Research Methodology

Abstract

This chapter includes a description of the methodological choices for the empirical study conducted to test the hypotheses. It is divided into five parts: First, the underlying research orientation is described, which elucidates the philosophical and methodological foundations of this study. Second, the research design is described, which includes the reasoning for choosing a longitudinal design, and the resulting choices for data collection, sampling and time frame. The theoretical reasoning is followed by a description of the concrete empirical setting, the European insurance industry from 1995 to 2004. Third, the measures and operationalizations for the study are described. Fourth, an overview of the final sample is provided, which is determined by the results of the event coding and measurement of the change rhythm. Fifth, the chapter is concluded by a description of the statistical data analysis methods that were used in the research, and an evaluation of the reliability and validity of the measures of this study.