2. METHODOLOGIES
2.3 METHODS AND TECHNIOUES OF DATA COLLECTION
investigation may also change: new methods may be needed to deal with formulated content.33 In similar vein, Marshall and Rossman maintain that because the research progresses, the methods may change and the researcher must ensure this flexibility.34
Charles Reichardt and Sharon Rallis, while acknowledging the substantial differences between qualitative and quantitative research traditions maintain "that a meaningful and enduring partnership between qualitative and quantitative researchers based on shared fundamental values is both possible and desirable,,35 Mouton, in summarising the differences between qualitative and quantitative approaches reduces those to differences in structuring, control and scope.36 He states that qualitative approaches are relatively more open and broader in the way in which they tackle problems than are quantitative approaches.37 He concludes by pointing out that it is important to emphasize the parallels and areas of overlap between these two approaches.38
While acknowledging this potential harmony, this study is conducted mostly along qualitative lines, specifically using case-studies to offer a series of fine-grained accounts of a complex subject. While the findings of such a study has limited generalisability, the research design nevertheless allows for the disproving of certain claims, for example, the case-studies disprove the claims that executive mayors-in-committee are more efficient than executive committees.
the type of information sought.4o They maintain that the researcher should determine the most practical, efficient feasible and ethical methods for collecting data as the research progresses.41
The following data collection methods have accordingly been selected for this approach: the review ofdocuments, in-depth interviewing and observation.
2.3.1 The Review of Documents
The research in respect of all the case studies will commence with a review of documents. This method is unobtrusive and depending upon the accessibility to information, is likely to reduce the time allocated to individual interviews significantly. At the outset, the researcher will benefit from data which will assist with hislher orientation of that case study. For example, information regarding the demarcation of boundaries, number of wards, category and type of municipality etc. is contained in the Section 12 Notice.42 In addition, there are many internal documents which will need to be accessed and exposed to a process called content analysis. Marshall and Rossman point out that "the raw material for content analysis may be any form of communication, usually written materials (textbooks, novels, newspapers, e-mail messages); other forms of communications-such as music, pictures or political speeches - may also be included.43
Given the parameters of this research, useful data will be collected from council documents, for example, policy statements, by-laws, agendas and minutes of meetings, terms of reference of committees, standing orders etc. The provisions of the Promotion of Access to Information Act require municipalities to make this type of information (with certain exceptions) available to members of the public on request.
To place this in context, in terms of the overall thesis and within the Systems Model, this part of the research will produce information on the Structural Design, that is information on the decision- making structures and processes. The hard systems methodology will be used for the primary focus and will be supplemented where necessary with various methods from the soft systems methodologies.
2.3.2 In-depth Interviewine
This research project will rely extensively on in-depth interviewing. The interviews will take the form of a conversation, rather than a structured, questionnaire type of interview. The researcher will explore topics connected with public participation in municipal decision-making, for example,
"what are the respondents' views on how seriously the public's input is treated by the decision- makers?"
This method has a particular strength, in that, an interview provides a useful way of accessing large amounts of data quickly. When more than one person is interviewed in focus group interviews, for example, ward committees, the interview process is likely to gather a wide variety of information across a large number of subjects. Itis the intention, within each case study to identify a number of elite interviewees,44 also referred to, sometimes, as key informants.45 Individuals who are considered to be influential, prominent, and/or well informed in a community, are selected for interviews on the basis of their expertise in areas relevant to the research. For example, the leader of the majority party in council (the mayor), the leader of the opposition in council, chairpersons of ward committees and municipal managers. Combined with observation, interviews will assist the researcher in understanding the meaning that participants hold for the matters referred to in the research questions. Interview notes or a tape recorder will be used during focus interviews for the purpose of capturing the information required.
Cognisance is taken of the fact that municipal governance and therefore municipal decision-making takes place in a political environment. For this reason and others, interviewees may be unwilling or may be uncomfortable sharing all the information that the researcher hopes to explore.
2.3.3 Observation at Meetings
As municipal decision-making of the type that is the focus of this thesis, is an activity which takes place at meetings, the research will include observation at meetings as one of the means of data collection. Where possible, meetings of the council, the executive, standing committees and ward committees, in all the case studies, will be attended for observation purposes. An observation
the requirements of consistency and uniformity. Wherever possible, for verification purposes, meetings will be attended by a team consisting of two observers.
TABLE 2 OBSERVATION RECORD
Council and Committee Meetinl!s
Item/Activity observed Notes
I. Composition of Committee (1.1) umerical (1.2) Gender Sensitivity (1.3) Race
(1.4) Political Affiliation 2. Terms of reference
3. Rules of Order 4. Delegations 5. Public Participation 6. Resoonse to Public Inout 7. Efficiency
8. Decision-Making Process (8.1) Consensus (8.2) By Majority Vote
9. Influence of Officials on decision-making 9. Referral of Items to Other Political Structures e.g
Ward Committees.
Particular attention will be given to the degree that the requirements of efficiency and democracy are upheld during decision-making. For example, with regardto efficiency, attention will be given to the size of the decision-making structure, the terms of reference, standing rules, delegation of authority, frequency and duration of meetings, workload etc. The observer will also give attention, on the other hand, to levels of inclusivity, transparency, accountability and participation during his/her attendance at meetings.
Care will need to be taken to ensure that the observation recordcontains detailed, non judgemental, concrete descriptions of what has been observed. This will facilitate the analysis process and allow for the systematic comparison and verification of data obtained through other data collection methods and techniques.