implementation. Part E aimed at attaining more data regarding environmental awareness and perception. Most questions were designed to probe and double-check these later responses against those of the earlier sections.
Questionnaire B had four sections with open and closed-ended questions, but most were of the former type (Refer Appendix 2). Section A involved questions mainly about the perception of the environment, and was aimed at assessing the general attitudes.
Section B, entitled "River Management", had questions which focused on finding out about the involvement of the respondents in the community environmental management issues. The respondents were questioned about LA 21 principles, in order to further determine the extent of their awareness. This section was also aimed at finding whether the local authorities understand their expected roles and responsibilities to the community as outlined in the Local Agenda 21.
Section C entitled "Partnerships" had open and closed-ended questions. This section aimed at assessing the participation of the local authorities in community projects and partnerships, in order to understand how they perceived the issue of engaging in partnerships with the community.
population was identified during the observation process and a purposlve sampling approach was used. These individuals were interviewed separately, at different times and in their place of preference. The sampling population consisted of the individuals residing in KwaMashu, focusing on section C and K. Representatives from the KDBA, local authorities and other CBOs were included in the sampling frame. As Palys (1997) notes the population of a study is defined by the geographic boundary and the characteristics of the population. The total number of people consists of 39 from KDA and 58 from KDI. A 20% sampling rule has been applied, as it was assumed that 20%
of the individuals located in the areas where there are stream-related environmental problems and who have been involved in partnerships, would reflect the attitudes of the targeted population. As Sarantakos (1993) emphasized, a small number of units of the target population can be studied in order to obtain data that is representative of the whole target population.
4.6.1 Sampling procedure
Robinson (1998) notes that there are two sampling procedures that may be followed in order to draw a sample of the population, and these are random/probability sampling or non-probability sampling. Random/probability sampling provides a high degree of representativeness and high generalisation of results (Sarantakos 1993). It would include simple random selection, or may be in the form of systematic, stratification, proportionate, disproportionate, multi-stage, and probability propOliionate-to-size sampling. In this research a non-probability purposive sampling approach has been used. Non-probability purposive sampling implies that a selection of sample members are drawn and assessed according to the judgement of the researcher.
Apart from households that were identified as units of study, the researcher had to select individuals who were relevant to the research topic (those participating in partnerships and those who were involved in activities along the stream). The selection process (of the respondents) depended largely on their availability. Because of time constraints, a strict once off call-back regime was adopted before discarding the contact if there was no response. There were no non-responses.
4.6.2 Data collection procedure
Data was collected so that the perceptions of the community regarding partnerships and the environment, in relation to the stream clean-up, rehabilitation and management could be analysed. The data collection steps of this research project included setting the boundaries for the study, and then collecting information based on observations, interviews, and visual materials available. A protocol for recording information was also established. In April 2001, assessment of a site was undertaken for observation purposes and key stakeholders were identified. The site had to be visited on four different days to allow for additional activities that might not have been identified initially. One month was spent conducting preliminary interviews with the key stakeholders. This was because appointments had to be organized with the offices of the stakeholders, and it was difficult to meet them all in a single day. The interviews, using a questionnaire, were conducted in July 2001, and encompassed a period of two weeks. In total, 22 questionnaires were completed and used to assess the perceptions of the community.
4.6.3 Data sources and gathering
Data gathering strategies used in this study include the following:
• taking notes as an observer;
• conducting unstructured and semi-structured interviews and transcribing them; and
• obtaining relevant documents and photographs of the area.
Both secondary and primary data sources were used for providing the framework of this research project. Secondary data was obtained from reviewing literature and existing documents on the study area. Primary data was collected through interviewing the community and relevant officials, and by means of a survey using a questionnaire.
4.6.4 Data analysis and interpretation
Once the survey was completed, data was coded. Open-ended format questions were categorised. This was done by making a crude listing of the main categories of answers and recording the number of responses within each category. Similar answers were
combined. These responses were then interpreted within the theoretical framework of the study.
A qualitative (or analytic induction) methodology of analysis was applied to the findings in this study. Qualitative research is generally concerned with issues relating to process and meaning. Analysis of qualitative data ranges from simple enumeration and illustrative use to complex analysis requiring specialist expertise and extensive time (Silverman 1993). A great deal of work precedes data analyses when using questionnaires to collect information. This includes data preparation which involves checking or logging the data for accuracy, entering the information on a computer, transforming the data, and developing and documenting a database structure (Silverman
1993).
In this study, the researcher worked through a structured approach to analysing qualitative data, based on an iterative process of interpreting (Strauss 1987), grouping, summarizing, finding patterns, discovering relationships, and developing and testing relationships that emerged. The study has been designed to describe and analyse the emergence, implementation and effectiveness of community partnerships. In defining and analysing the partnerships developed by the community, Long and Arnold's (1995) model was used as a guide. It became necessary to define the features of each partnership, focusing on the roles and characteristics of individuals who participated in the implementation of a project through partnerships. Several factors were taken into account including a historical overview of the area (focusing on political factors), capacity building, and the type of partnership adopted by each group (as defined by Long and Arnold, 1995).
As discussed in chapter 2, two case studies involving partnerships were examined using the qualitative approach, whereby data was coded and interpreted in order to discover social facts and to make available information about the reality of partnerships in KwaMashu. A semi-structured approach to the collection of data facilitated the cataloguing of the actual words of the subjects, which could then be retrieved and interpreted. Responses were coded and similar responses were grouped thematically.
4.7 Conclusion
This chapter has provided motivation as to why the qualitative research approach was considered the best tool in a study of this nature as the focus falls on intensive information analysis rather than a broader view of the subject. Furthermore, a qualitative method is the best research rationale for discovering underlying influences, feelings, values, attitudes and perceptions. It allows for adjusting areas of exploration as the study progresses.
Different data gathering tools were used in this study. An initial observation process, in order to identify naturally occurring data, and preliminary interviews were deemed necessary. As Silverman (1993) notes, it is appropriate to engage in a systematic observation before any interviewing takes place. The use of case studies in this research allowed for an intensive examination of the partnerships involved.
CHAPTERS
ANALYSIS