# Underlying Factors and Strategies for Organizational BIM Capabilities: The Case of Iran
## 3 Research Methodology
### Data Collection  
In this study, the target population includes all BIM professionals. In this study, BIM professionals mean individuals with knowledge and experience using BIM. Due to the lack of a sampling frame, the sampling method used was a non-probability sampling method [91]. Non-probability sampling can be used to create a representative sample [92]. It is appropriate when a random sampling method cannot be used; hence, survey respondents might be selected based on their desire to participate [93]. Thus, a snowball sampling method was employed in this study because it allows for data collection and distribution through referrals or social networks [94]. It has also been used in earlier construction management work [11; 16].  
In order to determine the first respondent, BIM professionals who have been participating in the construction industry were approached. Then, the link to the questionnaire survey was shared with them. Afterward, they were requested to share information about other industry professionals that they deemed relevant for this study based on industrial or academic experience. Two follow-up emails were sent to the target populations two weeks after the first contact to increase the number of respondents. Finally, a total of 126 valid responses were obtained.  
Table 3 illustrates the demographic background of the respondents in terms of their experience in the construction industry and BIM. Most of the respondents have two or more years of experience in the construction industry. Among all the respondents, 60 respondents have 2-5 years of experience, 25 respondents have 6-9 years of experience, and 15 respondents have more than ten years of experience, respectively. This shows that the respondents for the questionnaire survey have great experience in the construction industry. In terms of experience with BIM, 62.7% of the respondents have used BIM in 1 to 5 projects, 16.7% of the respondents have used BIM technology in 6 to 10 projects, and 20.6 % have used BIM in more than 10 projects. As BIM is a relatively recent technology in the construction industry, the respondent's background satisfies this survey.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c} \hline \hline
**Characteristics** & **Categories** & **Frequency** & **Percentage (\%)** \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Years of experience in the construction industry} & Less than 2 years & 26 & 20.6 \\ \cline{2-4}  & 2–5 years & 60 & 47.6 \\ \cline{2-4}  & 6–9 years & 25 & 19.8 \\ \cline{2-4}  & 10 years and above & 15 & 11.9 \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Type of organization} & Clients & 13 & 10.3 \\ \cline{2-4}  & Contractors & 29 & 23.0 \\ \cline{2-4}  & Consultants & 63 & 50.0 \\ \cline{2-4}  & Others & 21 & 16.7 \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Types of projects that used BIM} & Infrastructure construction & 11 & 8.7 \\ \cline{2-4}  & Building construction & 42 & 33.3 \\ \cline{1-1}  & (residential) & & \\ \cline{1-1} \cline{2-4}  & Building construction & 52 & 41.3 \\ \cline{1-1} \cline{2-4}  & (non-residential) & 17 & 13.5 \\ \cline{1-1} \cline{2-4}  & Others & 4 & 3.2 \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Number of BIM projects involved} & 1 to 5 projects & 79 & 62.7 \\ \cline{1-1} \cline{2-4}  & 6 to 10 projects & 21 & 16.7 \\ \cline{1-1} \cline{2-4}  & More than 10 projects & 26 & 20.6 \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 3: Respondent’s profile.