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Research data collection methods are methods that are used to gather the required data in order to carry out the research. There are various data collection methods, including literature reviews, interviews, questionnaires and observations.

2.4.5.1 Literature review

According to Creswell (2003) a literature review shares with the researcher the results of other studies that have been conducted that are related to the current study while highlighting the importance and need of the current study. A literature review is an argument of why the proposed research is needed in relation to what preceded it and what is happening (Denzin & Lincoln, 2011).

2.4.5.2 Interviews

An interview is an in-depth, planned and scheduled account of events of the past (Denzin & Lincoln, 2011). There are three types of interviews (Cohen & Crabtree, 2008):

- Structured interviews. In structured interviews the interviewer asks each interviewee the same questions, in the same order keeping the questions consistent with each interview. These questions are created prior to the interview and have limited responses.

- Semi-structured. The interviewer and interviewee engage in a formal interview.

The interviewer develops the list of questions that need to be covered during the conversation. These questions are followed but the researcher is able to stray from the questions when it is appropriate.

- Unstructured. The interviewer has a plan in mind regarding the focus and goal of

the interview. There are no structured interview questions. The interviewer allows for the interviewee to answer in a way that they can express themselves and open up. Questions are open-ended and express little control over the interviewee‟s responses.

35 Interviews can be audio or video recorded and later translated and transcribed. Even though these can be expensive and time-consuming methods, they ensure that the information collected during the interview is accurate.

2.4.5.3 Questionnaires

Questionnaires have a set series of questions that the respondent will answer. According to Bryman and Bell (2007) questionnaires have several advantages and disadvantages over interviews. The advantages of questionnaires are that they are cheaper and quicker to administer, the respondent cannot be influenced by the interviewer as the questionnaire is done in private and it is convenient because the respondent can fill it in at his own pace and at his own time. The disadvantages of questionnaires are that there is no one to help the respondents if they do not understand a question, the researcher cannot probe the respondents to elaborate on their answers and it is difficult to ask a lot of questions because the respondent might get tired and not answer all questions as required.

2.4.5.4 Observations

Observations allow the researcher to take notes on the behaviour and activities of individuals at the research site (Creswell, 2003). Observations require that the researcher be in the same environment as the participant. Through observation, the researcher better understands the participants‟ interaction with the environment and the technology used.

2.4.5.5 Research data collection methods used in this study

Three data collection methods were utilised to collect the data that was used in the study:

Literature Review

In this study, a literature review was conducted through the reading of books, journals, other theses and articles so that knowledge can be gained in the fields of

36 the health care industry, HCBC, mobile health, socio-technical theory and its application in HCBC and other contexts. The data collected from the literature review is considered secondary data as it is collected from sources that are already in existence.

Semi-structured interviews

Semi-structured interviews are less rigid than structured interviews because they allow the participants to add more questions and have more answers if there is a need, furthering the information gained from the interview. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with CHCWs. The interview questions are attached as Appendix A. The CHCWs were interviewed so that the researcher could understand the problems that they are faced with using paper-based data collection systems and also to understand the advantages (and challenges) that the use of mobile devices has brought into the HCBC environment. To record their answers during the interviews the researcher used field notes and also a voice recorder. The interview data is considered primary data as it is generated from an original source.

Observations

In this research, observations enabled the researcher to better understand the environment that the health care worker works in and to identify the socio-technical issues affecting the health care worker. The observations were carried out of CHCWs. After the interviews, the health care workers were followed and observed in the execution of their daily work in the community. With the consent of the participants, video footage was recorded. The consent form for the CHCW is attached as Appendix B. When the video footage was taken, the camera was positioned in a way to protect the patients‟ privacy/identification, as the focus of the study was not the patient.

The research process and design have been discussed in previous sections. The data collection methods that were used in this research have also been discussed. Table 2.2 maps the research questions and objectives to the data collection techniques to show which data collection methods were used to answer the corresponding question and achieve the relevant objective.

37 Research Questions Research Objectives Data Collection

Techniques What is the role of HCBC

in healthcare provision in developing countries?

Ascertain the role of HCBC in health care provision in developing countries.

Literature review Interviews

What are the current and potential uses of ICTs, specifically mobile devices, in the broader health care and HCBC contexts?

Establish how ICTs and specifically mobile devices are used in health care, including the HCBC context.

Literature review Interviews

Which factors can be identified that impact the use of mobile device for remote data collection in the HCBC context?

Determine the factors that influence the use of mobile devices for remote data collection in the HCBC context

Literature review Interviews

Observations

Table 2.2 List of secondary research questions, objectives and the data collection techniques used for each.