LIST OF ACRONYMS
CHAPTER 4: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
4.6 SAMPLE SIZE AND PROCEDURE
A sample consists of individuals selected from the target population being studied (Patton &
Michael, 2002; Silverman, 2004), with an aim to be representative of the population about which the researcher aims to draw conclusions (Silverman, 2004). Fink (2003), as cited in Mbewe (2017), allude that the main purpose for sampling in research is to narrow down the population size so that it can be studied much quicker than large population groups. This is achieved through a selection of individuals that closely represent the features that are relevant to the phenomena being researched (Al-Busaidi, 2008). The purpose of sampling in qualitative research is to identify specific groups of individuals who have characteristics or live in circumstances relevant to the phenomena being researched (Mbewe, 2017). The sample is then examined in detail, and the findings then applied to understand much larger cases of a similar nature (Neuman, 2013). Sampling varies across every study. The sampling method is determined by the type of research to be conducted, not according to the researcher’s preference (Neuman, 2013).
The participants in this research were selected according to a non-probabilistic sampling technique referred to as purposive sampling. According to Patton and Michael (2002:34)
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“purposive sampling involves identifying and selecting individuals or groups of individuals that are especially knowledgeable about or experienced with the phenomenon of interest.” In addition to knowledge and experience, Bernard (2002) and Spradley (1979), as cited in (Mbewe, 2017), note the “importance of availability and willingness to participate, and the ability to communicate experiences and opinions in an articulate, expressive, and reflective manner.” This form of sampling is non-probabilistic, which serves the purpose of gathering appropriate participants that meet the criteria for the study.
In contrast to other sampling methods that attempt to create a sample that is statistically representative of a population, purposive sampling enables the researcher to choose people or cases ‘with a purpose’ (Mattews & Ross, 2010). This sampling was deemed suitable as a few correctional officials with rich information on male sexual assault had to be selected to provide data on their unique perceptions that would give direction to this study.
According to Matthews and Ross (2010:167) “this approach is associated with small, in–depth studies with research designs that are based on the gathering of qualitative data and focused on the exploration and interpretation of experiences and perceptions.” This sampling method assisted the researcher in gathering qualitative data of correctional official’s perceptions of male sexual assault.
Rubin and Rubin (2005:66), as cited in Vukaphi (2015), indicated three strategies a researcher can apply for selecting participants using purposive sampling, “First, the participants must be knowledgeable about the cultural arena or situation or experience being studied. Secondly, the willingness to talk and lastly, participants must be representative of the range of points of view.” For this research participants were selected based on their ability to provide rich and relevant information that would be related to the phenomenon under study. This method was found to be suitable for the study because the researcher intended to select only correctional officials who had the ability to provide the researcher with information on the topic at hand.
The researcher purposefully selected the sample for this study based on the nature of the study objectives and research questions.Therefore, a total of 8 participants were selected; with 2 officials (male and female) from each medium. Participants who were deemed to have enough experienced as a correctional official from Westville Correctional Centre were selected. The sample selected provided rich and thick information that answered the objectives and research questions of this study.
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According to the Office of the Human Resource Protection Program (2012), as cited in Mbewe (2017), various recruitment methods or strategies can be undertaken in qualitative research. In this study, one recruitment strategy was employed namely, referrals. Managers knew who in their mediums had enough years as a correctional official and will be able to provide the researcher with the appropriate information on male sexual assault. Thus, each manager in a medium connected the researcher with two correctional officials to participate in the current study. The researcher then used the inclusion and exclusion criteria to find out if the sampled participant were eligible to be part of the study.
4.6.1 Study population
The researcher purposefully selected the sample for this study based on her own knowledge of the study population, the nature of the study objectives and research questions. For this reason, a total of 8 correctional officials were selected which consist of males and females. This number was chosen based on a statement by Patton and Michel (2002) stating that a qualitative sample size may best be determined by the time allocated, resources available, and study objectives.
The researcher sampled 2 officials in each medium, from medium A to D because these are the mediums that host male offenders.
4.6.2 Sampling criteria
To sample the participants, the researcher utilised an inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure that appropriate participants were selected to participate in the study.
Inclusion criteria:
Correctional officials who work in Medium A, Medium B, Medium C, and Medium D
Willing and able to provide informed consent to participate in the study
30 to 65-year-old female and male correctional official
06 or more years of experience in the field as correctional official
Must be currently working at Westville Correctional Centre as of date of initiation of the study
Exclusion criteria:
Refusal by an individual to participate in the study
Unable to provide necessary informed consent
A correctional official who work in Medium E (Female ward)
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The criteria above assisted the researcher in excluding participants that were not eligible to participate in the study. Participants from medium A-D with a work experience of 5 years and above and working in close contact with the male offenders were recruited. The reason for the selection criterion of 06 years and above working experience was to try and ensure that all participants had a sufficient number of years of experience which would allow them to offer an informed opinion, and also, they are presumed to have greater knowledge of the phenomenon. Eigenberg (2000b) found that younger male officials often held negative views regarding sexual assault, hence participant between the ages of 30 -65 were selected to get their perceptions on the phenomenon. The reason for selecting both male and female correctional officials was to explore how these differences in gender contribute to their perceptions of male sexual assault. This research study is exploratory study and Bless, Higson Smith and Sithole (2014) considered it helpful to use semi-structured interviews in such a study.