Research and Qualitative Methods:

QUESTION 4 [20 Marks] Study the following information and answer the questions that follow. Mrs Portia Malala is part of a large team of business researchers exploring a broad set of research questions in a wide- ranging entrepreneurship research project meant to promote entrepreneurship, enterprise development and employment creation across South Africa. Each team member is tasked with answering a single research question of significance. Mrs Malala's research question is: Do serial entrepreneurs develop intangible capital that they carry with them as they move from their first entrepreneurial venture to a new more productive one? She has decided to conduct a face-to-face interview of, at least, ten serial entrepreneurs in an empirical investigation aimed at understanding their lived experiences of continuously coming up with new ideas and starting new business ventures; how they make sense of entrepreneurial opportunities; how they keep their passion burning and stay motivated in a start-up; as well as their perspectives on how the complex emotions associated with running multiple ventures simultaneously are best managed. Mrs Malala intends taking along to each interview session, an interview guide, a notepad and a pen, and an audio recorder. 4.1 While gaining a deep understanding or thick description of individuals with particular experiences (12 marks) is often the expressed goal of qualitative research (Abrams, 2010), the challenges of sampling, recruitment, engagement, and retention of the study participants require careful consideration. In light of the above observation, critically discuss a sampling method that most probably informed Mrs Malala's decision to elicit responses from, at least, ten participants in her study. Your discussion should highlight the characteristics of the target population and how the chosen sampling method is fit for purpose. (8 marks) 4.2 The subjective nature of qualitative research necessitates scrupulous scientific methods throughout the research process to ensure valid results. As the first step in the data analysis process, the representation of audible data into written form is an interpretive process that must maximize researcher data interaction both as a source of empirical information and inspiration to trigger imaginative insights. In light of the statement above, discuss the process that Mrs Malala should follow in transcribing the data to be collected in her study