Research assistants were trained on questionnaire administration
and ethics of conducting surveys. The criteria for a person to be
chosen as research assistant were based on her/his knowledge
and skills in interviewing and knowledge of ICBT business. All
research assistants were trained to observe keenly what was going
on at the borders, what the informal cross-border traders (ICBTs)
were trading in, how they were behaving in terms of apparent
freedom to disclose information and their interaction with peers ,
customers and government officials at the border posts.
They explained to the traders the purpose of the study, assured
them of confidentiality of information provided, and informed them
that they was no monetary compensation for participating.
Furthermore, the participants were informed that they can bow out
of the study at any time they desired to do so without jeopardizing
the survey. For those who accepted to participate they signed a
consent form and proceeded with the interview. As the ICBTs are
on a business trip, those who could not be interviewed at the border
posts gave their telephone numbers and other contact details to the
researchers. They were traced to their homes or workplaces with
this contact information for the interview. At the end of the study,
520 ICBTs completed the questionnaires giving a response rate of
98%. Four focus group discussions and two key informant interviews
were conducted