Devos (1998:110) defines a research design as the plan or blueprint according to which data is collected in order to investigate the research hypothesis or question in the most economic manner. Bless and Higson-Smith (2000:11) clarify that a research design is used to describe how the study will be organized during the process of selecting the participants. It also formulates a research problem as a point of departure and focuses on the logic of the research (Fouche and De Vos, 2002:137).
The main purpose of this study is to investigate the EPWP management processes and the impact of the programme on communities in KZN. The literature on the EPWP and relevant policies were reviewed. Both primary and secondary sources were used. Secondary data were obtained through surveys and existing studies in this field and from government legislation and policies. The literature in the form of books, journals, periodicals, news media and any other relevant literature was also reviewed. A Desk-Top Review was also conducted. The aim of the desk top review was to provide quantitative data to inform an assessment in line with the objectives of the study. The following documentation was therefore reviewed:
· KZN DPW Strategic Plans;
· KZN DPW Budget Speeches;
· KZN DPW Annual Reports; and
· KZN DPW EPWP Operational Plans.
Primary data was acquired through questionnaires distributed to 124 participants.
The respondents comprised the:
· EPWP Provincial Co-ordinator 1
· Head Office EPWP Management Team 4
· Regional Managers 4
· Regional EPWP Assistant Managers 4
· District Managers 11
· Head Office Operational Team 4
· Regional Operational Team 8
· Beneficiaries of EPWP projects 88
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Total 124
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This is an evaluative research study aimed at assessing the efficacy and impact of the EPWP in line with the objectives stipulated in Section 5.2. Casley and Kumas (2003:99) maintain that an evaluation attempts to:
· Critically re-examine the project’s rationale as stated in preparation and appraisal documents;
· Assess the efficiency of the project;
· Examine implementation procedures and the quality of managerial performance;
· Determine the effects and impact of the projects; and
· Present the lessons learnt and the recommendations that follow from them.
According to Rossi and Freeman (1993:15) evaluation can be undertaken:
· For management and administrative purposes;
· For planning and policy purposes; and
· To test a particular social science hypothesis or a principle of professional practice.
This study was conducted with all three of the above purposes in mind; monitoring and evaluation were added in order to inform the management strategy to be designed.
This evaluative study used a mixed methodology design or triangulation of methods, which entailed mixing qualitative and quantitative research approaches since a study using both methods and styles is broader and more comprehensive (Neuman, 2000:125). The advantage of the mixed method approach is further affirmed by Cohen et al. (2007:112) when pointing out that a quantitative piece of research uses analytic and inferential statistics, while a qualitative one focuses on the participants of the study. Thus, the researcher adopted this approach in order to achieve both types of analyses and information.
According to Neuman (2000:125) there are several ways to utilise the afore- mentioned approach which include amongst others; to use the methods sequentially, that is, first one then the other; and to carry out the study using the two methods in parallel or both simultaneously. This study employed both methods as indicated in 5.2.1 and 5.2.2, respectively.
5.2.1 The qualitative research method
The objective of qualitative research is to promote an understanding of the human condition (Van der Merwe, 1996:286). This research method enables a researcher to study human behaviour in order to reflect meaningfully on the human condition.
O’Sullivan and Rassel (1999:36-37) state that qualitative research produces verbal data which are difficult or impossible to convert into numbers.
According to Van der Merwe (1996:283), the qualitative methodology includes direct observation, an overview of different documents and artefacts, participant observation and open-ended, unstructured interviews. O’Sullivan and Rassel (1999:
36-37) elaborate that it is defined by its extensive use of verbal information, its preference for developing full information on relatively few cases and its consideration of the unique features of each case.
This study employed the qualitative research method to describe, interpret or subjectively reconstruct the meaning of words of the studied population. This was done using soft data which according to Neuman (2000:122) can take the form of impressions, words, sentences, photos, symbols, etc. Rubin and Babbie (1997:160) clarify that the essence of this approach is to view events through the perspective of the people who are being studied, that is, the way they think and view the world.
5.2.2 The quantitative research method
Research that aims to test theories, determine facts, undertake statistical analysis and demonstrate relationships between variables and predictions is usually referred to as quantitative research. Quantitative studies typically involve many cases and variables which are measured in a predetermined and specific way. The data are numeric, can be summarized numerically and be analyzed using statistical techniques (O’Sullivan and Rassel, 1999:37).
Quantitative research requires methods such as experiments and surveys to describe and explain phenomena. This can include techniques such as observations, pilot studies, quantitative analysis and questionnaires (Brynard and Hanekom, 1997:29).
According to Neuman (2000:122), quantitative researchers measure variables and test hypotheses that are linked to general causal explanations. Surveys and experiments are the two most preferred methods. Quantitative research methodology lends itself to the description of opinions and attitudes and gauging the effect of one event or variable on another (Van der Merwe, 1996:283).
A quantitative research approach was employed in this study as it is an excellent way to finalize results and prove or disprove a hypothesis (Bickman and Rog, 1998:12). It requires detailed planning prior to data collection and analysis (Neuman, 2000:123). Hard data, in the form of numbers, tables, and charts are used to present the statistical analysis of the findings.