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CHAPTER 2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In order to address the research problem and research question to this study, it is important that a correct methodology is followed. It is also deemed important to clarify what is meant by methodology and in this regard, (Baily, 1987:32-33) defines a methodology as the philosophy of the research process. A researcher’s methodology determines such factors as how he or she writes a hypothesis and what level of evidence is necessary to make the decision whether to reject the hypothesis and it includes the assumptions and values that serve as a rationale for research and the standards or criteria the researcher uses for interpreting data and reaching conclusions (Baily, 1987:33).
The methodology of the physical sciences is somewhat more rigorous and elegant than the methodology of the social sciences, but this may not always be the case. Specifically, physical scientists are much more likely than social scientists to state the relationship between variables in exact terms, usually in the form of mathematical equations. The social scientist is often satisfied to be able to prove the existence of a relationship between two variables, while saying nothing about the nature of the relationship. Further, the fact that the physical scientist’s methodology results in formulations that are more quantitative and precise than the results of the sociologist’s methodology does not necessarily mean that the former’s explanation is superior. In fact, some sociologists argue that the quantitative explanations are artificial and tend to dehumanise, or at least oversimplify, social phenomena. These researchers argue that the more emotional kind of understanding that can be gained through interaction with the subject or through sharing his or her experiences may yield more satisfactory explanations than the more logically precise explanations that may be achieved though mathematical modelling. (Bailey, 1987:33)Further to the above debate, Bailey (1987:33) correctly points out that the question of whether social science methodology will ever duplicate physical science methodology is a philosophical issue that is not meant to be resolved here, and is probably unimportant. The main point is that there is a wide range of alternative methodologies, or approaches and criteria for understanding social phenomena in social science. These approaches range from qualitative to quantitative. Having described the term methodology, the description of the method used to collect data follows. A research method according to Bailey (1987:32) simply means a research technique or tool used to gather data. In the case of this study the dominant method used was an extensive study of literature, the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality’s publications such as the budget and the Integrated Development Plan as well as the national legislation such as the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 and other legislation pertaining to local government. This study is also based on the experience and some of the direct observations of the researcher in the field of local government over the past eight years.
APPROACHES TO RESEARCH
In order to bring clarity and understanding why the case study was chosen as a research tool on the role of intergovernmental relations in the performance of the local sphere of government, the author deemed it important to give some background on the various approaches to research, hence the discussion that follows. Fouche & Delport (2002:79) have identified that at present there are two well-known and recognised approaches to research, namely the quantitative paradigm and the qualitative paradigm and that these two methodological paradigms differ vastly from each other as follows:
The Quantitative Paradigm
The quantitative paradigm is based on positivism, which takes scientific explanation to be based on universal laws. Its main aims are to measure the social world objectively, to test hypotheses and to predict and control human behaviour. A quantitative study may, according to Creswell (1994:1-2), therefore be defined as an enquiry into social or human problems, based on testing a theory composed of variables, measured with numbers and analysed with statistical procedures in order to determine whether the predictive generalisations of the theory hold true. The quantitative approach has the following characteristics as identified by Mouton and Marais (1990:155-156):
– the quantitative approach is more formalised as well as more explicitly controlled than the qualitative approach;
– the range of the quantitative approach is more exactly defined than the qualitative approach;
– the quantitative approach is relatively close to the physical sciences.According to Reid and Smith (1981, in De Vos, 2002:80), the following can be added with regard to a quantitative approach:
– the researcher’s role is that of objective observer;
– studies are focused on relatively specific questions or hypothesis;
– data collection procedures and types of measurement are constructed in advance of the study and applied in a standardised manner;
– data collectors are to avoid adding their own impressions or interpretations;
– measurement is focused on specific variables that are quantified through rating scales, frequency counts and other means;
– analysis proceeds by obtaining the statistical breakdown of the distribution of variables;
– statistical methods are used to determine associations or differences between variables.
