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data in greater detail by remaining conversational and situational (Ulin et al., 2002). Open-
ended questions allowed two-way communication between the researcher and the participants
which also allowed better exploration of themes of the study in a focused manner
(Sociological research skills, 2010). These questions were designed in English and translated
into IsiZulu. A short questionnaire consisting of closed-ended question was used to get the
participant’s and the organisation’s demographic information (see appendix 1b). Tape
recorders were used to record the data from interviews and focus group discussions.
3.5.1 Semi-structured interviews with HBCCs/Project managers
Ten HBCCs/project managers (one per organization) participated in semi-structured
interviews. These interview sessions were held in the HBCCs’ offices. Prior to each
interview, the nature and aims of the study were explained to each participant who were then
asked to fill in a short questionnaire and an informed consent form (see appendix 1a). The
ethical issues that were covered in the informed consent form were also discussed verbally
with the participants for purposes of clarity. Assurance of confidentiality was covered and
participants were also informed that they could stop the interview at any time if they wished.
Permission to use tape recorders was requested from the participants and they were assured
that they would be privacy in handling and storing of the data in that, only the researcher and
the supervisor would have access to the data.
Semi-structured interviews with HBC coordinators were appropriate in this research because
they allowed and encouraged respondents to give in-depth information as well as their
personal opinions on infection control practices in HBCOs rather than presenting participants
with rigid pre-set questions that could have limited the data that was collected. These semi-
structured interviews were also useful because HBCCs were in a better position to provide
relevant information because they had the responsibility of overseeing HBC programs in their
organisations. The research interviews were conducted in English using an interview
schedule with open- ended questions (see appendix 2). In instances where participants could
not express themselves in English, interviews were conducted in IsiZulu language by the
facilitator and they were guided by an interview schedule in the Zulu version (see appendix
2). The themes that were covered in the interview schedule were: perceptions of infection
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