An important aspect of this study was the respect and consideration the researcher showed to the people who participated in the study. They were seen as indispensable and worthy partners in this study. The researcher recognized and ensured that respect, protection and promotion of their
rights were considered at all levels of research .. The following ethical considerations were discussed with the interviewees before the research was begun.
4.7.1. Informed Consent
This refers to the procedure by which research subjects chose whether or not they wished to participate in the study. This was done to protect the participants, not just the researcher or the institution. The following elements were dealt with:
4.7.1.1. Capacity
The researchcr selected subjects who were capable of providing the kind of information needed for the study. This means that the subjects were people who were able to decide whether they wanted to participate, adults who are physically, socially, psychologically and mentally functioning well.
4.7.1.2. Information
This researcher ensured that the subjects were told. and they understood the purpose of the study and their roles as subjects. This briefing was given verbally and in writing in a manner and language that participants know and understand. This included the goal and objective of the research, name and address of researcher, the institution, and name and contact details of the supervisor. The subjects were also informed of the method that had been used for their selection.
The informed consent form that provided this information was si6'l1ed by both the participant and the researcher before the interviews started.
4.7.1.3. Voluntariness
Subjects were informed that it was of their choice to participate in the study; that is they would be doing this on their own free will and about their right to decline participation outright, or withdraw consent given at any stage of the research, without undesirable consequences, penalty and any other unacceptable reaction. They were also informed that they were free to object to and refuse permission to the use of data gathering devices; a tape recorder in the case of this study. There was no element of force, fraud, deceit like promising unrealistic benefits, duress or coercion to get subjects to participate. The researcher also ensured that she did not exploit the subjects by having too long sessions. Each session was about 40 minutes.
4.7.4. Harm
The researcher ensured that her subjects were protec[t:d from any kind of harm. As mentioned above, the true purpose of the study was explained to them. She also avoided questions that caused embarrassment or emotional turmoil by reminding them of unpleasant experiences, causing guilt, or invading their privacy. The participants were informed of their right not to respond to questions of this nature. The researcher tried to maintain the dignity of the subjects at all times. As Bailey (1997) recommends, the researcher also did not invoke her own values to label her respondents as "bad" and the goals of the research as "good" in order to justify any potential hann that might come to the "bad" subject because of the study.
4.7.2. Anonymity and confidentiality
Information on the extent of anonymity and confidentiality were provided to the participants.
This included the firm commitment that the fact that they participated in the study and the
infonnation given to the researcher would not be linked to them. By doing this, the researcher would be maintaining anonymity and confidentiality. They were infonned that the infonnation would be used in the study and would also be published, but it would be done in a way that ensures the individual's anonymity. Pseudonyms would be used to hide their identity. They were also told that if there would be any need in future tor the data to be released; this would not be done without their consent. The researcher respected their right to privacy and confidentiality when the participants and their clients were not willing to be observed in a session.
4.7.3. Deception
The researcher ensured that she does not misrepresent the facts related to the purpose of the study, nature or consequences of the study. She also did not omit important facts related this information. Before subjects gave consent, she made it a point that they were well informed about the study. When analysing data the researcher ensured that subjects were not misrepresented as this would mean that the participants had not fully consented to the study.
4.8. Summary
The purpose of this chapter is to give an in-depth discussion of the research methodology that was used to collect and analyse data as well ethical issues that were dealt with before, during and after the interviews. To indicate that the planned methods were followed, the next chapter will look at the profiles of the participants to see whether they were suitable candidates for the study.
The last chapter will focus on interpretation of results, limitations of the study and recommendations f()r future research.
CHAPTER FIVE RESULTS