CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY
3.3 Sample
3.4.1 Interviews
Individual semi-structured interviews were used for the study as they are a means to access participants’ perspectives on the phenomenon under investigation. Lambert and Loiselle (2007) argue that interviewing is a powerful way to understand another person. Therefore, through interviews one may be able to identify and understand tensions and dilemmas obstructing the adoption of risk-reducing sexual behaviour. Maxwell and Boyle (1995) argue that interviews are a means of exploring taboo topics such as sexual relationships. Sexual topics are still seen as a taboo, especially in rural South Africa, so an interview provides a private setting for a conversation where one can speak freely about sex.
A semi-structured interview was used so as to ensure that the interview had a specific focus and addressed the research question while also allowing a back-and-forth conversation between interviewer and interviewee. This was to ensure the interviewee did not feel pressurised by the process and was also to create an environment for the interviewee to feel comfortable about disclosing information on a personal matter. Semi-structured interviews allowed the researcher to ask additional questions, to explain and rephrase questions, to clarify participants’ responses and probe deeper in a given situation where relevant (Parahoo, 2014). Thus, the goal of the semi-structured interviews was to enable open and detailed discussion (Kelly, 2006; Parahoo, 2014).
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Although interviews contribute to generating in-depth data, the accuracy of participants’
reports of their inner experiences may be problematic. Fielding (1994) notes that interviewees may decide to hold back certain descriptions or exaggerate them, particularly if the ‘truth’ is inconsistent with their preferred self-image. Interviewees may answer the questions to impress the interviewer or to say what they think the interviewer wants to know, not truly reporting their experiences (Fielding, 1994). Lambert and Loiselle (2007) state that even though the researcher may adopt a neutral role, the interviewee may be influenced by certain characteristics of the interviewer. According to Fielding (1994), this has raised the issue of whether interviewee-interviewer characteristics (i.e. age, race, gender) should be matched when conducting a study. In this study, the interviewers were matched with the participants in terms of race and gender in order to counter this issue. Participants were also advised not to answer questions that they were not comfortable with. They were also re-assured of the confidentiality of their responses; that is, whatever was said in the conversation would not be traced back to them.
A set of guiding questions were used for the interviews (see Appendix 6A, English version and 6B, isiXhosa version). Before the data collection of the larger project began, the research team drafted the interview guide. I was not part of this process because data was collected before I started my research project. The interview guide was developed in relation to the research questions. Literature on the topic was consulted to assist in framing suitable questions in accordance with the study aims and objectives. The guide was to provide a level of consistency between interviews. It was not used to impose on the conversation but to assist the researchers to gather information specifically related to the research objectives. It was developed using a semi-structured style with open-ended questions to allow the researchers to explore additional questions if necessary.
This interview schedule was translated into isiXhosa, the mother tongue of the participants, by members of the research team who are isiXhosa-speakers. A back-translation (Chen & Boore, 2010) method was used to ensure the accurate translation of the interview schedule. Back- translation is a method in which translators translate a document previously translated into another language back into the original language (Chen & Boore, 2010). The English interview schedule was translated into isiXhosa by one researcher. A second researcher then translated the schedule back into English to check on the accuracy of the translation. The interview schedule was translated into isiXhosa to ensure that participants could express themselves adequately
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without struggling with misunderstanding or the issue of using translators. It was believed that mother-tongue interaction could contribute to the richness of data.
The procedures taken in conducting the interviews for the broader study are presented below. I was not part of this process because data was collected before I started my research project.
The interviews were held on a one-on-one basis in a quiet place in the participant’s residence.
This was to ensure that the participants felt comfortable with the environment. Researchers also translated all consent and information sheets into isiXhosa. One researcher translated consent forms and information sheets into isiXhosa then another researcher, fluent in both English and isiXhosa translated the consent forms and information sheets back into English to ensure the accuracy of the translation.
3.4.1.1 Conducting the interview
To gain assent from participants, researchers verbally explained (in isiXhosa) the research to the participants. Participants were also given an information sheet (see Appendix 8A, English version and 8B, isiXhosa version) that explained the objectives, the rationale of the study and the participant’s rights in taking part in the study. The information sheet was written in both English and isiXhosa to ensure that participants understood their rights concerning participation. The participants were then given the opportunity to consent to participate in the study. They were informed that their participation was voluntary, that they had the right to freely choose to be part of the study and that they had the right to withdraw from the study at any time without any negative consequences. This was to ensure that participants understood their roles and rights in the research process. Participants were assured that their identity would be kept confidential as their responses would not be able to be traced back to them. They were informed that their names would be protected with the use of pseudonyms.
Participants who agreed to take part in the study were allowed to choose a date and time when the interview could take place. Those who were immediately available to be interviewed were given consent forms (see Appendix 9A, English version and 9B, isiXhosa version) to sign before the interview could begin. They were also informed that the interview would be audio- recorded to avoid loss of data and were asked for their consent to record the interview. If they agreed, another consent form (see Appendix 10A, English version and 10B, isiXhosa version) to record the interview was signed. Then the researcher facilitated the interviews guided by an interview schedule (see Appendix 6A, English version and 6B, isiXhosa version). The
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interviews lasted approximately an hour. After the interview, participants were compensated with R30 for their time and participation.