Model 4: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods are used equally
5.5 DATA COLLECTION
5.5.3 Pilot Study
A pilot study was conducted before a full-blown research was conducted. The pilot study is used widely in social sciences research and can refer to so-called feasibility studies which are small scale versions or trial runs in preparation for the major study (Polit et al, 2001:467). A pilot study can also be used as the pre-testing or trying out of a particular research instrument (Baker, 1994:182). One of the advantages of conducting a pilot study is that it might give advance warning about where the main research project could fail, where research protocols may not be followed, or whether proposed methods or instruments are inappropriate or too complicated (Van Teijlingen & Hundley, 2001:1). According to Van Teijlingen & Hundley (2001:1) the pilot studies are conducted for a range of reasons as outlined below:
Developing and testing adequacy of research instruments,
Assessing the feasibility of a full-scale study or survey,
Designing a research protocol,
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Assessing whether the research protocol is realistic and workable,
Establishing whether the sampling frame and technique are effective,
Assessing the likely success of proposed recruitment approaches,
Identifying logistical problems which might occur using proposed methods,
Estimating variability in outcomes to help determining sample size,
Collecting preliminary data,
Determining what resources, whether financial or staff, are needed for a planned study,
Assessing the proposed data analysis techniques to uncover potential problems,
Developing a research question and research plan,
Training a researcher in as many elements of the research process as possible,
Convincing funding bodies that the research team is competent and knowledgeable,
Convincing funding bodies that the main study is feasible and worth funding, and
Convincing other stakeholders that the main study is worth supporting.
During the process of conducting this study, the pilot study was expedient in a number of ways to shape the main study and provide insight into some loopholes that might have jeopardised proper execution of the study as outlined below.
5.5.3.1 Determining the Sample Design
The pilot study proved that the initial sample that was presented during the research proposal was too ambitious. A total of twenty questionnaires were distributed to the communities and a total of ten were distributed to the private sector stakeholders.
The research proposal indicated that the study was going to include the sample of private sector institutions such as Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (FEDHASA), Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SACCI), Southern African Tourism Services Association (SATSA) and Tourism
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Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA). The pilot study indicated that these private sector institutions were too many and it was not feasible to interview all of them in the study. The private sector was then only represented by the Community Tourism Associations (CTOs) as it was discovered during the pilot study that members of the CTOs are also affiliates of the major private sector institutions that were replaced in the sample. Another challenge that was experienced with the private sector institutions is that although some of them have branches in KwaZulu- Natal, they are centrally organised and controlled at a national level and it was deemed infeasible to get hold of all the chairpersons or chief executive officers of these institutions.
The pilot study also proposed that all public entities that deal with tourism in the province be interviewed. The public entities included Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, Tourism KwaZulu-Natal and Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal. The pilot study indicated that as much as these public entities somehow deal with tourism in KwaZulu-Natal, the major public entity that id mandated by law to deal with tourism in KwaZulu-Natal is Tourism KwaZulu-Natal. It was discovered that Tourism KwaZulu-Natal works closely with all other public entities in coordinating their tourism related activities. Tourism KwaZulu-Natal was eventually the only public entity included in the sample.
5.5.3.2 Modification of Instrumentation and data collection
The instrumentation used in the study is the questionnaire. The initial questionnaire had closed and open-ended questions and did not include a Likert Scale to gather information on the degree of agreement or disagreement to ascertain tourism perspectives on policy, planning, coordination, development and management in KwaZulu-Natal. The questionnaire was modified to include the Likert Scale so that the degree of opinions from various tourism stakeholders in area could be ascertained.
The study covered the whole of KwaZulu-Natal and questionnaires had to be distributed in eleven district municipalities, including communities who reside within
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Ethekwini municipality. The pilot study indicated that it was going to be difficult for the researcher to distribute questionnaires in all the places within the study area.
Seven research assistants were then recruited to assist with distribution and collection of questionnaires. The research assistants were then trained on the research ethics, content and language of the questionnaire.
The pilot study also assisted in determining the resources needed in conducting the study, especially data collection as the research assistants had to be remunerated for their work of distributing and collecting questionnaires.