Sampling methods

Wagner et al., (2012) indicates that non-probability sampling is not based on random selection but on the availability and willingness of the participants. Non- probability sampling was used for this research. Unlike probability sampling, non- probability sampling is more cost effective (Wagner et al., 2012). Due to the time allocated for this research and lack of budget and other resources, non-probability sampling was used. Snowball sampling methods was used to identify other participants who were providers of the program not known by the programme manager. One NGO was mentioned by the principal during interview. Sampling methods and data collection methods differed at different levels of implementation. The differences in sampling methods are discussed below.

Sampling at provincial and district level

At provincial and district level the method of sampling that was used to select participants was purposive. According to Bryman (2012), the goal of non- probability purposive sampling is to choose the sample that is strategically relevant to the research questions. Two managers were selected and interviewed

37 from education Department. The managers were from provincial and district offices. The selected managers were those who were responsible for school health services at their levels. The plan was to interview more than one manager at provincial office but only one was interviewed. The reason for interviewing one manager was because she was the one responsible for health services at schools by the time of study.

Sub district level

Bryman (2012) indicates that some people who are sampled initially tend to mention other relevant people for the study. The sampling of the other mentioned people suggested by the initial sample is called snowball sampling. Only one method was used which was purposive. Two school health team members were interviewed at sub district level. Snowball sampling could not be employed at sub district level because no full time implementers were mentioned by the group interviewed. However some primary health care nurses were mentioned by the school health team members interviewed but they could not be interviewed due to time constraints. Integrated school health program at Ditsobotla has been provided by school health teams. Purposive sampling was used to identify the respondents for this category of school health team.

School level

There are different categories of schools in South Africa for example primary, secondary and intermediate schools. Wagner et al. (2012) suggests that if the population has sub groups, all sub groups should be adequately represented in a sample. The method of non- probability sampling that allows adequate representation of groups is called quota. Ditsobotla sub district had seventy eight schools on DHIS categorised into four groups namely primary, special, combined and intermediate schools. The seventy eight schools were categorised as follows; one special school, fifty one primaries, eleven combined and one intermediate. The area project officer from education department was approached after permission was granted to request list of schools. A total of eighty four schools were received from the education area project officer. The data collector took a

38 decision to utilize the list of schools provided by Department of Education area office because it was a true reflection of schools in existence at the time of study. The list had names of schools grouped according to four clusters of Ditsobotla, namely, Lichtenburg, Coligny, Itsoseng and Bodibe. Schools were selected from all four clusters of Ditsobotla; therefore quota sampling method was employed. The respondents of the study at schools were principals and SGB of the selected schools.

Sample size

Wagner et al., (2012) also indicates that sample size in qualitative research depends on the technique and the methods of data collection that will be used, for example, if you intend using individual interviews more time will be required than when using other methods such as focus group interviews. In this research, sample size was selected by the data collector considering the limited time allocated for this study. The study was supposed to be completed and report to be submitted by end February 2016. The calendar for schools ended in early November 2015 and December most of the health professionals were on leave. This meant that the data collector only had February 2016 to collect data from participants.

The total sample size comprised of twenty five participants. Ten schools were selected and therefore ten principals were interviewed and ten school governing bodies at those selected schools were interviewed. In case principals were not available or not knowledgeable with health activities conducted at schools, teachers responsible for health services at schools were interviewed. One principal at one of the schools visited mentioned one NGO health facilitator who assists sometimes at school and the snowball sampling method was applied. The NGO official was present during the day of interview and the opportunity was utilised to interview the official. The other sample came from education district and provincial offices, two managers were interviewed. The last numbers of respondents were two health personnel responsible for ISHP at Ditsobotla. Table 9 summarises the sample size at different levels of data collection.

39 Table 9: Summary of sample size at different levels of data collection

Level of data collection

Sample Sample size

Provincial Education managers One

District Education manager One

Sub district Health personnel rendering health activities at schools

Two

School School governing body Ten

Principal or teacher responsible for health services

Ten

NGO One

The plan was to interview two schools in one day but due to some challenges experienced at schools, the plan was changed. The challenges included permission to conduct interview from both Departments (Health and Education) which was granted in separate month. Education gave permission on the second week of December 2015 and schools were already closed. The Department of Health gave permission to conduct research on the 28th _{January 2016 and all these delayed the} data collection process. The distance travelled between schools was between sixty and forty km daily. The distance affected the number of schools visited in one day due to the early knock off time for schools. Most of the appointments with schools were around twelve o` clock midday. The minimum period of stay at school was between two and half hour and therefore travelling to the other school was not easy.

The other challenge included difficulties in getting a one-on-one with the head of school due to competing priorities within education department. The data collector could only be able to visit one or two schools in a day.