The Contribution of Multi-Methods to the Understanding of Disaster Management Practices of Community Libraries

Abstract

This chapter reflects on the lessons learnt from applying multi-methods in a study to determine community librarians' disaster management beliefs and practices in a rural context. A case study design that used a questionnaire, interviews, and document analysis was employed. The study sought to generate new knowledge about disaster management practices of community libraries in the North West Province of South Africa. The researcher collected quantitative data as the primary data collection strategy, and qualitative data supplemented it. The rationale for triangulating the two types of data was that neither quantitative nor qualitative methods were sufficient to capture the perceptions and identify practices amongst the participants. The triangulation of data facilitated the understanding of the subjective meanings, developing a description of disaster management practices and localising participants' statements within social patterns of interaction.