COMPARACIÓN DE RESULTADOS AMBIENTALES

3.6.1 Introduction

Miles and Huberman (1994) noted a difference between ―tight‖ and ―loose‖ qualitative research designs. Tight research designs are characterised by narrow and restricted questions and by pre-structured selection procedures. It is tight in the sense that the researcher does not deviate and explore other issues in the data or information collection process. It acts as a guide to guide the researcher to remain focussed on the main issues. These conditions apply to the current project, suggesting that a tight research design was appropriate. Personal safety concerns meant it was prudent to use skilled interviewers unaffected by the conflict to conduct the majority of the interviews and for the researcher to oversee this process. This constraint also suggests a tight design is appropriate.

Two different questionnaires were used to measure the views of the two different types of survey respondent. The first questionnaire was directed at the smallholders. The second questionnaire was directed at the marketers.

3.6.2 Smallholder Questionnaire

Information was sought on the demographics of the smallholder respondents, the resources they owned and used in their production, the crops they grew, and how and where they marketed their produce. They were then asked to rate which vegetables fetched higher prices and which markets were paying higher prices. This was then followed with questions on the type of procurement systems they had with their trading partners and if there had been any changes in the procurement systems during the time they had been in business.

Smallholders were asked to respond to prepared statements about their ability to meet their buyers‘ requirements (perceived quality and value of fresh produce and consistency in quality and quantity of fresh produce). These statements were based on the findings of the literature review outlined in Chapter 2. The statements were measured on a 3-point scale from 1 (Always Meet) to 3 (Hardly Meet). The farmers were then asked to describe if they were satisfied with their relationship with the trading partners. The various statements presented were developed from the buyer-seller relationship perspective. These were measured on a 3- point scale, from 1(Agree) to 3 (Disagree). Finally, smallholders were asked to respond to further statements about their overall satisfaction with the buyers‘ ability to meet their needs and their willingness to continue trading with them. These statements were also measured on a 3-point scale from 1 (Satisfied) to 3 (Dissatisfied). Note that while 3 point scales only allow relatively crude perceptions to be elicited, it was reasoned that 5 or 7 point scales would impose undesirable complexity, with the risk of compromising participation. In addition, the questionnaires were ambitious, trying to measure a large number of variables. The need for simplicity and ease of scoring thus led to reliance on these truncated scales.

3.6.3 Marketers’ Questionnaire

At the end of each smallholder interview, they were asked to identify their trading partners. A list of marketing intermediaries they sold to was provided but logistical and security issues limited interviews to only marketing agents in the local area. Given that the marketing agents (marketers) were growers as well as buyers and marketers, questions were asked on their growing and marketing activities. Information was sought on the demographics of the respondents, resources owned and used in their production and marketing, and how they marketed their produce. In this respect, they were asked what proportion of produce marketed was procured from the smallholders and where they sold the produce they had for sale. They were then asked which vegetables fetched higher prices and which markets were paying higher prices. This was then followed with questions on the type of procurement systems they had with their partners and if there had been any changes in the procurement systems during the time they had been in business.

Marketers were then asked to respond to a similar set of prepared statements about their ability to meet buyers‘ requirements (perceived quality and value of fresh produce and consistency in quality and quantity of fresh produce). They were also asked if their suppliers (smallholders) met these requirements when they sold to them. Finally, the marketers were asked to rank statements on the level of satisfaction with their relationship with the trading partners, including both their suppliers (smallholders) and their buyers.

3.6.4 Interviewer training and pilot survey

As noted previously, actually interviewing was done by skilled interviewers, who were overseen by the researcher. These interviewers were FPDA staff who were carefully briefed

by the researcher. These interviewers were assisted by two enumerators from each of the two ward councils. The enumerators only assisted when language became a barrier. Hence, little training was required as FPDA staff were skilled, familiar with such surveys, and were well- versed in the local area and cultures. The questionnaire was tested through a pilot study. After identifying flaws, adjustments were made to the final questionnaires and finalised copies were printed. Although the questionnaire itself was expressed in English, interviews were conducted in Pidgin, the (PNG national language), but recorded in English. The researcher checked all questionnaires as they were completed. Arrangements were then made to correct any obvious errors and oversights, and to gain further information if answers were unclear.