4. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
4.5 Primary data collection methods
4.5.2 Interviews
The reason for undertaking interviews, as Cloke et al., (2004) state, is that this method aids the researcher to gain access to the people’s experiences and the meanings attached to those experiences. Also another reason for adopting this interview method was because the questionnaires did not provide detailed information and fundamental explanations (Cloke et al., 2004). As stated earlier, questionnaires are very limiting in that they are mainly structured according with closed-ended questions forcing the respondents to choose from the options given, therefore restricting their responses (Valentine, 2005). However, the interview process allows for richly laden data that are meaningful for the researcher and the researched (Valentine, 2005). The questions in the interview process were structured on the same basis as the questions in the questionnaire (refer to Section 4.5.1). This interview process allowed the respondents to present their answers with very little limitations. The interviews allow personal and unique data to be gathered from individual responses (Cloke
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et al., 2004). Therefore this allows the interviewer to ‘interpret’ the data as mentioned earlier (Flowerdew and Martin, 1997).
One way of interpreting data was through recording and then transcribing some of the interviews. The reason for tape-recording some of the interviews, was to ensure that a detailed interview process was undertaken (Cloke et al., 2004). Recordings ensure that the researcher accurately records the interview(s)/discussion(s) (Cloke et al., 2004).
Recordings allow for ‘play-back’ of the interviews (Cloke et al., 2004). Also during each recorded interview, separate handwritten notes were taken in order for the researcher to listen more carefully to each respondent’s response and the transcribing of the recordings was done on a later stage (Cloke et al., 2004). Each of the recordings was of good quality since these recorded interviews were done in the offices of the municipal representative and the non-governmental organization. Each of the recordings were transcribed as soon as possible after the interviews in order to make reference to the researcher’s handwritten and personal notes, therefore leaving no room for lost data (Valentine, 2005). In-depth interviews were also conducted with two stakeholders, namely, a municipal representative and a non-governmental representative. However, the residents’ in formal housing interviews were not tape-recorded, since all the residents were uncomfortable with the idea and therefore handwritten notes were taken. Many of the residents were scared that the recordings of their interviews may land in the hands of individuals, namely the residents in informal housing, with negative consequences for them (the interviewees). Due to this factor, the researcher developed an adept and fast method of recording the interviews, in order to limit the loss of important information. Initially this proved to be difficult because the researcher had to write down an enormous amount of information. However, as more interviews were conducted it proved to be less difficult. Conducting the research without the tape-recorder allowed for a relaxed and trusted relationship between the researcher and the researched. Each of the participant’s interview process will be discussed below separately.
Structured interviews were developed as a means by which primary data were gathered and scrutinised for the use of the study. The interview schedule was drawn up in terms of the aim and objectives of the study, the theoretical framework and from observations made during the pilot study. The interview process was divided into three sections, namely the interviews of the residents in formal housing, the municipal representative interview and lastly the non-governmental interview.
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The interviews of residents’ in formal housing were semi-structured and based on open- ended questionnaires, allowing the respondents to freely express their feelings pertaining to particular questions. This therefore allowed for the flexible nature of the questions in case the respondents deviated from the questions presented (Dunn, 2005; Valentine, 2005). The interview process with each of these respondents was held between the 13th February 2009 to 22nd February 2009. The interviews were in-depth, in order to extract important and crucial information pertaining to the research. They were structured in an intelligent, scientific and concise manner which made the report as feasible as possible. Before each interview was conducted, an informal conversation between the researcher and researched was conducted. From the interviews, the researcher was able to examine the information gathered. Each interview took approximately one to one-and-a half hours to complete.
However, the time duration of the interviews was flexible in order to accommodate the interviewees.
The interview schedule for the residents in formal housing was structured according to the five objectives in the study (refer to Appendix C, which shows the interview schedules used for the interviews conducted). Furthermore, when respondents were unavailable to participate in the interview process on a specific date, a new time schedule was arranged according to the respondents’ availability. The interviews were guided by relevant and key questions (Kitchen and Tate, 2000). These questions covered issues regarding the residents’ in formal housing perceptions of the informal residents, the impacts of the informal community on the formal community as well as whether their relationship was harmonious or based on conflict. These questions also examined whether the initiatives such as relocation of most of the informal settlements within the residential area resolved the tensions between the two communities. Furthermore, these questions allowed for a conversation between the interviewee and the interviewer (Ferraro, 2006). This allowed for the interpretation of the residents’ (in formal housing) understandings and experiences and how they make sense of their everyday lives. This type of conversation built a pleasant interview process with the interviewees and led to each respondent being known on a personal basis. Each respondent was also issued with a letter of informed consent (refer to Appendix D, which shows the letter of consent to participate in the research project) that he/she signed (Dowling, 2005). This letter also ensured that each respondent’s identity remained anonymous (Dowling, 2005).
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The interviews with the representatives of the municipality and non-governmental organisation were structured differently from the interviews with the residents of Clare Estate, but had incorporated some of the questions in the residents’ interviews. However, the interviews for the residents in formal housing, municipal representatives and non- governmental organisations, were designed specifically for each of them in order to obtain relevant information regarding the research. This therefore allowed for a wide range of data to be collected and analysed. Admission to both these departments (municipality and non-governmental organisation) required permission from both the municipal and non- governmental organisation representatives. Furthermore, it should be noted that both the municipal representative’s and the non-governmental organisation’s representative’s interviews were tape-recorded, with their permission. However, the municipal representative requested to be anonymous, whereas the non-governmental organisation’s representative was comfortable in disclosing his name.
The interview with the municipal representative was based on how his organisation viewed the situation of the informal settlements within the boundaries of the formal residential area, and what measures they have put in place to address this issue. Initially emails were sent to a number of municipality officials, requesting a meeting for an interview with the managers, but due to no reply, most of the municipal representatives had to be contacted via telephone. From the six municipal representatives contacted only one representative agreed to participate in the research. This municipal representative was contacted telephonically in order to schedule an interview. This interview was done on the 27th of November 2008. The researcher tape-recorded and transcribed the municipal representative’s interview.
An interview with the non-governmental organisation representative was also conducted and was based on his knowledge or experience of the residents in informal housing of the Clare Estate area. Initially emails were sent to this representative to schedule a meeting, however, due to no feedback, this representative was contacted via telephone in order to schedule a formal interview. This interview was done on the 5th of February 2008. The researcher tape-recorded and transcribed the municipal representative’s interview. This interview lasted approximately an hour-and-a-half. The interviews scheduled for the above stakeholders were designed specifically for them. However, in each of these interviews the relationship between the specific stakeholder and the residents in formal housing were explored, with the aim and objectives of the study guiding the questions. Furthermore, the
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opinions of the residents in formal housing, the municipal member and non-governmental organisation representative have been analysed and filed for inclusion in the results and the discussion section. The following section examines other ways of obtaining primary data, namely through site visits, photographs and personal observations.