ABSTRACT

In approaching any field of scientific enquiry one utilizes one or more instruments. They measure features and characteristics of the universe explored. Thus the meteorologist uses barometers and thermometers to measure climatic conditions. In the case under consideration in this book, the methodology adopted was conceived within a social sciences, rather than physical sciences, context. So, rather than being the likes of electronic sensors or pressure gauges, the instruments used here were those which are typical of the fieldworker, like interview agenda, semi-structured inter views and questionnaires. Instrumentation refers to the design and utilization of such instruments, and it is with this process that this chapter is concerned.