A Study of Shelters for Street Children from an Organizational ...

3.4 The Researcher in Qualitative Inquiry
The researcher in focus group interviews functions in several capacities concurrently:
as a listener, observer, moderator, record-keeper and later analyser of data and
according to Krueger (1988:30) is the inductive thinker. The researcher is, arguably, as
significant in qualitative study, just as much as in other inquiries. In this regard,
Neuman (1997:332-333) addresses the integrity of the researcher; while Fay
(1997:216-219) argues for accountability in social science, and Henning, et al. (2003)
argues for craftsmanship of the researcher. The person of the researcher not only
determines the design, and data collection but how to make use of the research
findings. It is worth mentioning here, as Fay (1997:199-205) argues, that objectivism
without self evaluation of the researcher is liable to abuse for propaganda purposes
which for decades has plagued social science research findings (Terre Blanche and
Durrheim, 1999:11). In this regard, the researcher's motivation, commitment,
perception and the whole process of craftsmanship are the hallmark of this endeavour.
The researcher was aware of the vulnerability and potentiality to abuse of children
living and/or working on the streets.
3.5 Sampling and Data Collection
In this study non-probability sampling procedures were used and the method of
purposive sampling was found reliable. Babbie and Mouton (2001: 164) describe
sampling in social science research 'technical' in this regard, purposive sampling
technique enabled the researcher to select four different units of analysis thus shelters,
managers, staff, and children (residents) they were the sources of information and
data. Four shelters, i.e. A, B, C, and D, were visited having been identified and
selected as we discussed earlier. In each shelter, the manager was interviewed, and
two separate focus group sessions held one each with staff and children. The size of
each focus group composed of eight participants, making a total of 64 participants. The
'n' of the sample size was 72 made up of four shelters, four shelter managers, thirty
two shelter staff, and thirty two shelter residents. The interviewees presented rather
than represented the views and experiences of the shelter staff and Residents.
Interviews with shelters managers were scheduled to last one and a half hours,
however some sessions exceeded the time limit but not beyond two hours maximum.
Focus group discussions sessions lasted a little longer but depended on talkativeness,
concentration and interest on the topics of the participants. Babbie and Mouton (2001:
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