RESEARCH PARADIGM, APPROACH, DESIGN, AND METHODOLOGY
3.9 REFLEXIVITY
Scholars have acknowledged the total avoidance of qualitative researchers’ personal biases in the research process as one of the major limitations of qualitative research because the interpretation of findings is left to the discretion of the qualitative researcher (Jones, Torres &
Arminio, 2014). It is necessary to establish what kind of relationship must exist between the qualitative researcher and the study participants. Furthermore, the viewpoints and prior experiences the researcher brings to the enquiry process should be considered.
89
An unequal power relation exists between the researcher and the participants, which can influence the collaborative nature of the qualitative research process due to inherent social power variations occasioned by social relations. In qualitative studies, researchers could influence participants into a position of trust with the researcher since they hold some control over the interview process to satisfy their interests rather than being responsive to participants through conversational interviews to empower them. Also, the researcher inevitably interprets the data from the participants (Mariam & Julian, 2017).
A researcher’s prior experiences, perspectives, personal values, and biases can influence the enquiry process, from data collection through analysis to interpretation, and ultimately affect the study results (Creswell, 2014; Mariam & Julian, 2017). It is, therefore, essential to elucidate the researcher’s perspectives, previous knowledge, and importance attached to the phenomenon being studied. Clarifying the researcher’s position assists in understanding the study’s perspective (Mariam & Julian, 2017).
For this qualitative research, the researcher safeguarded against personal biases that could influence data collection, analysis, and interpretation of ECCD centre directors’ management experiences in Ghana, by doing the following:
i. As a professionally trained teacher, the researcher was familiar with some issues affecting quality education delivery in Ghana. The researcher attempted not to let personal experience in education management influence their judgement, but instead capitalised on their own management experiences to understand ECCD directors’ management experiences at ECCD centres.
ii. Furthermore, the supervisor’s reviews controlled the researcher’s association and familiarity with contextual challenges affecting Ghana’s education sector.
iii. The researcher’s prior experience assisted in understanding the management experiences of directors at ECCD level.
iv. The researcher stringently adhered to the approved ethics practices and tried to be careful, precise, and unbiased throughout the research process.
v. The researchers also engaged in self-analysis to keep personal biases in check.
90 3.10 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Ethical principles and rules guided the researcher’s conduct towards ECCD authorities, directors, and board members during this study (Creswell & Creswell, 2018; Zegwaard, 2015). Hence, every ethical principle of UNISA was meticulously observed. The researcher applied and received a certificate of ethical clearance from CEDU REC, UNISA, prior to the commencement of data collection (see Annexure D). The researcher obtained official permission from the Ghana Education Service’s Head Quarters, Division of Early Childhood Education, and approval was granted to carry out the research in its ECCD centres in the selected Metropolitan and Municipal districts in the Graeter Accra Region. Similarly, the researcher sent official letters to ECCD centre to request their permission to participate in the study. In all, informed consent was obtained, and permission to conduct the study was granted by the authorities from the Ghana Education Service, Division of ECCD (see Annexures B and C respectively). The following sub- sections discuss how the researcher observed participant-related ethical issues during the study.
3.10.1 Informed consent
Sarantakos (2013) and Scott (2013) explain that informed consent is a contract between the researcher and the participants informing them about the purpose of the study, the procedures involved, risks and benefits associated with the study, and the confines of confidentiality before they accept to partake in the research.
In this study, letters of consent were given to ECCD directors and board members who signed and returned them before participation (see Annexure F). Furthermore, participants were made aware that should they feel like withdrawing from the study at any point in the research process, they are free to do so without any consequence. Moreover, through the request letters, ECCD directors and board members were duly aware of the aim of the study and the use of the findings (see Annexures D and E, respectively).
3.10.2 Confidentiality and anonymity
The researcher assured the participants that anonymity and confidentiality of their information were ensured and that only the researcher and the supervisor could access it. The researcher
91
ensured that hard copies of participants’ information were shredded and electronic copies were permanently deleted from the computer's hard drive through Microsoft software. Furthermore, the names of the ECCD centres, directors, and board members were coded to avoid revealing their identity. ECCD centres were coded as ECCD centre 1: Public, and ECCD centre 2: Private, while directors were coded as P1: Public Director and P2: Private Director, respectively. In addition, the researcher assured the ECCD directors and the board members that the information obtained from them would be used for the sole purpose of this study.
3.10.3 Harm and fairness
In this study, the researcher was fair to all participants and respected their privacy and dignity throughout the data collection process. Specifically, the researcher was cautious about the prevalence of COVID-19 at the time of data collection. The researcher observed all COVID-19- related restriction protocols and used telephone interviews instead of face-to-face interviews and emails for document gathering from various ECCD centres, to prevent participants from any physical and mental harm.