Chapter 3: Research design and methodology
3.4 Data collection methods and fieldwork practice
A number of methodologies were employed for data collection in the context of this study namely:
o PRA activities o Focus groups
11 The livelihood strategies and activities of both sample groups will be discussed in greater length in Chapter 4
o Observation
3.4.1 PRA activities
The participatory nature of the PRA tools utilised not only produces comprehensive data but allows the participation of participants who might not necessarily be literate.
Furthermore, PRA acknowledges the subjects as experts;
A principal starting point ofPRA is that people know best their own personal, social and environmental reality. PRA attempts to elicit the knowledge and views of local people anywhere for the purpose of their development though their empowerment in conceptualising, planning, formulating, implementing and evaluating developmental actions or projects ... These [methods] allow people, literate or not, to express their own perceptions and thinking to engage in a process around issues of concern to them (Redd Barna Regional Office Africa 1993, p.16).
In addition, the informal nature of PRA activities allowed participants to feel relaxed and engage in a dialogue about the data they were producing. The tools selected were identified on their strengths of obtaining information on livelihood strategies and the factors that pose risk to these strategies. The tools were;
o Activity clock - a drawing to indicate the activities that the participants engage in during the course of 24 hours. The activity clock easily identifies different tasks that participants engage in such as livelihood strategies.
o Mobility map - the outcome of an exercise using drawings to highlight the movements of the participants used to establish a sense of routines. This PRA tool provides geographic information for the activities identified in the activity clocks. Places of social interaction and resource are also noted on the maps.
Further distinction is given on the maps as to which of these interactions and places of resource pose risk to their livelihoods.
3.4.2 Focus groups
Focus groups were used both to validate the data and discuss if there were any gaps in the data collectedJ2. Folch-Lyon and Trost (1981) tell us that because of the informal nature of interactive discussion within focus groups, participants are less on guard to personal disclosure. Because of the group dynamic and often lively dialogue, a focus group with 10 participants yields much more information than 10 individual
interviews. Moreover, "even though such a permissive atmosphere may seem to distort the information obtained, group pressure acts as a deterrent to possible exaggeration" (Folch-Lyon & Trost 1981, p.445).
3.4.3 Observation
Observation was a key element of the study and observations were recorded in journal form throughout the research process. The type of observation used can be
conceptualised as 'participant' observation which is mainly descriptive, largely informal and is flexible on information collected (Gillham 2000). The research was conducted with Zulu speaking research assistants who were asked to keep a journal of their observations. This information was used to triangulate both the data collected and my own thoughts and observations.
3.4.4 Dates and settings of data gathering
The data was collected over a three week period during July and August 2006;
although there had been a number of weeks of preparation beforehand, mainly spent relationship building and observing the sample groups. The data collection was conducted with individual sample groups on the same day of the week, for three weeks, to promote routine and thus encourage attendance (Umgeni Corner - Tuesday;
Mayville Street - Wednesday). The schedule was as follows;
o Week 1 - Activity clocks o Week 2 - Mapping o Week 3 - Focus Groups
12 The focus groups were also used as part of a participatory data analysis discussed in section 3.5
During discussions about a possible venue with the research assistants it was highlighted that the children and youth really enjoy trips away from their daily surroundings. Moreover, it would have been problematic to both conduct the PRA activities on the street, and for the participants not to be distracted by the busyness of their surroundings. Being that one of the core premises of this study was participation a venue was suggested, but not decided upon until it had been discussed with the groups. It was proposed to both sample groups that we could use a multi-purpose room at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Both groups were very excited about the prospect of going to the University and so the venue was agreed.
The order of events for each data collection session at the University had a similar schedule. On arrival to the venue the group were given some fruit and a sandwich to eat. Shortly after eating, group games were played. These games encouraged
interaction and added a fun aspect to the research process. Following the games, participants were settled and the data collection activities commenced. The session concluded with a substantial lunch before the participants were taken back to their home on the streets.
3.4.5 Data collection process
During week 1 of data collection we were looking for information on a random day and so participants were asked to think about what they did the previous day. Without trying to pre-empt the results, a brief example was given of an activity clock as the concept was totally new to participants. For this task, participants were asked to work individually, unless the children specifically requested to work in groups. The
information for a random day was consolidated from the groups' activity clocks which were produced on the 11 th July 2006 (Umgeni Comer) and lih July 2006 (Mayville Street). My observations are also included and were noted in journal entries dated 11th and 1
i
h July 2006. Times are approximate and are used to highlight an order of events rather than specific time scales.Week 2 of data collection focussed on mapping with the participants. Once again, because of the new nature of PRA, the participants were given a brief example of a mobility map. Ideally, mapping is supposed to be performed as a group activity
drawing on the collective knowledge of participants, however, a number of participants expressed the desire to work individually. Due to the sensitive and personal nature of some of the data this request was granted without contestation.
Participants were first asked to draw a general geographic map of their home space and surrounding areas with a black pen noting general patterns of mobility.
Subsequent to the basic mobility map, participants were asked to mark with a blue pen the places of resource that they utilise. Finally, participants were asked to mark hazards and threats on their map with a red pen. The maps were produced on 18th July 2006 (Umgeni Comer) and 19th July 2006 (Mayville Street).
Although a substantial amount of facilitation was needed during the activities, many of the participants were able to work independently and diligently. After the data had been initially consolidated with the research assistants, focus groups were conducted with participants to discuss the data and make any additions that participants felt were mIssmg.
3.4.6 Ethical considerations
The ethical considerations of this study were not just an academic requirement but a human requirement, owing to the vulnerable situation of many of the participants.
To protect the autonomy of respondents and to prevent social stigmatisation and / or secondary victimisation of respondents I changed their names. The respondents were asked to sign a consent form explained to them by the research assistants in their home language of Zulu. The consent form included a research agreement entered into between myself (the researcher) and the respondents which included the following;
o The names of respondents will not be disclosed and pseudonyms will be used where appropriate.
o All the information will be treated confidentially.
o The respondents are free to withdraw from the research at any time.
o Food will be provided as the research is taking valuable time otherwise used for securing food.
Throughout the study I submitted to the supervision ofYFC who acted in loco parentis.