Sampling is a procedure for finding cases to study (Creswell & Creswell, 2017).
According to Neuman (2013), a sampling procedure is used in research when the researcher is unable to investigate the total population which is involved. Non-probability sampling was used in this study as the researcher used a qualitative approach to the phenomena under investigation. Creswell and Creswell (2017) state that non-probability sampling is used in studies that are not interested in the parameters of an entire population and where members of the population do not have an equal chance of being selected. In this study the researcher used purposive sampling. This sampling method involves the deliberate choice of participants regarding their inherent ability in meeting the criteria required by the investigation. This
implies that the researcher decides what needs to be known and sets out to find people who can, and who are willing, to provide the information by virtue of their knowledge or experience. It is a non-random technique that does not need underlying theories or a set number of
participants (Neuman, 2013).
As 10 participants stated they were willing to participate they were all interviewed and none were omitted because of data saturation, that is when participants were found not to add new knowledge (Cresswell & Cresswell, 2017). This was because all participants experienced IPV in intensely private and somewhat different ways thus „data saturation‟ was not a concept appropriate to this study.
4.6.1 Participants
Participants in the study were women who were victims of IPV. These women were identified at Victim Empowerment Programmes in Mkhuhlu and Acornhoek, Ehlanzeni District in the Mpumalanga Province. It must be noted that during proposal phase the researcher aimed to collect data at Thulamahashe centre for victims of violence however, when data had to be collected the institution did not have patients who met the requirements for the study, hence the researcher was referred the victim empowerment centres. The victim empowerment centres that were used to enrol participants in my study offer different services to women who have suffered trauma, or harm through violence and crime, as well as natural disasters. They consider victims as any woman who has suffered:
“Harm, including physical or mental injury; emotional suffering;
economic loss or substantial impairment of [in this case] her fundamental rights, through acts or omissions that are in violation of the criminal law” (Social Development, 2022, p.1).
73 Ten participants, which are an appropriate number in terms of qualitative research
(Cresswell & Creswell, 2017), were enrolled and took part in the research. The age group of the participants ranged between 35-60 years old.
4.6.2 Procedure
I needed to identify possible participants, so I asked for permission to conduct the research from the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that runs the clinic. A preliminary discussion, where it was made clear the research had to pass through the various ethical channels at the University of Limpopo, indicated that the Gatekeepers of the clinic would like this research to take place.
After I was granted permission to conduct the research by both the University of Limpopo and gatekeepers of the clinic I (a Clinical Psychologist) went to the centres and discussed, and described, the proposed research with women who attended them and asked if anyone wanted to participate. I made my cell number and e-mail address available to the possible participants so that they could contact me. I also highlighted confidentiality and anonymity when I spoke to them.
4.6.3 Data collection
In this research I used semi-structured interviews as according to Creswell and Creswell (2017), semi-structured interviews are useful for qualitative research. Semi-structured
interviews are in-depth interviews where the respondents must answer a set of focused, open- ended, and flexible questions in their own words. It is a verbal exchange where one person, the interviewer, attempts to elicit information from another by asking questions Those questions
were determined before the interviews however, probing took place when more information was needed. I used the semi-structured interview guide to help me focus on getting answers which were relevant to the research topic.
Creswell and Creswell (2017) state that the semi-structured interview unfolds in a conversational manner offering participants the chance to explore issues they feel are important. It is about talking but it is also about listening, paying attention, being open to hearing what people have to say, creating a comfortable environment in which people can share their experiences, being non-judgmental, and being careful and systematic when recording what participants say. This includes using an appropriate tone of voice. I used an empathic tone of voice which, in my view, helped the participants feel comfortable and was not threatening in any way. The semi-structured interview guide offered a focused structure for the discussion but was not strictly followed. This was because I needed to probe when participants responses needed clarifying. The idea was to explore the research area by collecting comparable types of information from each participant by providing them with guidance on what to talk about.
The semi-structured interview is often perceived as an easy data collection method however, if carried out properly it is a rigorous and difficult method (Creswell and Creswell, 2017; Neuman, 2013). The main advantage of this format is that it has been found to be successful in enabling reciprocity between the interviewer and participant (Creswell &
Creswell, 2017), enabling the interviewer to improvise (probe) follow-up questions based on participant´s responses. Polit and Beck (2017) suggest that this allows space for participants‟
individual verbal expressions. This form of interview therefore allowed me to clarify ambiguous statements, permit exploration of topics and to elicit experiential accounts of the
75 lived experiences of the women, in terms of IPV. I took field notes to ensure that no data (for
instance, body language) was lost.
The interviews took place in English and the local vernacular, which is Xitsonga, whichever the participant felt most comfortable with. Each interview lasted approximately sixty (60) to ninety (90) minutes. I conducted the interviews in a quiet, comfortable, and safe setting in a room in the clinic which was made available for my use. No incentives were offered for the research however, water and tissues were available for use by the participants. Appointments were set with each participant according to their availability. At the start of the interview rapport between myself and the participant was established. According to Shenton (2004), rapport can be described as a state of mutual trust and responsiveness between individuals or groups of people.
Demographic questions were asked first to obtain pertinent background information and to allow the participant to become used to the situation. All participants were de-briefed immediately after each interview. Debriefing is an opportunity to share in depth recent experiences with someone who is willing to listen and care, without judgment or criticism (Maree, 2007). Appointments were made after the initial interviews for participants to give feedback on the transcript of their interviews, to ensure that it was proper record of their experience. These feedback appointments took between 15 to 20 minutes each and took place at the same venue when the women were available.