Denzin and Lincoln contend that “… qualitative research is defined by a series of tensions and contradictions ...” (2003:570 ). Undertaking this research presented its own set of tensions and challenges from within my subjectivities as well as from external constructs:
“All research is presented with ethical issues” (ibid: 361). Whilst I did not encounter challenges associated with participative research methodology, I am aware that the
constructs of my methodology could have been located in a biased discourse. As indicated in the introductory chapter this research served to test (and validate) my initial hypothesis that support groups were not accorded the level of import by the state in order for them to deliver effectively on their transformative agendas. The time constraints I experienced as researcher (together with commitments of my multiple roles (Mouton 1996: 3), as well as that of support groups, mitigated against the solicitation and obtaining of broader information. Time constraints also resulted in delays in this research. Public response to questionnaires was another challenge encountered in this research. In most cases, long periods followed distribution or handing out of questionnaires to members of the public. Most of the questionnaires were not returned to me; often new copies of questionnaires were handed to the same individuals for ‘snowball’ distribution and were not returned to me. In many instances would-be respondents would promise the return of questionnaires, and despite many enquiries from me, did not return them. The language employed in the questionnaires may have excluded or limited participation from respondents. Contradictory responses, and also the lack of responses to certain questions in the questionnaires, support the assumption that language may have limited participation. Furthermore, responses to some questions seemed to indicate a lack of understanding in those instances. A further challenge experienced was that of responses from the different groups. Responses to my initial requests ranged from positive reception to explicit hostility. Whilst personnel from some groups expressed joy, satisfaction and relief at the research, some were openly hostile and not appreciative of my request and research itself. One director informed me that her centre would not be able to help me, whilst at another centre I was informed that they were sceptical of assisting me as I was furthering my studies possibly for a career promotion while they would not be receiving anything in return. The overall responses from centres resulted in delays in obtaining information. The lack of specific details in the information obtained from the police services as well as the support groups impeded the clearer identification of and analyses of relationships between variables such as socio-economic status and education. The limited reach of this research also posed a challenge to obtaining information. While attempts were made to reach a broad range of participants as possible, it was not possible to physically visit different areas and solicit information.
Personal internal dynamics of the support groups impeded the obtaining of further information from clients of all the groups. Schedules and restructuring at some groups
resulted in long delays in responses to my request and often I had to make multiple enquiries and resubmit my request. Finally, the dynamics underpinning this research impacted on the information obtained. That this was a research undertaken for private academic purposes, meant that there was no compulsion from any party to provide information. Whilst I am appreciative of the information and responses provided, it is my opinion that responses and information given to me in many cases, were subject to what other individuals and groups perceived to be acceptable. The non-response and participation of some groups and parties such as the radio stations, also support my opinion.
Requests to radio stations
Discourse around this issue is undertaken here not just to illustrate the challenges experienced in wider participation but more importantly to confirm an initial assumption of mine about public mainstream attitude towards gender issues in general and of support groups for women in particular.
Despite numerous requests made telephonically and electronically, I was not able to have my request broadcast over radio. My request to the ‘first’ radio station did not yield any response. After following electronic requests with telephonic requests, I was informed that there was no one available to field my call and also that it was not known who would be able to attend to my request. Requests to the ‘second’ radio station yielded some responses, both electronically and telephonically. I was contacted by personnel from the station and informed that my request had been forwarded to the relevant authority to decide upon as such a request had not been received by them previously. Despite the same response being given to me many times (after my following up and also lodging my request directly with the authority in question) I have not been informed of the relevant manager’s decision, neither have I received any response to my direct request to the manager in question. I was informed in an initial response that my request could be aired at the cost of radio advertisements (about R5000-00 - R10000-00), depending on the aired time. I was unable to accept that offer.
While I am not an active listener of the first radio station, my limited interaction with it and the personnel (regarding my request) resulted in an impression of disorganisation at the station. That prevented further interaction with the said station which in turn impeded my being able to formulate a more informed attitude and opinion towards it, especially of its attitude towards the subject of my research.
Whether the blasé and disorganised image was a strategy, is subject to opinion.
My interaction with the ‘second’ radio station has provided me with opportunity to make more informed assumptions about it. Listening in to it on a weekly basis enables me to have (some) overview of its aired contents and thereby to hypothesise about its assumed ethos and stance towards the subject of my research. I believe that the radio station adopts a very ‘safe, middle-ground’ stance as a public medium, it does not offer or encourage any challenging or critical dialogue on issues, but merely reports on the latter. I believe that it attempts at times to project a more critical stance and serve the functions of moral watchdog and purveyor of social justice, but these, which are undertaken in isolated contexts, are aligned to broader national events. To me these acts appear to be marketing strategies and public relations initiatives, rather than acts driven by an ethos of developed social awareness and commitment. An example of this was the radio’s stance during the UN’s Conference on Climate Change held during the latter part of 2011 at the International Convention Centre in Durban. For the duration of the conference (28 November – 9 December 2011) the station seemed to adopt a progressive stance on climate change and environmental issues, but after the conference, that stance does not seem to have been sustained. I believe that the stance adopted by the station at the time was done so out of a ‘need to be seen to be politically correct.’ In my opinion, genuine commitment towards issues would see sustained initiatives, rather than flitting actions which only coincide with broader national events. I believe therefore that the radio station does not perceive gender and women’s issues as important, hence its disregard for my request. It further reflects a lack of social commitment to broader socio-political and economic issues, specifically in relation to gender issues. My opinion is supported by Ramphele’s assertion that:
“The media plays a significant role in shaping public opinion that impacts on social relationships over time” (2008:101). She cites a study by the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) which ‘revealed that the South African media have not yet transformed themselves to promote gender equality as entrenched in the constitution’
(ibid). I am of the opinion therefore that the particular radio station with its claim of a large listenership in the province of KwaZulu Natal, validates SANEF’s findings.