The selection of the mixed methods approach also has an impact upon reliability and validity and this is dependent upon the type of data which is collected and analysed (Cresswell and Cresswell 2018; Neuman 2013). The issue of validity in greater in the collection and evaluation of qualitative data due to it being context-specific; whilst the use of quantitative data supports higher levels of validity as this data can be replicated in future research (Saunders et al 2016; Bryman and Bell 2015).
3.8 Research ethics
Research ethics need to consider what is being researched and how the data is being collected and to ensure that this process does not create any harm for any of the research participants, including any those who may be providing primary data; the researcher and the university (Cresswell and Cresswell 2018; Saunders et al 2016; Bryman and Bell 2015; Resnik 2015). Research ethics often follows an established code of conduct and includes the addressing of potential ethical concerns such as informed consent; data confidentiality and anonymity and the right of research participants to withdraw from the process (Cresswell and Cresswell 2018; Jankowicz 2005; Lee-Treweek and Linkogle 2000). Whilst these ethical issues are particularly important in the collection and analysis of primary data, there is also a need to evaluate these in the collection and analysis of secondary data which has been undertaken for this piece of research (Saunders et al 2016; Bryman and Bell 2015). It is therefore incumbent upon the researcher to ensure that the secondary data collected and analysed for this piece of research is presented in an accurate and fair manner and also includes the original source of this data in the reference list. In addition, the original secondary data can also be provided in the appendices to support further verification, if required (Collis and Hussey 2014).
Chapter 4: Results and Findings
The literature review for the results and findings chapter was based upon the following key search terms: ‘Circular Economy’; ‘Sustainability’ and ‘Circular Economy and Sustainability’. Due to the longevity of sustainability and its broader approach, the majority of articles were related to the issue of sustainability, followed by circular economy and the lowest number related to articles which included both ‘circular economy and sustainability’. However, there is also evidence that there is a growing number of articles on the Circular Economy as this process is being increasing supported by national governments and being implemented by large businesses such as Google (Geissdoerfer et al 2017; Ellen MacArthur Foundation 2017a; Pauli 2017). This increase in the number of articles may also relate to the increased level of interest in the Circular Economy as a potential solution or approach to implement higher levels of sustainability within an organisation which thus requires an increased level of understanding as regards its concept and application.
4.1 Objective 1: To examine the similarities and differences between sustainability and the Circular Economy.
4.1.1 Similarities between Sustainability and the Circular Economy
This objective undertook a literature review of academic sources to evaluate a number of similarities between the concepts of sustainability and
