CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
3.9 Ethical consideration
the participants, as well as the original data, were correctly interpreted and was reflective of the participants’ original views, as presented to the researcher (Graneheim & Lundman, 2004).
3.8.3 Dependability
Dependability aims to ensure the reliability and repeatability of research is consistent (Cohen &
Crabtree, 2008). This study provides detailed research collection and analysis methods and procedures, and how they were used, in order to assist in the replication or repeatability of the study.
3.8.4 Triangulation
Triangulation refers to a “qualitative research strategy to test validity through the convergence of information from different sources” (Carter, 2014). In support, (Patton, 1999) defined triangulation as the use of multiple methods or/and data sources in qualitative research to develop comprehensive understanding of phenomenon under study. In this study, triangulation was used as qualitative validation strategy, where data from interviews and the document study were used to understand the levels and usage of DCT and teacher usage of technology in selected schools in Limpopo Province. This study achieved three of the four triangulation methods identified by Patton (1999), namely, method, theory and data triangulation.
3.9 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
In conducting a study, “it is important for the researcher to bear certain ethical considerations in mind” (Flick, 2011). In support, (Creswell, 2007) argued that, in order to gain the right of entry into any field of research, such entry should be authorised by the management office. This entailed applying for ethical clearance from the University of Limpopo before conducting the research. “Social research and other forms of research which study people and their
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relationships to each other and to the world, need to be particularly sensitive about ethics”
(Walliman, 2005). The following areas received the researcher’s attention before embarking on this study: seeking permission from the University of Limpopo to undertake the study and applying for ethical clearance to do the study; obtaining permission to undertake the study from the Limpopo Department of Education, the Capricorn District, and the four schools; and, obtaining informed consent from the research participants. Moreover, the research participants signed an informed consent form. Other areas addressed included voluntary participation in the research, research integrity and protection from harm. The identified ethical measures were taken into consideration during the entire process of the study.
3.9.1 Permission
Permission to conduct the study was requested from the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Limpopo. Permission was also being requested from the Limpopo Department of Education and the circuit office to conduct the study in secondary schools in Capricorn District of the Limpopo Province.
3.9.2 Informed consent
A respondent voluntarily agrees to participate in a research study when he or she has full understanding of the study before the study begins (Brink, Van der Walt & Van Rensburg, 2011). The researcher ensured informed consent by explaining to the respondents what is going to be investigated, the expected duration of the respondent’s involvement, the procedures that were to be followed during the investigation, the possible advantages, disadvantages and dangers to which respondents may be exposed (Brink et al., 2011; De Vos et al., 2011). The researcher informed the respondents that the information shared between them and the researcher would not be shared with anyone who was not involved in the study. The
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respondents were informed that they had the liberty to withdraw from the study at any time, without being penalised (De Vos, 2011).
The respondents signed a consent form as evidence of granting the researcher permission to include them in the study. The researcher ensured that the signed consent forms were treated with utmost discretion and stored away in a correct manner, so that a particular form could easily be found, if the need arose (De Vos, 2011). The researcher explained to the participants what data collection methods would be used, namely, interviews and document study (Brink et al., 2011).
3.9.3 Voluntary participation
Trochim (2000) stated that the principle of voluntary participation requires that people should not be coerced into participating in research. Participants should be informed that their participation is highly valued in the study and is on voluntary basis. There should be no stipend for their participation and that they have the right to participate up to the extent they wish to participate, without any form of penalty or offence. Participants were informed that they had the right to withdraw from the study at any time and that they would not be penalised in any way for withdrawing from participation in the study.
3.9.4 Research Integrity, Confidentiality and Anonymity
Integrity: The researcher strived to maintain integrity when carrying out the research project.
The researcher explained to the participants that the information gathered would remain confidential between the researcher and the individuals who formed part of the study. The researcher assured the participants that their names would not appear anywhere in the study.
Roberts, Hammond, Warner & Lewis (2005) highlighted the notion that research ethics and
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integrity practices ensure that research is conducted according to the highest standards of practice, with the minimal risk of harmful outcomes or consequences.
Confidentiality: Brink, Van der Walt & Van Rensburg (2011) defined confidentiality information about the respondents, from being made available to anyone who is not part of the study, by keeping the completed consent forms under lock and key. The researcher instructed the respondents not to write their surnames on the consent form, but to write only their first names on the form. The researcher ensured that the names of the respondents were be used on the interview question papers, instead codes were used to trace respondents in the case of an entry error. The respondents were informed that they had the right to withdraw from the research investigation at any point if they wished to do so. Brink et al., (2010) highlighted the notion that the respondents have the right to refuse to answer any question asked of them, and to have the confidentiality of their data protected.
Anonymity was ensured by keeping the respondents’ identity unknown. The respondents were informed not to write their names on the interview questionnaires. The respondents were assured that neither their names nor their school’s name would appear on the research report, in order to avoid revealing the identity of any of the participants. The researcher informed the respondents that the collected data would be entered into a computer using codes. Codes were used during data analysis.