ABSTRACT

This chapter is concerned with examining the various methodology procedures used in the fieldwork undertaken. It looks at the methodological possibilities, advantages and disadvantages of open-ended and closed questions and of random and quota sampling, the importance of pilot studies, the interviewing process itself and the analysis and presentation of the data. Random sampling is the ideal method of drawing a sample as it provides the greatest assurance that those selected are a representative sample of the larger group. Data from structured interviews are generally thought of as being more reliable than unstructured ones. Because the order and wording of questions are the same for the entire sample, it is more likely that they will be responding to the same stimuli. The chapter presents a profile of the final sample by revealing such characteristics as type and age of lone mother, country of origin, length of lone parenthood, level of education received, and so on.