45
research process; therefore, the participants’ first
language(s) is usually preferred since it facilitates them representing their sense of self and
worldview (Shimpuku and Norr 2012; Lu and
Gatua 2014). It is important to note that not all
researchers would have language skills in the target population’s first language(s). Such deficiency in language may pose difficulties in the
collection of data in the field (Temple and Young
2004). Although a native of SVG and fluent in the
local dialect, I had to ask the participants to speak
slower as there were instances when it was quite
challenging to comprehend due to variations at
the community level. A group of youth volunteers were recruited and trained to assist with the
translation of dialect to English and vice versa.
The young volunteers were instrumental in either
requesting participants to explain further what
they were saying or to speak more slowly. In
most instances, the volunteers assisted with the
translation of the local dialect.
Other aspects about the choice of language
which was considered included (1) the language
which is generally used in discussing the topic outside of the research among the participants
involved in the research process and (2) the level
of impact the choice of language would have on
studies (Lu and Gatua 2014). English is viewed by
most youth as a colonial (oppressive/“Babylonian”)
language used by adults, the government/institutions and the elite. It is not commonly spoken in
most homes nor during social and cultural activities conducted by youth.
However, English is quite popular among policymakers and senior officials because it is the
language of instruction in the public services and
other formal settings in SVG.
Translation is defined as the process that
“packages the data into a form that fits the tools
we have for handling it” (Temple and Young
2004:166). It is important to consider whether
there are potential semantic losses of data during
translation and whether there are inherent difficulties in translating the cultural meanings rooted
in the language (Temple and Young 2004). To
minimise this issue, the team was trained as volunteers to engage young people from the communities to participate in the FGDs, assisted with
notetaking and with the interpretation of the dialects. Questions were asked during the FGDs to
seek clarification on any issue that arose during
the actual session.
Temple and Young (2004) state that the choice
of when and how to translate language is an essential consideration for researchers and will depend
on the level of resources available. Translating
data into plain English is an expensive and timeconsuming process. During the research process,
the translators were also involved in discussions
about perspective and outcomes of the process. A
year after the initial data was collected, the initial
translators reviewed and clarified issues relating
to the translation of source data.
Summary of Analyses of the TopDown and Bottom-Up Approaches
from Data Collected
from Interviews with Policymakers
and Senior Officials and Focus
Group Discussions with Youth
Thematic analysis was used to classify the codes
evolving from the interviews with policymakers
and senior officials of the Government of SVG
and FGDs with youth into clusters (Appendix 2
and 3). These clusters were further refined into
themes and sub-themes. The key themes which
evolved from the thematic analysis exercise were
climate change, community, youth preparedness
and change enablers. Change enablers were
divided into two categories: (1) change enablers
which lead to youth empowerment and (2) change
enablers which lead to adaptation. NVivo 11 was
used to aid the selection and analysis of the relevant quotes relating to themes and sub-themes.
Quotes from the coding framework and notes
taken during interviews and FGD sessions
formed the analysis.
Climate Change
All policymakers and senior officials participating in the interviews acknowledged climate
change as the most devastating challenge facing
Summary of Analyses of the Top- Down and Bottom-Up Approaches from Data Collected…
research process; therefore, the participants’ first
language(s) is usually preferred since it facilitates them representing their sense of self and
worldview (Shimpuku and Norr 2012; Lu and
Gatua 2014). It is important to note that not all
researchers would have language skills in the target population’s first language(s). Such deficiency in language may pose difficulties in the
collection of data in the field (Temple and Young
2004). Although a native of SVG and fluent in the
local dialect, I had to ask the participants to speak
slower as there were instances when it was quite
challenging to comprehend due to variations at
the community level. A group of youth volunteers were recruited and trained to assist with the
translation of dialect to English and vice versa.
The young volunteers were instrumental in either
requesting participants to explain further what
they were saying or to speak more slowly. In
most instances, the volunteers assisted with the
translation of the local dialect.
Other aspects about the choice of language
which was considered included (1) the language
which is generally used in discussing the topic outside of the research among the participants
involved in the research process and (2) the level
of impact the choice of language would have on
studies (Lu and Gatua 2014). English is viewed by
most youth as a colonial (oppressive/“Babylonian”)
language used by adults, the government/institutions and the elite. It is not commonly spoken in
most homes nor during social and cultural activities conducted by youth.
However, English is quite popular among policymakers and senior officials because it is the
language of instruction in the public services and
other formal settings in SVG.
Translation is defined as the process that
“packages the data into a form that fits the tools
we have for handling it” (Temple and Young
2004:166). It is important to consider whether
there are potential semantic losses of data during
translation and whether there are inherent difficulties in translating the cultural meanings rooted
in the language (Temple and Young 2004). To
minimise this issue, the team was trained as volunteers to engage young people from the communities to participate in the FGDs, assisted with
notetaking and with the interpretation of the dialects. Questions were asked during the FGDs to
seek clarification on any issue that arose during
the actual session.
Temple and Young (2004) state that the choice
of when and how to translate language is an essential consideration for researchers and will depend
on the level of resources available. Translating
data into plain English is an expensive and timeconsuming process. During the research process,
the translators were also involved in discussions
about perspective and outcomes of the process. A
year after the initial data was collected, the initial
translators reviewed and clarified issues relating
to the translation of source data.
Summary of Analyses of the TopDown and Bottom-Up Approaches
from Data Collected
from Interviews with Policymakers
and Senior Officials and Focus
Group Discussions with Youth
Thematic analysis was used to classify the codes
evolving from the interviews with policymakers
and senior officials of the Government of SVG
and FGDs with youth into clusters (Appendix 2
and 3). These clusters were further refined into
themes and sub-themes. The key themes which
evolved from the thematic analysis exercise were
climate change, community, youth preparedness
and change enablers. Change enablers were
divided into two categories: (1) change enablers
which lead to youth empowerment and (2) change
enablers which lead to adaptation. NVivo 11 was
used to aid the selection and analysis of the relevant quotes relating to themes and sub-themes.
Quotes from the coding framework and notes
taken during interviews and FGD sessions
formed the analysis.
Climate Change
All policymakers and senior officials participating in the interviews acknowledged climate
change as the most devastating challenge facing
Summary of Analyses of the Top- Down and Bottom-Up Approaches from Data Collected…