Al-khober is a massive urban city in the Eastern frontier of Saudi Arabia. The city’s is located along the Persian Gulf coast line. Such attributes make this city a hub of commercial activities in this nation and also in the larger Middle East region. The city has a population of about half a million. The city is part of the larger Dammam metropolitan region.
The surrounding area provides adequate support for the city robust commercial activities. The city seems to serve as an opening to the eastern frontier of this nation owing to its strategic location. The key reason that made me opt to undertake my research in this city is that it is my hometown. As such, I will be at ease when undertaking my research. Additionally, am well versed with the city and all activities undertaken.
Al-khober, a coast town attracts many tourists owing to its weather, beaches, culture and hotels. Therefore, tourism seems is a key activity. There are numerous modern hotels that host guests form various nations. Tourism requires infrastructural support such as roads and airports. The King Fahd International Airport is about fifty kilometres form this town and provides easy access to this urban centre.
Furthermore, the Dammam highway provides access by road into this town. Initially, the town began as trading centre for merchants. The town has not lost this aspect. Al-khober is a preferred location for various multinational entities in the manufacturing and mining sector.
This city is characterised by large shopping complexes that serve the tourists and residents. Overall, this town is a business hub where many of the local residents have invested. Among the investors are women who are key in this research.
Challenges experienced in gathering data
In undertaking my research, I experienced numerous challenges. First, many of the respondents were unwilling to participate in the research. In the research design, interviews was one of the means of amassing data. Moreover, the research was also to utilize phone calls and emails. Despite the elaborate data collection methods, the research was hindered by lack of cooperation.
During face-to-face interviews, the respondents were reluctant to provide accurate details. They felt that the researcher would utilize the information for selfish purposes. Additionally, other respondents were unwilling to share information since they seemed not to trust the interviewer. They had reservations about the interviewee’s real agenda. Hence, the details provided were not precise, but based on generalizations.
The above research requires precise data. Precise information will enable the researcher make accurate inferences. Generalized responses contain many assumptions that may jeopardise the research. During the research, many emails were sent. The emails contained queries that interviewees should answer.
Nonetheless, many of the participants failed to reply to the emails. The means that a large proportion of the target population was unwilling to participate in the research due to varying reasons such as lack of time and laziness. Due to the above events, the creativity was required. Visiting some of the entrepreneurs that were unwilling to reply to emails and text messages had significant success.
Some of the businesswomen accepted to undertake the interviews. Nonetheless, some of the respondents were still unwilling to participate in a face-to-face interview. In lights of the above details, the researcher should utilize diverse methods of amassing data if the nature of the research permits.