4. Qualitative data
4.1 Collection methodology
Torres Strait trial qualitative data collection involved the use of focus groups and in-depth interviews with key informant groups from each of the main communities in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area. These have sought to document the views of parents and other stakeholders about what is important in raising healthy and competent children who are able to take their place as responsible adults and future parents.
Theoretical approach
The theoretical approach informing the design, implementation, analysis and reporting of this information is participatory-action research. This aims to provide an integrated process which draws on the skills and knowledge of all participants (that is, the people being researched and the researchers) with the goal of increasing the knowledge of all participants and enabling social transformation (Brydon-Miller 1997).
Participatory-action research is often used in contexts where there are knowledge and power imbalances, including research in developing countries and research with Indigenous populations (Dickson 2000). It particularly recognises the importance of engaging a range of stakeholders and returning the findings to them in a suitably accessible form (such as a community report) so that they may be used to inform policy and community driven action.
Sampling
The contract for the qualitative data collection phase of the Trial required the collection of data from the main populated islands within the Kalakawal, Kaiwalagal, Meriam, Kulkalgal and Kalalagal regions of the Torres Strait, and the Northern Peninsula Area.
Recruitment of participants
Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) were employed by the (then) Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS) to assist in engaging each community with the use of publicity materials and community barbeques to help explain the purpose of the trial. The CLOs convened focus groups, individual interviews, and in some cases assisted with translation (where necessary). The informants for the focus groups and study participants were selected from each of the island communities by the CLOs to provide a representative range of views on matters relevant to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and to comment on their family, community, cultural and spiritual environments of child rearing.
Community informants/stakeholders
Four groups of informants/stakeholders were identified. These included:
- community Elders
- parents and caregivers
- young people
- service providers and other stakeholders.
Topics and themes investigated
The information collected from the focus groups and in-depth interviews focused on five general themes relevant to the raising of children in the Torres Strait context:
- Theme 1-Starting out: What do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children need to have the best start in life to grow up strong?
- Theme 2-Growing up: What helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to stay on track, become healthier, more positive and stronger?
- Theme 3-Family role: What is the importance of family, extended family and community in the early years of life and when growing up?
- Theme 4-Cultural influences: What are the differences between how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are raised compared to children of other cultural backgrounds and how do community characteristics influence child development and wellbeing?
- Theme 5-Role of services: How can services and other types of support make a difference to the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children? How does the availability, nature and delivery of services impact on child development and wellbeing?
Scope and coverage of data collection
As the time and resources available did not permit all five themes to be explored with each of the four groups of informants for each island cluster, quotas were arranged to ensure an adequate coverage of topics and informants. This meant that focus groups and interviews were organised to concentrate on just one or two of the five themes.
This was done flexibly, recognising that there is some overlap between themes. Each focus group and interview thus commenced with a clear focus for discussion but also allowed for exploration and recording of comments on topics relevant to the other themes where this was appropriate.
Demographic profile of participants
A brief demographic profile was recorded by the research team for each participant prior to the commencement of each group or interview. This included personal contact details, their age, island/community, the date of their participation, and their informant group (that is, parent, Elder, youth or service provider).
Informed consent
Informed consent was sought before each interview. This followed a process approved by FaCS and the Human Ethics Committee of the Northern Territory Department of Health and Community Services at the Menzies School of Health Research. This involved participants being given a written and verbal explanation of the purpose of the study as part of the 'Footprints in Time' study. An explanation was provided of the arrangements to protect confidentiality and what would be done with information they provided.
Consent was sought for their participation in a focus group or interview, the audio and/or written recording of information, and the release of the information in summary form in community reports, scientific publications and the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children web site.
All participants were informed of their right to withdraw their consent for participation at any stage. Consent was also sought for photographs of individuals to be used in study publications and the study website. This also stipulated that this consent could be withdrawn by family in the event a participant's death. The study information provided to participants made it clear that they would not be identified individually by name in any final reports or publications, unless they had specifically given assent for this to occur.
4.2 Data collection procedures
The focus groups and interviews were conducted by teams involving an external researcher assisted by a local Indigenous researcher who also acted as a cultural advisor and/or translator as required.
In the first round of data collection in the Torres Strait the facilitation and note-taking roles were taken by different members of the research team including external and local researchers, the CLOs and the FaCS staff member as negotiated by the individual teams. During the first round of fieldwork an additional external researcher from the research partner was also present to provide a quality assurance role. A FaCS team member accompanied each research team to oversee the organisation of the data collection and provide support where necessary.
During the second round, the data collection process was refined and all focus groups and interviews were facilitated by the external researcher. Notes were recorded by the local Indigenous researcher with back up from the CLO or FaCS staff member where required.
Focus group procedures
Each focus group was around one and a half hours duration, including a short break. The facilitator commenced with a brief explanation of the purpose of the study and ensuring that all consent forms had been completed. Basic ground rules were then established to make it clear that:
- everyone's views matter and should be respected
- people should feel free to respond to what others say
- the facilitator will keep the discussion moving so everyone has their say
- confidentiality must be respected as some issues discussed might be personal or sensitive.
At the conclusion of the focus group the research team conducted a debriefing session. This discussed how the interview went and whether everyone had the opportunity to input adequately. It included discussion of any problems which might have arisen and how these could have been addressed or could be avoided or addressed in the future.
The debriefing also allowed for discussion of observations made in the session, the main themes, interpretations, and ideas that came from the session. This also gave an opportunity to fill in any gaps in the notes and to clarify issues that may have required cultural or language explanation.
Following the write-up of the notes this information and the relevant demographic profiles and consent forms were placed in a locked bag for transportation to the mainland.
In-depth interview procedures
The in-depth interviews were conducted by the external researcher and the local Indigenous researcher with reference to a set of semi-structured questions. This interview guide was prepared with the advice of the research team and the CLOs to gather information on each of the five theme topics and to ensure its cultural appropriateness and choice of language.
The interview introduction and prompting questions were specifically designed to bring out personal stories of resilience and strength. Information on specific difficulties and problems faced by families and communities in raising their children were also explored.
4.3 Production of the report
At the conclusion of the fieldwork, the round one data from the Kalakawal, Kaiwalagal, Meriam, and Kulkalgal clusters were analysed and written up by the study team at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research. Data collected from Kalalagal and the Northern Peninsula Area during the second round were analysed and written up by the external researchers that collected the data and the draft reports were sent to the Institute for collation into the final report and editing.
The data analysis involves a thematic descriptive analysis of the data for the production of an interim summary report. The interim report was provided to FaCSIA. The draft reports were returned to the communities and individuals who gave their stories to get final clarification and feedback. The purpose of this feedback process was to verify with participants and stakeholders that the recording, analysis and interpretation of findings provides an accurate reflection of the information provided. Feedback received has been incorporated in the preparation of this final report.