the 4G LTE network provided by Econet Wireless.

3.3.1 Questionnaire Design

The internet-based questionnaires had certain characteristics. (Saunders et al., 2016)

described that the design of your questionnaire will affect the response rate and the reliability

and validity of the data you collect. Response rates, validity and reliability can be maximized

by:

 careful design of individual questions;

 clear layout of the questionnaire form;

 lucid explanation of the purpose of the questionnaire;

 pilot testing;

 carefully planned and executed administration.

All these characteristics were applied in the questionnaires of this thesis in order to collect

data on Econet Wireless cellular network performance.

3.3.2 Simulation Design

The simulation model design of the 4G LTE network mechanism was already available for

the both discrete event simulation and or continuous (real time) simulation. For discrete

-event simulation, Omnet ++ 5.5.1 used along with packages such as INET framework 4.2.2

and the LTE simulation model called SimuLTE. This package was specifically used to

simulate the mechanisms of LTE cellular networks allowing data collection such as network

structure, downlink and uplink of packet movements and packet movement in the LTE

network architecture. Below, Figure 3.1, is a depiction of the Omnet++ 5.5.1 simulation

package:
 Figure 3.1 Omnet++ 5.5.1

For continuous simulations, applications such as RTR-Nettest and Open-Nettest were used.

These worked while connected to the Econet Wireless networks (2G/3G and 4G LTE).

Installed on a 4G LTE connection capable mobile phone, the applications collected data

about the QoS of the network, from different locations with 4G LTE coverage. Below are the

Figure 3.2 and Figure 3.3 for the two mobile applications:
Figure 3.2 RTR-Nettest App
Figure 3.3 Open-Nettest App
 3.4 Data presentation and analysis plan

Quantitative data in a raw form, that is, before these data have been processed and analyzed,

convey very little meaning to most people and quantitative analysis techniques such as

graphs, charts and statistics allow changing data into useful information; helping us to

explore, present, describe and examine relationships and trends within our data, (Saunders et

al., 2016).

(Saunders et al., 2016) agreed with Tukey’s (1977) exploratory data analysis approach which

is useful in these initial stages. This approach emphasizes the use of diagrams to explore and

understand your data, emphasizing the importance of using your data to guide your choices of

analysis techniques.

This thesis has tools already available to collect analyzed data in form of graphs, and

diagrams.

3.5 Research Ethics

(Saunders et al., 2016) asserted that a number of key ethical issues arise across the stages and

duration of a research project. These ethical issues include:

 privacy of possible and actual participants;

 voluntary nature of participation and the right to withdraw partially or completely

from the process;

 consent and possible deception of participants;

 maintenance of the confidentiality of data provided by individuals or identifiable

participants and their anonymity;

 reactions of participants to the way in which you seek to collect data, including

embarrassment, stress, discomfort, pain and harm;

  effects on participants of the way in which you use, analyze and report your data, in

particular the avoidance of embarrassment, stress, discomfort, pain and harm;

 behavior and objectivity of you as researcher;

3.6 Summary

This chapter discussed all the research methods and methodologies used in this thesis

including the research philosophies showing point of views of the researcher in relation to

this thesis. This chapter also annotated the research approaches chosen for this thesis stating

their advantages and disadvantages. The chapter described the research design of the study

clearly stating the designs of each research approach and then listed the research ethics in

data collection. Finally, the chapter described the data representation and analysis and in

Chapter 4, this is described in depth.

References

Banks, J. (2004). Discrete-Event System Simulation (Vol. 4). Prentice hall.

Greener, S. (2008). Business Research Methods.[e-book] Dr. In Sue Greener and Ventus

Publishing ApS. Available through:< http://www. bookbon. com>[Accessed 9 May

2011].

http://gent.uab.cat/diego_prior/sites/gent.uab.cat.diego_prior/files/02_e_01_introduction

-to-research-methods.pdf

Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2016). Research Methods for Buniess Students. In

Pearson.

Velten, K. (2009). Mathematical Modeling and Simulation.