• probing for responses (ensure that the interviewee understands exactly what is
asked and that the response is applicable to what was asked).
As the research followed a mixed-method approach, both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were utilised.
9.4.1 Quantitative Data Collection
In the study, a semi-structured questionnaire was utilised to gather data. This
questionnaire was utilised in order to give a flow of the required information and
some element of structure in the gathering of data. The questionnaire was instrumental in allowing and giving the researcher an opportunity to probe more and have
a systematic flow of information. However, it is essential to state that the quantitative
data was mainly focused on the biographic data. Quantitative data collection focuses
on data that can be measured, it is effective at answering the “what” or “how” of a
given question, it is concerned with collecting and analysing data that is structured
and can be represented numerically. The statistical information was utilised to plot
different biographical attributes that could influence the usage of IKS in sustainable
agriculture. The quantitative data forms a good foundation for understanding and
better probing the qualitative data.
9.4.2 Qualitative Data Collection
Qualitative research is the development of concepts which help us to understand
social phenomena in natural (rather than experimental) settings, giving due emphasis
to the meanings, experiences, and views of the participants (Pope and Mays 1995).
Qualitative research is aimed at understanding and solving social problems and
phenomena. It is aimed at answering the question of “why” and “how”. In the
study, the focus was on understanding why communities use IKS, how they use
IKS in sustainable agriculture and the impact, and benefit that the choice of the
farming process has on them and the community. Qualitative research furthermore
aims to help researchers to understand the world in which they live and why things
are the way they are; it is concerned with the social aspects of our world and seeks to
answer questions about:
• Why people behave the way they do?
• How opinions and attitudes are formed?
• How are people affected by the events that go on around them?
• How and why cultures have developed in the way they have?
These questions were aligned in the process of collecting data as the researcher
needed to understand why the choice of a particular agricultural process, the view of
the participants on the subject of IKS, and how the agricultural choice impacts the
9 Assessing the Impact of Indigenous Knowledge Systems on Sustainable. . .
191
asked and that the response is applicable to what was asked).
As the research followed a mixed-method approach, both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were utilised.
9.4.1 Quantitative Data Collection
In the study, a semi-structured questionnaire was utilised to gather data. This
questionnaire was utilised in order to give a flow of the required information and
some element of structure in the gathering of data. The questionnaire was instrumental in allowing and giving the researcher an opportunity to probe more and have
a systematic flow of information. However, it is essential to state that the quantitative
data was mainly focused on the biographic data. Quantitative data collection focuses
on data that can be measured, it is effective at answering the “what” or “how” of a
given question, it is concerned with collecting and analysing data that is structured
and can be represented numerically. The statistical information was utilised to plot
different biographical attributes that could influence the usage of IKS in sustainable
agriculture. The quantitative data forms a good foundation for understanding and
better probing the qualitative data.
9.4.2 Qualitative Data Collection
Qualitative research is the development of concepts which help us to understand
social phenomena in natural (rather than experimental) settings, giving due emphasis
to the meanings, experiences, and views of the participants (Pope and Mays 1995).
Qualitative research is aimed at understanding and solving social problems and
phenomena. It is aimed at answering the question of “why” and “how”. In the
study, the focus was on understanding why communities use IKS, how they use
IKS in sustainable agriculture and the impact, and benefit that the choice of the
farming process has on them and the community. Qualitative research furthermore
aims to help researchers to understand the world in which they live and why things
are the way they are; it is concerned with the social aspects of our world and seeks to
answer questions about:
• Why people behave the way they do?
• How opinions and attitudes are formed?
• How are people affected by the events that go on around them?
• How and why cultures have developed in the way they have?
These questions were aligned in the process of collecting data as the researcher
needed to understand why the choice of a particular agricultural process, the view of
the participants on the subject of IKS, and how the agricultural choice impacts the
9 Assessing the Impact of Indigenous Knowledge Systems on Sustainable. . .
191