Interviews and group discussions were content-‐coded using dedicated software. The codes are linked to the factors (e.g. trust and self-‐confidence) and the categories discussed in the literature review Chapter (e.g. social context and resources; see section 2.5 of previous Chapter). The categories – including the factors which make up these categories – and the interview questions were drawn up in tandem in an
iterative process and thus inform one another. Using NVivo8 software, transcripts of interviews and other recorded material, I was able to code, structure and organise data collected as factors and under categories – including common themes, ideas, issues or questions – for subsequent analysis. The software provides a system to code and organise information from subjective and disorganised speech in interview recordings and transcripts. It is a heuristic device to make sense of the information gathered and not a rigid classification system or taxonomy of deconstructed speech.
For this reason, data might be applicable to more than one coding category.
An important differentiation made in this dissertation is that all quotes from data have been transcribed verbatim, with minor grammatical corrections for the purpose of clarity of language.
The following sections outline the categories used for coding and organising the data.
3.3.1 Personal Experiences and Background (PEB) 84
Within this category are responses providing information about respondents’
background characteristics, prior to AbM membership. The responses that fall within this category relate to their membership, and/or participation, in other groups or organisations – such as student unions, work unions, anti-‐apartheid movements, church and etc. – and individuals’ description of these experiences. If respondents were involved in the past with other organisations, they were asked about their
engagement in activities, roles, responsibilities, and what has changed in their life after their participation in that – or those – particular organisation(s).
Even though this represents only a partial description of individuals’ personal
experiences and background (PEB) – excluding important aspects of community life – this category is mostly used for comparison when looking at the current AbM
environment. Furthermore, the events AbM members choose to share in the
interviews “are at least a subset of those that made a meaningful contribution to their development as they see it” (Watts et al., 2003, p.190). In other words, what
respondents choose to reveal is significant because they self-‐identified these episodes as important in their political voice development.
General demographic information was also discussed, such as gender, age, nationality, home region – if moved from rural areas, when did that happen and for what reason(s) – religion, first language – mostly to identify different ethnical groups – education level, language skills (proficiency in English), if they own or rent a shack; employment status;
and income (even if coming from donations, family, or government grant).85
84 Chapter 4, on contextual background, provides more information which supports the personal experiences and background analysis in Chapter 6.
85 This data was presented in this Chapter in section 3.2.2.
Moreover, participants were asked about the availability of ICTs’ – prior to and after joining AbM –, individual use, and how they communicate, with whom and for what purposes. Interviewees were asked about access to internet and mobile phone – e.g. if they had access to a computer and internet, where, how and cost of access (e.g. time paid at internet cafés and transportation to access points); if they owned a mobile phone, or had access through someone else’s (family, friend); how much they spent per month on airtime; what percentage of that expenditure was dedicated to AbM related activities. Furthermore, for what purposes, and with whom, they were using ICTs, and specific tools (e.g. SMS, email, chat), and how this related to AbM activities (e.g. organising meetings, mobilizing, passing on information). General accounts of ICTs’ use could be described by a respondent, while explaining the links and context in which they took place.
3.3.2 Social context
This category focuses on the context of AbM, and contains responses about the period since individuals joined AbM up to the data collection point (January to June 2010).
Social context is found in the communication processes and personal interactions described in interviews and observed through participant observation. Social context includes participation in activities, meetings, exchanges with members (and non-‐
members), family, religion, and communities, which were established or affected following their joining of AbM. This means that the social context only covers relations that are connected to AbM of which individuals are part of. As described in the
literature review Chapter, much of the dynamics which compose collective processes of social movements, can be identified through social context.
Data categorised as social context contains information relating to why they decided to join AbM and under what circumstances. Furthermore, descriptions about which activities, events, they took part in, in which way and what they consider the most important activities carried out by AbM. Information about whom they related to, for the activities described – member and non-‐member of AbM – and what kind of responsibilities they had (e.g. organising transportation for meetings, calling the
housing department). Beyond organisational aspects, descriptions of personal links – e.g. emotional support – that might have been created as a result of their engagement with AbM. Statements about group dynamics and individual’s influence within the organisation, are also categorised here.
The objective was to identify factors such as the ones suggested in the literature review Chapter – e.g. solidarity, trust, sense of belonging, development of capabilities (related to collective action), self-‐organisation, as well as an indication of the
importance of ICTs within AbM activities.
3.3.3 Resources
Within the resources category, data was collected on the channels of communication, opportunities, and development of skills, capabilities and experiences generated by, for example, the interactions, participation in events, and interpersonal links identified within AbM (social context). These include, for instance, identifying whether
exchanges with external supporters or experts can support the development of skills and capabilities.
Collecting data on an individual’s perspectives on ways to communicate (face-‐to-‐face or ICTs based) are another important focus of this category. Understanding whether there is a difference between different channels of communication may enable the identification of how these different channels of communication affect the
development of skills and capabilities. Interview questions asked about information on language used to communicate, perceived difference in use of technologies, preferred means of communication, as well as reasons and purposes for the communication.
3.3.4 Sense of Agency
The aim of this category is to identify some of the common factors amongst AbM members, which reflect individuals’ feelings of being capable and empowered to act.
As suggested in the literature review Chapter, factors such as solidarity, self-‐
confidence and independency represent indicators of sense of agency. This category thus contains data about motivations behind joining actions, reactions to government policy, speaking up, etc. It represents the link between attitudes and action.
Descriptions by respondents about the use of ICTs, or whether the demand to use emerged, are described in this category. It might include, for instance, the importance of solidarity and self-‐confidence as incentives for ICTs use. Descriptions of events such as crises, conflict resolution, mobilization, where the need for ICTs was required, might provide with context to understand the choice, and motivation, behind the use of these technologies.
3.3.5 Reflection
Data on reflection was collected and analysed through an individuals’ self-‐reported perceptions and reflective dialogue.86 Reflection contains two different contexts – before and after joining AbM. However, this category is fuzzy as there is no direct question asked about an individual’s reflection, but general questions about experiences, views, and interpretations of actions and events.
This category includes, for example, experiences of realization, development of
emotions and views on skills and ICTs being used for AbM related activities. The ability to identify changes (e.g. knowledge, awareness) represents the process of reflecting.
3.3.6 Action: Political Voice
This category contains information on actions, or political voice, of AbM members after they joined the organisation. It is important, however, to make a distinction between an individual’s political voice and his or her contribution to organisational political voice. The organisational political voice includes different actions (e.g.
handling of court cases, contributing to the website, etc.), which do not necessarily
86 Reflective dialogue refers to the collective opportunities, in which individuals reflect together. See further description in the literature review Chapter, section 2.5.5.
represent the voice of individual members. However, indirectly, the organisational political voice, may have an effect, or feeds back into, the individuals’ expression of political voice.
An individuals’ political voice can be expressed in different ways. For instance, through the choice and conscious participation in AbM’s expression of political voice – e.g.
marches, campaigns, etc. Participating in internal events and actively expressing their views – e.g. meetings, forums, camps; by using the information acquired, experiences, skills and capabilities to engage with local councillors, government officials, services providers, etc. – might be considered as other forms of expression.
More concrete identification of the use of ICTs for the expression of political voice is included in this category. At the organisational level, for instance, AbM’s publications (e.g. press releases, critical articles, web content) represent a source of political voice representative of the grassroots organisation’s decisions and critiques. At the
individual level, examples of mobile phone use to communicate with the media, or to discuss issues with government officials also fall into this category.