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Free download from www.hsrcpress.ac.zathe researcher brings to the interaction and whatever else the subject mayintroduce. Generally, a researcher has an idea of what basic issues he or shewishes to cover in interviews. A researcher derives these notions from theformulation of the research problem; analysis of observations in the setting andexperiences reported by participants, and hypotheses based on theory.Although free narration by the subjects is encouraged, such narration must beguided if the interviews and the data that are collected are to contribute to theresearch objectives.An interview guide is a list of topics and sub-topics within an area of inquiryabout which a researcher wishes to gather information. It provides a frameworkfor the interviewer to develop questions, sequence those questions, and makedecisions about which information to pursue in greater depth. It also serves as achecklist on which sub-topics may be ticked off as they are covered.The interview guide that was used in the study was compiled in the followingway: An analysis of the observations made during field work and participantobservation, and a study of related literature, helped to delineate the problemand to provide topics and subtopics to be covered in the investigation. Thetopics provided the main division for the guide and a structure for later analysisand interpretation. The ordering of the topics and subtopics on the guidefollowed the schema of Stimson, Webb (1975) who, in their study Going to seethe doctor, divided the process into three phases: prior to seeing the doctor(travelling to the facility, clerking in, waiting for the consultation with thedoctor); the consultation with the doctor (the face-to-face interaction), and afterthe consultation (collecting prescribed medication, returning home, evaluatingthe medical encounter). The guide was also designed to gather generaldemographic information; data regarding health status; data concerningpatterns of seeking medical care at the centre, and information on problemsconnected with obtaining health care at the centre.Subjects were interviewed in their homes by the researcher within three weeksof being sampled at the centre. During the interview the researcherendeavoured to assume a non-argumentative, supportive and sympatheticallyunderstanding attitude. In terms of Weber’s formal and empathicunderstanding, the procedure was first to establish rapport with the subject andcreate a warm and accepting atmosphere. It was again pointed out to subjectswhat the purpose of the interviews was and in what way the data and findingswould be used. It was explained that while factual data of the treatmentsituation and incidents occurring at the centre were sought, the subjects werealso invited to communicate their own attitudes and feelings, and in so doingencouraged to lead the interview and to speak freely on topics and issues whichwere of most concern to them.Sub-topics were presented to subjects in the form of loosely worded openendedquestions. These were not necessarily presented in the sequence inwhich they appeared or were grouped under topics on the guide. The aim213