Quantitative data
A response rate of 55% was obtained with 304 questionnaires
returned for analysis. Of the responses, 80% (n ¼ 243) presented
with a self-reported voice problem, and 20% (n ¼ 61)
indicated that they had no voice problem and considered their
voice to be normal.20
In interpretation of the results, it is important to note that
93.7% (n ¼ 284) of a total of 304 teachers reported that they
never had any voice training.20
Voice and overstretched work demands. Table 1 presents
the relationship between voice and overstretched work demands
from the group of 304 participants. A total of 47.37% of
respondents reported that they had a voice problem along with
overstretched work demands. Only 8.88% of those who reported
overstretched work demands had no voice problem. A
chi-squared test was run to test the hypothesis that these variables
are not related. c2 (2; n ¼ 304) was calculated to be
4.46 which allows us to reject the null hypothesis using an alpha
level of 0.05. This indicates that voice problems were more
likely to be related to overstretched work demands than not.
This can be stated with 96.52% confidence.
Voice and class size. Table 2 presents the relationship between
class size and presence of a voice problem from the
same group of 304 participants. A total of 49.67% of respondents
reported that they had a voice problem and taught a class of >30
students. Only 7.24% of those teaching a class of >30 pupils had
no voice problem. A chi-squared test was run to test the hypothesis
that these variables are not related. c2 (2; n ¼ 304) was calculated
to be 13.37, which allows us to reject this null hypothesis
with an alpha level of 0.01. This indicates that voice problems
were more likely to be related to a class size >30 students than
not. This can be stated with 99.97% confidence and thus would
indicate that a class size of >30 students is more influential on
a teachers voice than overstretched work demands.
Qualitative data
Teacher’s perceptions. The aim of the qualitative research
was to obtain responses from individual teachers to questions
on working conditions and availability of advice and support.
Their responses are divided into three themes; overstretched
work demands, advice and support, and voice training. They
are summarized in Table 3. These comments provide valuable
insights into possible causes and the impact of a voice problem,
and into the vocal behaviours of teachers. Therefore, they
enrich the results of the quantitative analysis and give an insight
into the real nature of the problem.
Overstretched work demands. Table 3 presents teachers
perceptions on overstretched work demands. Teachers reported
that their work demands were overstretched with little time to fit
their teaching demands into the working day. Their responses
give the reader an insight into the thoughts of teachers, the dif-
ficulties they face in carrying out their work demands, and the
impact the work demands have on their vocal health.
One of the main difficulties at work reported by teachers was
the implementation of an overloaded curriculum. Their responses
give the reader an idea of the factors which make its
TABLE 1.
The Relationship Between Overstretched Work Demands
and Voice
Overstretched
Work Demands
Voice
Problem n
No Voice
Problem n
Overstretched work
demands
47.37% 144 8.88% 27
No overstretched work
demands
32.57% 99 11.18% 34
Chi-squared value (N0: overstretched
work demands and a voice problem
are independent)
4.46