EFECTOS DE LA INMOVILIDAD

The empirical component of this study focused on the realities of the legal professional and ethical responsibilities of EHPs. Putting this in another way, the empirical ethics component of this research project attempts to determine how realities on the ground match with the ideals. This empirical component of the study had two key objectives: (i) first to explore the awareness and understanding among environmental health practitioners regarding their professional, ethical and legal responsibilities in practice, using eThekwini metropolitan municipality as a case study. (ii) Second, to examine challenges facing eThekwini environmental health practitioners in their daily practice that may arise from conflicting or competing responsibilities. 2.5.1 Step 1: Development of empirical data tools and pilot

Interview schedules consisting of semi-structured questions were developed for EHPs who were managers (EHMs) and general EHPs within the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Such interview schedules are attached as Annexure 1 and Annexure 2 respectively. These interview instruments were piloted or pre-tested on a similar group of participants to check the correctness of the instruments and identify areas needing adjustments so as to enhance validity of data collection. In this case, I conducted the pre-test with four fellow colleagues: two were EHPs not in the employment of the municipality and two were academic EHPs. A “pre-test or pilot study refers to the administration of a measuring instrument to a group of people to determine any difficulties that research participants may experience in answering questions” (Grinnell and Unrau, 2013, p.571). The pre-test participants were excluded from participation in the actual study and their feedback did not lead to changes to the research instruments, but has helped in affirming the clarity and relevance of the questions. The tool was thus deemed adequate.

2.5.2 Step 2: Data Collection via an Empirical Approach

I conducted all the interviews myself to ensure the reliability of the data collection process. Further, I separated the interview schedules for EHMs and the general EHPs so as to easily manage the data collection process.

Research participants were purposively selected from the supplied list of names and locations of all EHMs and EHPs within eThekwini metropolitan municipality. This was

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followed by arranging appointments and conducting of interviews with both EHMs and EHPs at times and venues that were convenient for them. Each research participant was issued with a study information sheet and informed consent form which detailed the process of the interview and the recording of the interview using a digital recorder. (More details on this aspect are provided in section 2.7 which deals with ethical considerations).

Research participants were asked to share their knowledge about ethics in environmental health and how it affected their work, their experience in handling public complaints, their understanding of the legal framework governing their profession, as well as the challenges they faced in carrying out their duties.

The interview process was divided into four main sections and the main questions addressed during empirical data collection are tabulated in Table 2.3. The interview schedule covered (i) the demographic data of the participants; (ii) questions on knowledge and awareness about ethics and professional responsibilities; (iii) questions on knowledge of legal guidelines for environmental health as well as (iv) questions designed to determine challenges experienced by EHPs during the execution of their duties.

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Table 2.3: Table showing the main questions and their purposes in line with the three aspects: legal, professional and ethical responsibilities of EHPs being addressed in this study

Section Question Purpose Location in

thesis L egal Re sp on sib il itie

s Q.11: Please tell me which _{main laws and policies you are}

using in guiding environmental health practice?

To determine the EHPs knowledge of applicable legislation in carrying out their work.

Chapter 4  4.4

Q.11.1.2: Please give examples

of any challenges you

encountered in applying the laws and policies?

To determine challenges EHPs faced when enforcing laws. Chapter 4:  4.6 Pr ofe ssi on al Re sp on sib il itie s

Q.8: I would like to know what

you understand to be the role of the HPCSA in environmental health profession?

To determine the knowledge and understanding EHPs have of the HPCSA which govern their profession.

Chapter 5:  5.5

Q.10: How do you feel about

belonging to a professional body and what are the reasons for being a member of such a body?

To find out the real reasons EHPs have for belonging to a professional body. Chapter 5:  5.4 E thical Re sp on sib il itie s

Q.1 Please tell me in your own

words, your understanding of the concept of ethics?

To determine what the understanding EHPs had of the ethics concept.

Chapter 6:  6.5.2

Q.2.1: Are there any ethical

guidelines that are used in your workplace?

To find out if there are any

ethical instruments that

EHPs use to guide their conduct at work, the aim being to determine the ethical infrastructure for

environmental health practice. Chapter 6: Generally covered in various parts of the thesis

Q.5: In your workplace, how

would you describe the ethics culture in terms of relationships with colleagues?

To discover the relationships amongst colleagues which might impact on their work ethic.

Chapter 6:  6.5.3

Q.3: Drawing from your own

experience, kindly describe what you regard as ethical challenges in the practice of environmental health?

To determine issues EHPs regard as ethical challenges in carrying out their duties.

Chapter 6:  6.5.4

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