Page 6 - Jennifer Mooney

RESEARCH Chapter 2: Research

Research Methodology

Data Collection Methodology

Introduction
Literature Review Mixed-Method Design

The methodology will begin by exploring the landscape of pet adoption in Ireland with current statistics Examined current statistics, trends, Focusing on motivations, barriers,
and processes other literature reviews. The research mainly focuses on the driving motivations and competitors, demographics, and and experiences in pet adoption.
barriers to adoption, the roles of various animal welfare organisations, and the broader community. The stakeholders of pet adoption.
researcher took the qualitative research method approach and used the double-diamond design method
to conduct her thesis. The qualitative research method included conducting interviews and/or surveys
with both the animal organisations and individual pet owners. The interview questions consist of two Quantitative Data Qualitative Data
versions, one for animal organisation staff members, the other for individuals who either have adopted Existing statistics from the Irish Semi-structured interviews and

or want to adopt. This process gives insight into both perspectives, without any one-sided bias. In doing Examiner, Petmania, and many online surveys for pet adopters and
animal welfare organisations. the other for animal organisations.
so, she aims to approach pet adoption issues with sensitivity and openness, using methodologies that
give a voice to many different perspectives and experiences.

Ethical Considerations Rationale

Methodology Overview Signed participant consent, To understand the dynamics of pet
confidentiality, and informed adoption and the challenges faced
The primary objective of this research was to understand the motivations and barriers surrounding pet participation throughout research. by pet owners and animal shelters.
Data Collection Methodology
adoption in Ireland. The initial phase of research involved a comprehensive literature review of the pet
adoption landscape in Ireland. This included recent statistics on pet ownership, shelter capacities, and
Literature Review
animal welfare issues sourced from reports by the Irish Examiner, Department of Rural and Community Mixed-Method Design
Examined current statistics, trends,
Development, government reports, ISPCA, Dog’s Trust, DSPCA, and various other animal welfare Focusing on motivations, barriers,
organisations. competitors, demographics, and and experiences in pet adoption.
stakeholders of pet adoption.

The research data collection process involved market analysis and examination of the pet training

industry to identify current trends and challenges associated with dog training apps. Various data
Quantitative Data
sources, including market reports from sources such as Market Research Store and the Global Pet Qualitative Data
Existing statistics from the Irish
Industry, academic journals, and expert publications such as the Veterinary Ireland Journal were some Semi-structured interviews and
Examiner, Petmania, and many online surveys for pet adopters and
main research sources used to gather comprehensive insights into the dog training apps market.
animal welfare organisations. the other for animal organisations.

A mixed-methods approach was initially employed, by combining quantitative data collection through
surveys and qualitative data collection through interviews, but unfortunately due to strict time constraints
Ethical Considerations
surrounding this project, difficulties finding time to find and meet current or potential pet adopters in Rationale
Signed participant consent,
person, and lack of voluntary interview participation from animal rescue organisations, no interviews were To understand the dynamics of pet
confidentiality, and informed
conducted. This will require the researcher to heavily rely on secondary data collection and quantitative adoption and the challenges faced
participation throughout research. by pet owners and animal shelters.
data through survey responses.