8
J. Zahra and M. C. Mifsud
et al. (2006) discuss how qualitative researchers seek to make sense of reality and the
uniqueness of each individual, how they think and how they feel in face of particular
issues. It is also important to seek understanding through an insider’s perspective, an
“emic” perspective.
When doing qualitative research, the researcher must be aware of the risk of bias,
being aware that his/her interpretation of things is influenced by their own view of the
topic, thus having an influence on the interpretation of the results (Lichtman 2006).
Interpretative studies are the basis of this part of the research inquiry. “They provide
rich descriptive accounts targeted to understanding a phenomenon, a process, or a
particular point of view from the perspective of those involved” (Ary et al. 2006,
p. 463). Qualitative data, on the other hand lacks generalisation, because it is not its
aim to collect data from a large number of participants, focusing on quality rather
than quantity (Creswell and Clark 2011).
The method deemed to be the most adapt to gather qualitative data from the
farming sample, was through individual interviews. Interviews allow the data
collected to reflect the participants’ opinions, beliefs and feelings better (Ary et al.
2006). Neuman (2006) defines interviews as “a short-term, secondary social interaction between two strangers with the explicit purpose of one person’s obtaining
specific information from the other” (p. 305). The type of interview carried out is a
semi-structured interview. Semi-structured interviews minimise deviations by asking
open-ended questions, but yet allow for follow-up questions and probing questions
to clarify answers and go further in depth (Newby 2014).
The disadvantage of using interviews is that it provides the researcher with a large
volume of in-depth data in a relative short period of time. It is time-consuming to
analyse and classify the data collected through interviews (Ary et al. 2006). There is
also the risk of the interviewees not willing to provide certain information, or rather
providing false information (Ary et al. 2006). Cohen, Manion and Morrison (2007)
discuss how voice recording the interview allows the researcher to retain eye-contact
with the interviewee, although short note taking is also recommended. All of the
interviews conducted with farmers were audio-recorded, with their consent, and this
allowed for better communication while allowing the farmers to feel more at ease as
it was more conversational.
The interviews were carried out with 10 full-time arable farmers around Malta
and Gozo, one of which was a hydroponics farmer. In order to include the views
of organic farmers, another 2 interviews were conducted, totalling 12 interviews in
all. The participation in interviews was on a voluntarily bases. The participants were
selected through purposive sampling.
The aim of conducting interviews with full-time farmers was to seek their truthful
opinion on specific issues which are related to farming. During the interview, farmers
expressed their opinion and worldview on current issues related to the sustainability
of the agricultural industry on the Maltese Islands. The time spent answering questions and discussing issues ranged from twenty minutes to an hour and forty-five
minutes. The interviews proved to be of high interest and very fruitful as all farmers
showed great knowledge in their area of specialisation. Due to the very limited
J. Zahra and M. C. Mifsud
et al. (2006) discuss how qualitative researchers seek to make sense of reality and the
uniqueness of each individual, how they think and how they feel in face of particular
issues. It is also important to seek understanding through an insider’s perspective, an
“emic” perspective.
When doing qualitative research, the researcher must be aware of the risk of bias,
being aware that his/her interpretation of things is influenced by their own view of the
topic, thus having an influence on the interpretation of the results (Lichtman 2006).
Interpretative studies are the basis of this part of the research inquiry. “They provide
rich descriptive accounts targeted to understanding a phenomenon, a process, or a
particular point of view from the perspective of those involved” (Ary et al. 2006,
p. 463). Qualitative data, on the other hand lacks generalisation, because it is not its
aim to collect data from a large number of participants, focusing on quality rather
than quantity (Creswell and Clark 2011).
The method deemed to be the most adapt to gather qualitative data from the
farming sample, was through individual interviews. Interviews allow the data
collected to reflect the participants’ opinions, beliefs and feelings better (Ary et al.
2006). Neuman (2006) defines interviews as “a short-term, secondary social interaction between two strangers with the explicit purpose of one person’s obtaining
specific information from the other” (p. 305). The type of interview carried out is a
semi-structured interview. Semi-structured interviews minimise deviations by asking
open-ended questions, but yet allow for follow-up questions and probing questions
to clarify answers and go further in depth (Newby 2014).
The disadvantage of using interviews is that it provides the researcher with a large
volume of in-depth data in a relative short period of time. It is time-consuming to
analyse and classify the data collected through interviews (Ary et al. 2006). There is
also the risk of the interviewees not willing to provide certain information, or rather
providing false information (Ary et al. 2006). Cohen, Manion and Morrison (2007)
discuss how voice recording the interview allows the researcher to retain eye-contact
with the interviewee, although short note taking is also recommended. All of the
interviews conducted with farmers were audio-recorded, with their consent, and this
allowed for better communication while allowing the farmers to feel more at ease as
it was more conversational.
The interviews were carried out with 10 full-time arable farmers around Malta
and Gozo, one of which was a hydroponics farmer. In order to include the views
of organic farmers, another 2 interviews were conducted, totalling 12 interviews in
all. The participation in interviews was on a voluntarily bases. The participants were
selected through purposive sampling.
The aim of conducting interviews with full-time farmers was to seek their truthful
opinion on specific issues which are related to farming. During the interview, farmers
expressed their opinion and worldview on current issues related to the sustainability
of the agricultural industry on the Maltese Islands. The time spent answering questions and discussing issues ranged from twenty minutes to an hour and forty-five
minutes. The interviews proved to be of high interest and very fruitful as all farmers
showed great knowledge in their area of specialisation. Due to the very limited