the role of tourism in natural resource management in the okavango ...

Secondary data document sources used in this study include:
Documents obtained from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) in Gaborone; the
Kalahari Conservation Society (KCS) in Gaborone and Maun; The Department of
Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) in Gaborone and Maun; the Ministry of
Agriculture in Gaborone and Maun; The World Conservation Union (IUCN); the
Ministry of Finance and Development Planning in Gaborone; the University of
Botswana in Gaborone; the Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre
(HOORC) in Maun, and non personnel documents. This study also made particular
use of the research conducted by Joseph Mbaiwa in 1999 and 2002, at the Harry
Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre (HOORC) in Maun, on the prospects for
sustainable wildlife management in the Ngamiland District, and the socio-economic
conditions in the Okavango Delta region.
The qualitative component of the study made use of in-depth interviews
incorporating a wide range of structures and human agents. According to Dann et ai,
(1988, cited in Dann and Phillips, 2001, p. 253), "...research is only successful to the
extent that it blends methodological sophistication with theoretical awareness".
Hence, perhaps the greatest advantage of qualitative research methods is that they
are exceptionally useful in theory construction, for exploring relationships and
concepts rather than verifying existing hypotheses and in filling gaps in theory
(Dooley, 1984; Laws, 1998). While quantitative techniques are more aimed at
producing 'one-off snapshots' of attitudes and activities within a determined period,
or even on a particular day, qualitative measures are more processually oriented,
quiet appropriate for many longitudinal studies which require a focus on
development over time.
Since many qualitative methods attempt to capture the temporal dimensions (and
are therefore subject to the additional requirement of time sampling), it also follows
that they can accumulate a greater depth of data than that generally acquired via
quantitative techniques based solely on sampling through space. Hence, a simple
'yes' or 'no' answer obtained from the latter can be enhanced by a greater sense or
elaboration and distinction through the concurrent use of qualitative methods
designed to trace evolution in thought (Dann and Phillips, 2001).
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