3.4. Sampling
3.4.2. Sample size
The researcher sampled between 450- 500 documents including books, journal articles, website reports, official and policy documents, and periodical articles. All participants in the study were purposively selected until the level of saturation was reached. Saturation in this study implies that the researcher had enough complementary interviews (despite those who rejected or did not reply to the email/telephonic email interview requests) to support the already collected data from secondary materials. In the end, the combined number of the interviews conducted with participants equalled 7 participants within the age range of 18-60 years. Out of the combined number, 6 were males whilst the rest (1) were females. The ratio is in this way because most of the female participants who did not respond to my interview requests. It is equally important to indicate that all the participants were drawn from various stakeholders relevant for the subject of enquiry. The rest of those who rejected the interviews were not tabulated although the reasons for their rejections are included in the next section of the chapter. The sample is summarily tabulated below.
Table 1: Sample summary
South Africa Democratic Republic of Congo
Angola China Total
Scholars and/or Citizens (1) Citizens (0) Citizens
33
Academics (6) (0)
6 1 0 0 7
Source: researcher’s own illustration
The concurrent selection of researchers and academics as study participants was guided partly by the current researcher’s desire to curtail biasness by complementing the results of the interview with academically and officially documented records. Most of the studies that are already conducted in the area of International Relations by academics are considerably grounded in knowledge about the theoretical facets of the study on foreign policy. The arguments already advanced are well-articulated in the recent academic and policy discourses without turning a complete blind-eye to the particularities towards deeply synthesizing the specific issues under study.
In as much as some International Relations scholars and practitioners (who refused to participate) have had a substantial engagement in ultra-careful studies of the different theoretical methods to the current study of international relations and foreign policy analysis; it is important to take note that their absent activeness would have been drawn from the emphasis of the empirical aspects of diplomacy and international relations. Therefore, the undertaking of this comparative case study took the first steps in giving preference to both Angolans and Congolese from the diplomatic front to capacitate the current researcher in the advancement of refined discussion about Angola and the DRC. However, it became clear during fieldwork that the diplomats did not want to participate in the interview process and could have not deviated from their official government's policy directives. Angolans were also not accessible.
One can argue that this may be because they (diplomats) are predominantly concerned and interested in hiding their country’s real agenda as they deal with daily realities and practicalities of the cause and effect of China’s foreign policy towards Africa (Angola and DRC) in particular. Above all, the refusal to partake in an Afrocentric study by some of the Chinese diplomats should be interpreted within the idea that the Chinese foreign policy in Africa is driven by the maintenance of debt-trap diplomacy in
34
all spheres of life throughout the world. Therefore, any chance of a Chinese national contributing to the findings of an Afrocentric study is self-defeating. Thus, the findings of this Afrocentric study undoubtedly enchant the desirability and possibility of dislodging debt-trap systems and the symptoms of recolonising Africa in the patterns of political economy, both at the national, and international level (Welsing, 2015).
Additional to this, the interface of experience and knowledge of both diplomats and academics has enhanced the potential of the study in introducing refreshing and new scholarly insights on the research theme.
The use of purposive sampling has capacitated the current researcher in bridging the extending gap between the theories and practice of international relations and explaining foreign policy issues (Mvulane-Moloi, 2012). This was realised through robust synthesis of the personal accounts of academics, African and Chinese diplomats and alternative people with a special interest in the subject under study.
Despite all the challenges encountered, the current researcher could have held the complete participation of the Chinese diplomats in the study with high esteem due to their views, especially when compared to those from Africa to lend credence and value to this research.
Precisely, it should be clear that the careful decision to generate the study’s sample from a diversified population with characteristics that are distinctive as outlined above was motivated by the desire to conceptualise foreign policy affairs for the ordinary people in general. As a sub-discipline of International Relations, foreign policy analysis has been dealing with affairs that are not so typical and straightforward for laymen.
Undeniably, foreign policy has been miscomprehended domestically to be dealing with affairs that are very far from the people of local descent. Therefore, this study has rotted out the foreign policy within the all-inclusive domestic policy framework of a country. The researcher argues that when utilised effectively and efficiently, public diplomacy would teach the local people in general about the pillars of a country’s foreign policy, relevance, the true meaning and strategic significance to their lives.
Fundamentally, foreign policy has been an uncommon feature among African people for them to understand how they have historically not been exposed to it. This is especially the case when it relates to China’s foreign policy towards Africa (Angola and DRC in context).
35 3.4. Data collection methods
Data collection method is defined as a procedure by which the researcher gathers data mandatory to provide answers to central questions asked in the research of a certain study (Nalzaro, 2012). On data collection, the current research has used primary documents, sources including oral participants and online informants in particular (Platt 2007). Alternatively, this study has used a dual set of data collection methods to enhance the credibility, and dependability of the findings (Shenton, 2004).
Document analysis is mostly used with alternative qualitative research methodologies as a particular way of triangulating the study (Raphala 2017). The latter refers to an intersection of methodologies on one study of a similar situation (Bowen 2009). The researcher in the current study has been able to draw up multiple sources of data as anticipated to corroborate and converge the utility of various data methods and sources. Therefore, semi-structured interviews were adopted to complement document review in the current study as they can provide flexibility in questioning sessions. This means that the researcher can ask research participants to explain more broadly their answers to provide deeper knowledge and exhibit a complete understanding of the theme under review. Klenke (2008) notes that these forms of interviews are done to dig deep below the surfaces of the superficial responses to obtain primary data without limitations but with a focus. Semi-structured interviews also enable the researcher to ask for clarity where necessary (Raphala, 2017). The interviews were favoured and considered on the basis of their ability to allow research participants to openly answer questions and give detailed information within the confines of the study focus (Kajornboon, 2005).