Given the above characteristics of quantitative research, it is evident that they are primarily premised on the assumption that the researcher plays a passive role in the research process and that certain aspects of human behaviour can be controlled in a particular way. The author submits that intergovernmental relations as defined in this study entail inter alia human interactions and relationships which no law or procedure can dictate. Thus it is concluded that the quantitative research method, as discussed above, is not appropriate as a tool in the study of intergovernmental relations.
The Qualitative Paradigm
In contrast, the qualitative approach stems from an antipositivistic, interpretative approach, is ideographic and thus holistic in nature, and aims mainly to understand social life and the meaning that people attach to everyday life. The qualitative research paradigm in its broadest sense refers to research that elicits participant accounts of meaning, experience or perceptions. It also produces descriptive data in the participant’s own writing or spoken words. It thus involves identifying the participant’s belief and values that underlie the phenomena. The qualitative researcher is therefore concerned with understanding rather than explanation; naturalistic observation rather than controlled measurement; and the subjective exploration of reality from the perspective of an insider as opposed to the outsider perspective that is predominant in the quantitative paradigm. (Denzin & Lincoln, 1994:1-2)
The various strategies of enquiry used by the qualitative researchers differ from each other depending on the purpose of the study, the nature of the research question, and the skills and resources available to the researcher. However, as each of the possible strategies has its own perspective and procedures, the research process will also reflect the procedures of the chosen strategy. The qualitative research strategy differs inherently from the quantitative research design in that it does not usually provide the researcher with a step-by-step plan or fixed recipe to follow. In quantitative research the design determines the researcher’s choices and actions, while in qualitative research the researcher’s choices and actions will determine the design or strategy. Thus, qualitative researchers will, during the research process, create the research strategy best suited to their research, or even design their whole research project around the strategy selected.(Fouche, 2002:272)There are number of strategies for those who undertake qualitative studies. Tesch (1990:72-73) provides a popular classification of qualitative methods of inquiry that identifies 28 different approaches, while Miller and Crabtree (1999:27) identify 18 types, using a different system of classification. Creswell (1998:47) identifies only five
traditions of inquiry, selecting those which, according to him, represent different disciplines, have detailed procedures and, most importantly, have proved to be popular and mostly frequently used. For the same reasons espoused by Creswell above, the five research strategies are selected for discussion here. Creswell (1998:47-64) identifies the following five strategies of inquiry that could be used to design qualitative research. These strategies as will be discussed below are the biography, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography and case study.
Biography
This strategy is used to report on and document an individual’s life and his experiences as told to the researcher or found in documents and archival material. The biographical forms of research vary, as in portraits, memoirs, life stories, life histories, case studies and autobiographies, but all forms represent an attempt to construct the history of a life. As such the researcher may decide not to begin the study with a theoretical perspective that guides the study. The methods of data collection in this strategy are primarily interviews and documents, with a detailed picture of an individual’s life being the product of the research.
(Fouche, 2002:272–273) As a result, the researcher needs to do the following (Creswell, 1998:51):
– collect extensive information from and about the subject of the biography;
– have a clear understanding of historical, contextual material;
– have a keen eye to determine the particular stories or angles that work in writing a biography;
– bring himself into the narrative report and acknowledge his stand point.
