Methods of data collection

3.6.1 Research instruments and data collection

The main instrument of primary data collection in the study was questionnaires, which were directed, as they usually are, at the individuals who were concerned with the study. A breakdown of how the questionnaires were distributed to African immigrants residing in Cape Town is covered in subsection 3.6.3.2 below. The following subsections outline the details of the research instrument used to collect primary and secondary data.

3.6.2 Secondary sources of data

The theoretical framework of the study was derived from a literature review, which was conducted in relation to residents‟ perceptions, immigrants, and sport tourism events. The information was obtained from the sources outlined below.

3.6.2.1 Journal articles

Articles from such journals as the Journal of Sport and Tourism, the Journal of Migration Study, the Journal of Travel and Research, Politikon, and the Journal of Tourism Management were reviewed.

3.6.2.2 Internet websites

Information on the FIFA World Cup™ was obtained from such Internet sites as the official FIFA website.

3.6.2.3 Theses and dissertations

Completed dissertations and theses were used for technical writing guidance and to gather information regarding residents‟ perceptions.

3.6.2.4 Books

Various books, covering the scope of sport tourism, mega-events, tourism, and research were used to compile the literature review and to obtain relevant information, such as that regarding concepts of sport tourism, residents‟ perceptions, and tourism in general.

3.6.2.5 Newspapers

Different newspapers were consulted, such as the Weekend Argus, the Cape Times, the Cape Argus, and the Sunday Times.

3.6.2.6 Government publications

Government publications, such as the Cape Town and Western Cape 2010 FIFA World Cup business plan (City of Cape Town, 2009), the White Paper on development and promotion of tourism in South Africa (DEAT, 1996), and other relevant government publications were also consulted.

3.6.3 Primary sources of data

As was previously highlighted, the primary sources of data used in the study included a questionnaire survey. A detailed outline of the questionnaire is presented in section 3.6.3.2 below.

3.6.3.1 Pilot study

Before the actual research was conducted, questionnaires were tested to ensure the validity of the study. According to Clark et al. (1998), any attitudinal research method has to display both reliability and validity. The researchers contend that the concept of validity indicates whether the measurement truly reflects what the researcher intends to measure. Neuman and Krueger (2003:179) suggest the use of pre-test, pilot surveys and replications to ensure the reliability and validity of a study.

Accordingly, prior to the actual survey, ten piloted questionnaires were administered, allowing for the researcher to ascertain the average time that it would take to complete each questionnaire. The questionnaires were adjusted in response to a few problems that were encountered during the pilot study.

3.6.3.2 Questionnaire survey

Questionnaires are one of the most widely used instruments in data collection during social science research. They consist of questions that are used to obtain facts and opinions on a particular issue from a group of people (De Vos et al., 2006:166).

According to Wellman et al. (2005:174), the use of questionnaires in previous studies on the topic or related topic should provide input during the formulation of the questionnaire design process. A sample of questionnaires from previous residents‟

perceptions studies, as indicated above, were used to design the questionnaire for the study.

The questionnaires in the study included both open- and closed-ended questions.

Whereas the latter required respondents to select from a number of preset responses presented by the researcher, the former required the respondents to provide their own answers to the questions asked of them. A total of 550 questionnaires were distributed over a period of one and a half months (from June to mid-July 2009). The breakdown of how the questionnaires were distributed at the different points is shown in Table 3.1 below.

Table 3.1: Distribution of questionnaires

Area Targeted sample Sample received back

Cape Town bus and Bellville train stations

200 175

Greenmarket Square 50 45

Universities around Cape Town

125 110

Other areas (churches, clubs) 125 120

Total 550 450

Different methods were used to administer the questionnaires, due to certain instances, where the respondents did not have enough time to respond immediately, and were, consequently, given a copy of the questionnaire for completion and return at a later stage. Additionally, questionnaires were also disseminated to some respondents via email. In cases where the respondents were available to complete the questionnaire on the spot, a face-to–face interview was conducted by the trained interviewers. Although sending out the questionnaires by means of email and giving them sufficient time to fill them in and to return them at their own leisure was relatively inexpensive, certain studies have highlighted the fact that questionnaires sent via emails tend to be disadvantageous in some instances (Wellman et al., 2005).

The disadvantages connected with email distribution of surveys is that the respondents might take some time to return the questionnaires and the questionnaires may also not be properly answered, hence rendering the questionnaire useless (Wellman et al., 2005). Such a scenario is particularly true in

the context of the current study, during which, despite 450 questionnaires being completed, 44 of them had to be rejected, thus reducing the sample number to 406.

Five interviewers were selected from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and the University of Western Cape. The selection was based on merit, with the interviewers having to be currently enrolled in postgraduate study and having to have an understanding of the importance of gathering information in a timely and accurate manner. Such students were expected to be familiar with sport events, to have research expertise, and to be able to communicate fluently in English. In addition, the students were provided with training to improve their skills in data collection. The training covered such areas as basic communication skills, understanding of the questionnaire design, and quality assurance. Furthermore, a letter that indicated the purpose of the survey and the name of the University (see Annexure 1) accompanied the questionnaire for ethical reasons, the details of which are provided in section 3.8 below. Both interviewers and respondents were encouraged to write down their answers in pencils to ensure accuracy.

The nine sections of the questionnaire survey (see Annexure 2) were as follows:

Section 1: This section consisted mainly of the identification of those areas in