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All responses from the participants at the PSF were grouped together, as were the
NSO resulting in a large data set. This was condensed into two coded documents each
approximately 20 pages in length. These documents were still too lengthy for the researcher
to use in the findings section on this study. On seeking advice from his supervisor, the
researcher reduced the data down to eight pages in length, resulting in a small and more
manageable data set. The researcher was able to achieve this be eliminating quotes that
were not relevant to the research, and in some areas of saturation, only include the most
essential quote. This document therefore contained the crucial data in which the researcher
was primarily interested.
3.5.2 Inter-rater Reliability
To alleviate the problem of bias that may jeopardize the credibility of the coding
process an intercoder agreement was necessary. After the initial coding process by the
researcher, data was also reviewed by one of the researcher’s supervisors. The purpose was
to see whether the supervisor agreed or disagreed with the initial coding process carried out
by the researcher. Any disagreements resulted in a discussion between the researcher and
the supervisor resulting in the correcting of any coding problems (Carey, Morgan, &
Oxtoby, 1996).
3.6 Ethics
Ethical approval was applied for through the Auckland University of Technology
Ethics Committee (AUTEC) (refer to appendix 2). Since the focus of this study was the
interview method, individual participant’s identities remained confidential in the
transcription process and in the final report through the use of aliases. The aliases disclosed
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