Study title

United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Ireland

Individual

As Webley has noted, empirical legal research usually involves ‘observing’ (or ‘getting a feel for’ the object of study), in-depth interviews with relevant actors, and document analysis. Drawing on the research framework and questions, the data collection involved a number of stages. The first phase involved a literature review of legal, academic and policy materials relevant to our research questions. In preparation for the semi-structured interviews we compiled a ‘wish list’ of potential interviewees (many of whom are known to the team). This was crosschecked and added to in the course of consultation. In making our final selection, a ‘purposeful sampling’ methodology was deployed where interviewees were chosen based on a range of professional, policy and political experiences to include a cross section of 20 national and international policymakers, politicians, legal academics, judicial figures and NGO activists using a bespoke research instrument developed by the team. One academic and one NGO representative will be in attendance at each interview. Those interviewed were selected based on a range of criteria including professional seniority; experience of working on our project themes; experience of having represented specific political constituencies; knowledge and experience of debates within relevant professional groupings; direct involvement in the relevant political negotiations and/or the design and implementation of policy. The data also included transcriptions of audio recordings of townhall meetings held by the project in the following locations: Belfast (2), Derry/Londonderry, Dungannon, Newry, Enniskillen. At these meetings, representatives from the project discussed the work completed to date and asked for audience question, thoughts about the (potential) impacts of Brexit for Northern Ireland, and any opportunities that may be presented. Both the interviews and townhall meetings were audio recorded and transcribed at a later date by one of 2 PhD students hired to complete the transcription. The qualitative data generated by interviews, field-notes, and townhall meetings was coded and analysed using NVivo software. Analysis of the qualitative data both informed and was informed by the policy papers.