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
ABSTRACT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CHAPTER 1: THE NATURE OF THE STUDY
1. INTRODUCTION
2. THE STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
3. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE TRANSFORMATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Racial Segregation
3.3 Financial Constraints
3.4 Collapse of Apartheid Local Government System
3.5 The Launch of the Local Government Negotiating Forum
3.6 Local Government Elections
3.7 Local Government Elections in the City of Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal Province
3.8 Launch of the South African Local Government Association
(SALGA)
3.9 Final Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996
3.10 Green Paper on Local Government
3.11 White Paper on Local Government
3.12 Municipal Demarcation Act, 1998
3.13 Municipal Structures Act, 1998
3.14 Municipal Elections of 2000
4. HISTORICAL OVERVIEW ON HE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CITY OF TSHWANE METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY
4.1 Merged Municipalities
4.2 Geographical Area of the City of Tshwane
4.3 The Origin of the Name “Tshwane”
4.4 Governance Structure of the City of Tshwane
4.5 Administrative Structure of the City of Tshwane
5. CONCLUSION
CHAPTER 2: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
1. INTRODUCTION
2. APPROACHES TO RESEARCH
2.1 The Quantitative Paradigm
2.2 The Qualitative Paradigm
3. CLARIFICATION OF TERMS
3.1 Basic Household Infrastructure
3.2 Equitable Share of Nationally Raised Revenue
3.3 Organised Local Government
3.4 Tax Base
3.5 Rollover Funds
3.6 Fiscal Autonomy
3.7 Local Government
3.8 Local Governance
3.9 The Budget
3.10 Capital Expenditure
3.11 Operating Expenditure
3.12 Integrated Development Plan
3.13 Apartheid
4. STRUCTURE OF THE THESIS
CHAPTER 3: LITERATURE REVIEW
1. INTRODUCTION
2. PURPOSE AND RELEVANCE OF A LITERATURE REVIEW
3. APPROACHES TO INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
3.1 The Democratic Approach
3.2 The Constitutional / Legal Approach
3.3 The Financial Approach
3.4 Normative-operational Approach
4. THE INFLUENCE OF FORMS OF GOVERNMENT ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
4.1 Unitary Form of Government
4.2 Federal Form of Government
4.3 The Unitary and Federal Debate in South Africa
5. CLASSIFICATION OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
6. NORMATIVE GUIDELINES IN THE STUDY OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
6.1 Acknowledgement of the Supremacy of the Constitution
6.2 Maintenance of Public Accountability
6.3 Maintenance of Public Efficiency
6.4 Adherence to South African Administrative Law
6.5 Acknowledgement of Current Community Values
6.6 Maintenance of High Moral Norms by Politicians and Officials
6.7 Social Equality and Social Justice
7. INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
7.1 Policy and Policy Making as an Intergovernmental Relations Issue
7.2 Finance as an Intergovernmental Relations Issue
7.3 Human Resources as an Intergovernmental Relations Issue
7.4 Organisation of Government Institutions
8. PEOPLE IN INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
8.1 Basic Values and Principles
8.2 Fundamental Rules of Conduct
9. CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS AND CO-OPERATIVE GOVERNMENT
9.1 Introduction and Perspective
9.2 Co-operative Government in relation to Intergovernmental
Relations
9.3 Constitutional Framework for Co-operative Government
9.4 Constitutional Framework on Local Government
10. OTHER POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
10.1 Local Government and Reconstruction and Development
Programme
10.2 White Paper on Local Government
10.3 Financial Implications for Intergovernmental Relations
10.4 Financial and Fiscal Commission
10.5 Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations Act, 1997
10.6 National Council of Provinces
10.7 South African Local Government Association (SALGA)
10.8 Framework for Restructuring of Municipal Service Provision
10.9 Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act, 2005
11. INFORMAL POLITICAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
11.1 Intergovernmental Forum (IGF)- (Now Defunct)
11.2 President’s Co-ordinating Council
11.3 Ministerial Forums (Minmecs)
11.4 The Premiers’ Forums
11.5 Other Provincial Intergovernmental Forums
11.6 Municipal Intergovernmental Forums
11.7 Administrative Intergovernmental Structures
12. CONCLUSION
CHAPTER 4: THE ROLE OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES (NCOP) AND THE SOUTH AFRICAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (SALGA) IN FACILITATING INTERGOVERNEMTNAL RELATIONS AND SERVICE DELIVERY FOR THE LOCAL SPHERE OF GOVERNMENT
