Sampling refers to decisions taken on where to conduct the research and whom to involve (Creswell & Miller, 2000). According to De Vos &
Fouche (2002, p 283), a sample comprises the elements of the population considered for actual inclusion in the study. Stofile (2005, p 37), furthermore, describes sampling as the process which is employed in gathering potential participants. It has to be done whenever one can gather data from only a fraction of the population of a group or phenomena which one intends to study. Examples of sampling techniques include purposive, random and non random. Purposive sampling, as the name suggests, is used when the researcher has already identified the context and study participants with potential to yield data amiable to the purpose of the study. While, random sampling techniques give the most reliable representation of the whole population while non random techniques, relying on the judgment of the researcher or an accident, cannot generally be used to make generalizations about the whole population (Wellington, 2000). For the purposes of this research purposive sampling will be used. He researcher “handpicked”
the cases to be included in the sample based on judgment of the typicality and on experience of the control phenomenon (Cohen et al, 2007). With purposive sampling the researcher recognizes that there may be inherent variation in the population of interest (Wolcott, 2001).
The researcher attempts to control this by using subjective judgment to select the sample that the researcher believes to be a representation of the population. Purposive sampling can lead to very good samples, but 72
there is no guarantee that it will be successful (Cohen et al, 2007). Its success depends on two assumptions:
• The research can identify in advance the characteristics that collectively capture all variations.
• The chosen sample will correctly reflect the distribution of these characteristics (Wolcott, 2001).
Depending on the type of sampling chosen, Wolcott (2001) points out that it is usually possible at least in principle, to study all of the units that form the population of interest to the study. The reasons why this is rarely done are:
• Cost – There is often a real marginal cost, associated with the inclusion of each unit of the study, the cost of time of the researcher and the cost of the resources. So the budget may constrain the sample size.
• Feasibility – If results are needed by a particular deadline, there may be insufficient time to study all the units.
• Quality – Concentration of effort on sample can increase the quality of the research which may then lead to more accurate results.
4.6.1 Sampling of the Research Site
This study was conducted at a secondary school in the Umlazi district of Kwa-Zulu Natal. The researcher selected this school because it included the grades under study. The researcher is also an educator at the school. She observed the behavior of parents and wanted to explore the factors that promote parental involvement at this school.
73
4.6.1.1 The Research Site
A detailed description of the research site will follow so that other researchers and readers will understand the findings. The research site selected must maximize the opportunity to engage in the problem.
Savemore high was selected because the researcher is an educator at the school and this gives her maximum time at the school. A pseudo name has been used for purposes of confidentiality. A good knowledge of the community and learners is important and that is another reason this site was selected by the researcher. The school is easily accessible since the researcher teaches at the school. Data was collected over a period of two months from May 2012 to June 2012.
Savemore School is a combined school that is based in the Umlazi District, Kwazulu Natal. It caters for learners from grade R to grade 12.According to the principal of the school, the school has a population of 1420 learners. The school has 725(51%) African learners, 640(45%) Indian learners, 41(3%) Coloured and 14(1%) White. Many of the learners come from low income homes. There are also many learners that are from foster homes, single parent homes and child headed homes. There are forty educators on staff. The school management team consists of the Principal, two deputy heads and five heads of department. The schools governing body has been established and has seven serving parent members. The learner body is multilingual but the language of teaching and learning is English. The achievement of the learners at the school is average.
According to De Vos & Fouche (2005) in selecting a research field, the characteristics of the set-up should be studied carefully in order to ascertain the best field. An investigation into the various fields was done before this specific site was selected. The ideal research field according to De Vos (2005) is one that is easily accessible, where cop- operation with the respondents can easily be achieved. This is another
74
reason why Savemore High was selected. The community is well known to the researcher and the researcher is known in the community therefore there will be the element of trust and comfort.
4.6.2.2 Gaining Permission to enter the research site
Permission into the field will be gained from the relevant authorities.
Van der Burgh(2001) in De Vos, 2005, mentions that although permission by the relevant authorities is important, it is also important that all the people directly involved in the research should also be consulted in the process of gaining access. The researcher consulted with the principal of the school and the school governing body before commencing with the research. Permission from the parents was obtained since the learners were to be interviewed. Consent forms were given to the various participants.
Permission granted at the beginning of the research does not mean that the researcher is entitled to all information and should therefore gain further permission from time to time (De Vos & Fouche, 2005). Gaining admission to the research site can be a challenging task and it depends on the imagination of the researcher as well as his interpersonal and decision making skills. Silverman (2000) in Sheldon (2002) advises that, the researcher should treat the community with tact and openness to achieve more and to obtain permission readily.
4.6.2 Participants for Data Collection
The parents of learners from grade 10 to 12 were the participants of the semi structured interviews. After giving parents a brief description about the purpose of the research they were willing to participate in the study. The six parents that were interviewed were that of learners from grade 10 to 12. The interview enabled the researcher to gather
information about the factors promoting parental involvement of
75
learners. It was from this information that the researcher was able to identify the extent to which parents involve themselves, the reasons for the lack of parental involvement and the importance that parents place on school activities.
Six educators of learners from grades 10 to 12 were also exposed to the semi structured interviews. Two educators from each grade were selected. The parents and educator were selected randomly from the grades.
The learners from grade 10 to 12 were involved in the focus group discussion. Each grade was represented by four learners made up of two males and two females. The grouping of learners was made to accommodate both genders. This was done to ensure that gender based differences of perceptions, if any, and opinions if any would have been taken care of. Race was also considered when the selection was done. This was based on the demographics of the population of the school as indicated above.