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

esearchers need to agree or disagree on the methods used in measuring any variable.
Krueger (1988: 41) and Fay (1996: 136-140) argue that people are not always truthful
and information can be intentional or unintentional. The possibility of individuals
withholding necessary information and therefore the researcher deriving meaning from
misinformed background leads to scepticism or relativism. Henning, et al (2003: 131)
argues that validity depends on the good craftsmanship in an investigation. Validity in
this sense means competence and precision in the research process. Such a process
involved conceptualisation of the topic, research design, methodology and method, to
presentation of research findings. According to Patton, (1990) qualitative research
should meet certain criteria to address the issue of validity:
• The techniques and methods used to ensure the integrity, validity and accuracy
of findings
• The researcher's experience, perspectives and qualifications brought to the
study
• The paradigm orientation guiding the study
The character and person of the researcher has been discussed above. However as an
instrument of data collection in a qualitative inquiry, the issues of objectivity and
subjectivity raise concerns; so too the final interpretation and presentation of research
findings. It is arguable that these concerns were reflected in the researcher's
orientation and commitment. And all along the way the rigor of professionalism was
prevalent by the constant reference to the research purpose. The study endeavoured
to comprehend data categories, interpretation and explanations to present the views
and experiences of shelter managers, staff and residents. This consistent effort served
as a strong bond of the study's validity. Terre Blanche and Durrheim (1999: 128)
discusses triangulation as the craftsmanship of a researcher collecting data from
different and diverse sources this study elucidated information from various sources to
reveal the views and experiences of shelter managers, staff and residents.
The trend and themes of their responses were differently categorized to reflect their
views and experiences and the purposes of the study. The researcher triangulated the
responses from the four shelter managers, staff and residents to validate the sequence
of responses on a particular topic as the valid view of the respondents. The reasons
and rationale for using the qualitative approach was also influenced by the researcher's
appreciation of the field of study and application of interpretive procedures which are
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