1. INTRODUCTION
2. THE ROLE OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES (NCOP) IN FACILITATING INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS AND SERVICE DELIVERY FOR THE LOCAL SPHERE OF GOVERNMENT
2.1 Establishment and Composition of the NCOP
2.2 The Powers of the NCOP
3. THE ROLE OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (SALGA) IN FACILITATING INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS AND SERVICE DELIVERY FOR THE LOCAL SPHERE OF GOVERNMENT
3.1 Establishment and Composition of SALGA
3.2 The Role of SALGA in Facilitating Intergovernmental Relations and Service Delivery
4. CONCLUSION
CHAPTER 5: INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE CITY OF TSHWANE METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY (TSHWANE 2020 PLAN)
1. INTRODUCTION
2. INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLANNING STRUCTURES WITHIN THE CITY OF TSHWANE METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY AND THEIR TERMS OF REFERENCE
2.1 IDP Representative Forum
2.2 IDP Steering Committee
2.3 IDP Manager
2.4 IDP Coordinator
2.5 IDP Process Manager
2.6 IDP Functional Team
2.7 Municipality
3. PHASES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN
3.1 The Analysis Phase
3.2 The Strategies Phase
3.3 The Projects Phase
3.4 The Integration Phase
3.5 The Approval Phase
4. THE IMPLEMENTATION PHASE OF THE INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND THE FACILITATION ROLE OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES
4.1 Department of Trade and Industry Development and the Mandela Development Corridor
4.2 Tshwane International Convention and Entertainment Centre
4.3 Rainbow Junction Project
4.4 Marabastad Project
4.5 Freedom Park – The Salvokop Project
4.6 Other Intergovernmental Relations and Cooperative Governance Structures which play a facilitation role in the Implementation of the Integrated Development Plan
5. REMARKS OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT REGARDING INTEGRATED GOVERNANCE AND PLANNING
5.1 Some Remarks of the Portfolio Committee on Provincial and Local Government Regarding Integrated Governance and Planning
6. CONCLUSION
CHAPTER 6: THE FACILITATION ROLE OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL FISCAL RELATIONS SYSTEM AND COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE ON LOCALmGOVERNMENT AND THE CITY OF TSHWANE METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY’S BUDGET FOR THE 2001/2002 FINACIAL YEAR
1. INTRODUCTION
2. BACKGROUND ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL FISCAL SYSTEM IN SOUTH AFRICA
2.1 Intergovernmental System
2.2 Intergovernmental Fiscal System
2.3 Intergovernmental Transfers
3. THE FACILITATION ROLE OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL FISCAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE ON THE CITY OF TSHWANE METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY’S BUDGET FOR THE 2001/2002 FINANCIAL YEAR
3.1 Challenges Facing the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality
3.2 Institutional Support to Municipalities and the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality
3.3 National Support in the Extension of Service Delivery
3.4 Budget Reform
3.5 Revenue Reform
4. CONCLUSION
CHAPTER 7: STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVED SERVICE DELIVERY IN THE CITY OF TSHWANE METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY – REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. THE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE ON SERVICE DELIVERY STRATEGIES
3. THE CITY OF TSHWANE METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY STRATEGY WORKSHOP (BOSBERAAD)
4. KEY ISSUES AND OBSTACLES IN THE CITY OF TSHWANE METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY
4.1 Key issues
4.2 Obstacles in Service Delivery
4.3 Strategies for Improved Service Delivery
4.4 Improved Relationships Between Politicians and Officials
4.5 Other Resolutions taken at the Bosberaad
5. IMPLEMENTATION AND PROGRESS MONITORING OF THE BOSBERAAD RESOLUTIONS
6. REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
7. CONCLUSION
CHAPTER 8: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. PROVING THE HYPOTHESIS
3. RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 Further Research and Studies
3.2 Recommendations Based on the Results of the Study
4. CONCLUSION
GET THE COMPLETE PROJECT
INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS IN THE LOCAL SPHERE OF GOVERNMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA WITH SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO THE CITY OF TSHWANE METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY
