1.6 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
1.6.6 Sampling method
Sampling is the process of selecting a subgroup of a population of interest for research (Turner, 2019:8). A population is a complete set of cases from which a sample is selected (Taherdoost, 2016:18). In most instances, collecting data from an entire population is nearly impractical; hence, focusing on a smaller group is considered more viable (Turner, 2019:8; Taherdoost, 2016:18).
The method of choosing respondents or participants to form part of a sample is crucial, as it determines the population to whom the research findings can be generalised (Elfil & Negida, 2017:1). Sampling commences with defining the target population, selecting a sampling frame, choosing a sampling technique, determining the sample size, and ultimately collecting data (Taherdoost, 2016:19). The study’s sampling process is discussed below.
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Women employed in technical mining positions across various mining companies in South Africa were the target population for the quantitative component of the study. On the other hand, the qualitative research focused on mining company representatives who were well versed with issues pertaining to the attraction, engagement and retention of women in technical mining positions.
1.6.6.2 Sampling frame
A sampling frame is defined as a set of sources from which a sample is drawn (Turner, 2003:3).
The frame is used to select specific cohorts of a target population to be interviewed or included in a survey. In quantitative research, the sampling frame must be representative of the population (Turner, 2019:8). Mines employing women in technical positions in all South African provinces made up the sample frame for the study’s quantitative and qualitative segments. These mines were from the following subsectors: cement, lime, aggregates and sand; coal mining; diamond mining; diamond processing; gold mining; jewellery manufacturing; other mining (mining of iron ore, chrome, manganese, copper, phosphates and salt) and platinum group metals (PGMs) mining. The qualitative sample frame involved human resource personnel responsible for tasks related to the attraction, engagement and retention of women in mining in South Africa.
1.6.6.3 Sampling method/technique
The sampling method used in a study determines the ability to make inferences about a population with respect to a theory (Taherdoost, 2016:20). Sampling methods are commonly categorised as probability and non-probability sampling. With probability sampling, every individual within a sampling frame has a known and equal opportunity of being selected to form part of a sample, and random selection is used to select respondents (Turner, 2019:8). In contrast, in non- probability sampling, the likelihood of individuals being chosen as part of a sample is unknown, and their chances of being selected are unequal (Turner, 2019:10). Non-probability sampling was used for both the qualitative and the quantitative research.
In this study, convenience sampling (also known as availability sampling) was used to select the respondents for the quantitative phase of the study. This sampling technique is suitable for both qualitative and quantitative research (Etikan et al., 2016:3). Inclusion criteria included the following: women who possessed some form of a tertiary qualification in the frontline tasks of exploration, quantification, development, extraction and processing of mineral resources. This included women employed in positions that require technical skills within the mining value chain such as in geology, mining engineering, metallurgical engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, analytical chemistry, mine surveying as well as jewellery design and
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manufacturing. Exclusion criteria included women who were employed in administrative and supportive positions such as clerical, secretarial, catering, and nursing and health work. As will be seen in Chapter 5, an exception was made for a few respondents who stated that they were not employed in technical positions at the time of data collection due to pregnancy, injuries or other health-related issues, but had experience in technical occupations.
Due to Covid-19 and various lockdown restrictions that were imposed in the country during the data collection phase, access to various mines was difficult, necessitating the use of multiple platforms to garner respondents. Moreover, due to the general concerns about privacy and the protection of personal information in the country, there is currently no publicly available database of women in technical mining positions, therefore substantiating why convenience sampling was chosen. Convenience sampling is a non-probability sampling technique in which respondents or participants are chosen based on their availability or accessibility (Bryman, 2012:201; Waterfield, 2018:2). When used in quantitative research, convenience samples are criticised for their lack of assured representativeness, which makes estimating population parameters difficult and makes them prone to bias (Waterfield, 2018:2). Consequently, the results of the research cannot be generalised to the general population.
While convenience sampling has methodological limitations, its use can be mitigated by the following (Waterfield, 2018:2):
It provides a detailed description of the sample’s demographics and other characteristics, and, where possible, comparison to those of the relevant population, such that readers of the study can assess the representativeness of the sample.
It attempts to recruit all intended respondents to ensure that response bias or self-selection does not exacerbate a lack of representativeness.
It ensures that respondents who are selected to form part of the sample are theoretically relevant to the study, avoiding selection solely based on convenience.
The above-mentioned factors were considered while conducting the research. In addition, convenience samples have been shown to be relevant for testing various theories and topics in social research (e.g. Asch, 1963; Festinger & Carlsmith, 1959; McCombs & Shaw, 1972; Milgram, 1963; Shock et al., 1984 all cited by Leiner, 2016:371). Even if the results cannot be generalised, it is argued that they contribute to a better understanding of their underlying processes (Etikan et al., 2016:3; Mook, cited by Leiner, 2016:371).
Furthermore, purposive and convenience sampling was used to select the participants for the qualitative phase of the research. Purposive sampling is adopted when the researcher targets individuals with specific traits that are of interest or relevant to the study (Turner, 2019:11).
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Inclusion criteria included human resource personnel of different mines who were purposely targeted to be part of the study, as, in most cases, they are responsible for dealing with matters related to the attraction, engagement and retention of women in technical mining positions.
Personnel not directly involved in or knowledgeable about the attraction, engagement, and retention of women in technical mining positions were excluded. Those who participated were readily and easily accessible. What was critical was that the research participants needed to be relevant to answer the study’s research objectives.
1.6.6.4 Sample size
Given that the study used non-probability sampling, the sample size could not be determined in advance. In view of this, a total of 282 women in technical mining positions completed the structured questionnaire. The achieved sample size is comparable to previous studies conducted on women in mining (Botha, 2014 [156]; De Klerk, 2012 [100]; Mangaroo-Pillay, 2018 [165]).1 In addition, 11 employer representatives participated in the qualitative phase of data collection in the research.