In any kind of research, the research instruments play a critical role. The instruments enable the researcher to gather and analyse the required data.
The research instruments can take various forms such questionnaires, interviews and observations methods. The subsections below discuss the various instruments that were used during the research.
6.5.1 Theoretical search
A theoretical search signifies critical analysis and review of the existing literature on the research subject (Birley & Moreland, 1998: 80). A literature review is a crucial element in any research project because it provides a better and clearer understanding of the research problem. According to Fouché and Delport (no date in de Vos, 2002: 128) a literature review provides better insight into the dimensions and complexity of the research problem. Various books, journals, unpublished dissertations, government reports, and newspaper articles as well as pertinent policies and legislation were reviewed.
These sources provided the viewpoints of politicians, academics and other stakeholders on land reform. The Internet was the main instrument used to obtain information on land reform at an international level.
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The literature review enriched the quality of the discussion with regard to the historical foundation of land reform in South Africa as well as providing an understanding the various approaches adopted by other countries in dealing with land reform. In addition, literature was consulted on CBOs, NGOs and trade unions at both international and local level to provide a civil society perspective on land reform. The researcher also attended some imbizos organised by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform in order to obtain first-hand information on people’s views on the state of land reform.
6.5.2 Data collection
For triangulation purposes, a variety of methods were used to collect data in order to make the study more intensive and comprehensive for quality results.
Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data. Two trained fieldworkers (one for each geographical research area) and a supervisor assisted in the collection of data for this study.
6.5.3 Structured questionnaires
Questionnaires are a widely used method for collecting research data. Delport (no date, in de Vos, 2002: 172) describes a questionnaire as consisting of a set of questions and statements to which participants are requested to respond. In this research, structured questionnaires were used to solicit information from the beneficiaries of the land reform. The questionnaires consisted of both closed and open-ended questions, structured to probe the respondents on various aspects ranging from personal status, to legislation and regulations, poverty alleviation, degree of satisfaction with the pace of land reform and the aftercare support provided. The questionnaires were also used to measure the extent to which land reform impacted on the beneficiaries’ livelihoods. This was determined by the income generated from the projects. This assisted the researcher to determine the impact of the land reform on the livelihoods.
6.5.4 Research interviews
According to the neo-positivist view, interviews are an instrument that reflects the truth about reality and helps to get relevant responses (Alvesson &
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Karreman (2011: 99). Interviews imply one-on-one discussion meeting between the researcher and the respondent (Rule & John, 2011: 64). The one- on-one interviews, also called face-to-face interviews by Baker (1999: 217), involve one person who addresses questions to another. The relation between the two people prior to and after the interview will affect the success of the results. According to Rule and John (2011) the following guidelines are necessary for conducting successful interviews:
The interview requires a relaxed atmosphere.
The nature and purpose has to be explained.
Interviewees should be allowed to answer clarity questions.
The ethical obligations to be clearly stated.
Start the interview with less demanding questions.
The researcher must listen carefully and not interrupt the participants.
Afford the interviewee a respect and be sensitive to the emotions.
Probe and summarise your responses (Rule and John, 2011: 64).
In this research the method helped to supplement the above-mentioned methods, particularly when gathering information from the traditional authorities, municipal councils and departmental officials.
The research utilised interviews as a research instrument and these formed an integral part of data collection. Interviews were conducted with respondents who preferred not to answer the structured questionnaires. The principles outlined by Rule and John (2011: 64) were considered during the research project. Interviews afforded the respondents an opportunity to freely express their viewpoints. The next section indicates the different types of interviews used in research.
6.7.4.1 STRUCTURED INTERVIEWS
Structured interviews are necessary to get precise answers for precise questions. This depends on the kind of information the researcher wishes to elicit (Walliman, 2011: 193).This type of interview is similar to questionnaires
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which are conducted face-to-face with respondents. The structured interviews help in determining the frequency of answers as well as in establishing how answers relate to different questions. One advantage of structured interviews is in overcoming both misunderstanding and misinterpretations of responses or questions (Bless, Higson-Smith, & Kagee (2011). The disadvantage of these type of interviews is that they allow little flexibility in how questions are asked or answered (Fontana & Frey, No date in Denzin & Lincoln, 2005: 702).
Structured interviews were administered to supplement the unstructured interviews with the view of determining patterns and trends on the subject matter.
6.7.4.2 UNSTRUCTURED INTERVIEWS
According to Bless et al, (2011) the unstructured interview help in clarifying concepts and problems. One is able to develop possible answers or solutions.
Unstructured interviews emphasise the ideas of the interviewees, who get an opportunity to express their ideas once the interviewer has introduced the theme or topic. In this study, unstructured interviews were administered to departmental and municipal council officials. The purpose was to establish their perspective on the research subject
6.7.4.2 OBSERVATION METHOD (IZIMBIZO)
The researcher attended some imbizos (traditional/cultural gatherings) organised by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform where land reform projects were discussed. This enriched the researcher’s understanding of the implementation of the land reform programme. It further assisted the researcher to obtain first-hand information from the perspectives of both the public and the beneficiaries regarding the impact of land redistribution. However, due to the fact that the proceedings of the imbizos do not follow a structured approach, the responses are not included in the data.