The researcher conducted informal visits to the selected co-operatives for introductions of the research topic and to confirm members’ consent. The aim was to win the trust of the co-operative members through visiting with people that are well known in the co- operatives such as extension officers. However, only one extension officer could be reached and was available to introduce the researcher to members of Inyamvubu co- operative. Baseline information was collected during the informal visits. One of the questions that can be directed to any researcher who collected information from people could be whether the methods of data collection obtained a true reflection of the participants’ opinions (de Vos, 1998). To improve the truthfulness and the reliability of results, different measuring instruments were used for this study; observation methods, focus group discussions with Force Field Analysis (FFA) and survey interviews were employed as the data collection techniques.
5.2.1 Focus groups
Detailed data was collected from the focus group discussions with members of the co- operatives. Brierty (1999) stated that focus group discussions are one way of extracting a small sample and obtaining feedback. The thought of one participant in the focus group discussion triggers thoughts of other participants, and extensive feedback can be obtained from focus group discussions (Dummon & Ensor, 2001). All members that were available during this study participated in the focus group discussion (53 from
Inyamvubu, 6 from Umphumela and 6 from Ingwe-Mndeni co-operative). Inyamvubu co-operative consisted of the largest group of members and therefore having a single focus group discussion with all members at once was not feasible as it could limit each participant’s opportunity to share experiences (Snape & Spencer, 2000). Therefore, members were divided into groups of youngsters, adult females, adult males and a group of committee members in this co-operative. The divisions were created in order to avoid possible intimidation that could occur among members that belonged to different distinguishing groups (Babie & Mouton, 2001). In Ingwe-Mndeni and Umphumela co- operative, only one focus group discussion was held with each group. Figure 5.1 shows the researcher in group discussion with members of Ingwe- Mndeni co-operative.
Figure 5.1 The researcher and some members of Ingwe-Mndeni co-operative, 2007.
Force field analysis was applied during the focus group discussions. Iowa State University Extension (ISUE, 2001) described the FFA as a useful tool to identify, discuss and evaluate forces that have an impact on a situation or a proposed change. Identified forces should be in favour of or against the situation or the proposed change. For instance, a FFA is useful when attempting to obtain a broader understanding of pros and cons of a particular situation or a proposed change (ISUE, 2001). In a case of advantages and disadvantages of collective farming, according to ISUE (2001), advantages are forces in favour of collective action and disadvantages are forces against collective farming.
The researcher allowed the participants to brainstorm and define the pros and cons of agricultural co-operatives. Once the lists of both advantages and disadvantages had been refined, the researcher asked the participants to assign scores to each force from one (weak) to five (strong). The participants assigned scores relative to how they perceived each point to have an influence in their respective co-operatives. The question on pros and cons of collective farming was repeated during the survey interviews in order to ensure that responses from the individuals’ point of view were obtained. The assigned scores to each given advantage and disadvantage were then added to establish whether pros outweigh cons of collective farming or vice versa. The researcher discussed the probability of strengthening the positive forces (pros) and minimising the negative forces (cons) with the participants. At the end, all discussed pros and cons of collective farming were clear, sound and explainable. An example of the FFA used is shown in Figure 5.2.
PROS SCORE SCORE CONS
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Figure 5.2 Force Field Analysis for the pros and cons of collective farming in the three co- operatives (ISUE, 2001).
To expand on pros and cons of collective farming, focus group discussions were held with non-members of co-operatives from the three different communities in which the co- operatives were found. Although the information obtained from the focus groups was descriptive and useful, other data collection techniques had to be applied. The observation method used by the researcher during the study period largely complemented the focus group discussions and the other methods used.
Collective farming
5.2.2 Survey interviews
The fundamental aim for the survey was to gain further, more detailed information to address the sub-problems from individual members. One-on-one survey interviews were carried out with co-operative members in order to avoid domination of certain individuals in focus group discussions, and, to allow individuals to express themselves and give honest responses without being intimidated by others (de Vos, 1998). While the questionnaires were designed in English, all the interviews were conducted in isiZulu, the local language of the areas. The initial sampling plan for the survey was to interview all members of the co-operatives in all three co-operatives. However, due to the absence of members, 64% of the total members were interviewed.