A snowball selection process, relying on referrals of potential
interviewees, was used. An email was sent to all students and
lecturers at PSU requesting name and contact details of any
potential interviewees (dropout students) who they could suggest
or refer. 20 such referrals were made, and the researcher contacted
them, to set up an interview. This was not without difficulty. Some
participants changed or postponed appointments, until a time that
was convenient for them; for example one participant let the
researcher interview her by phone only in the early morning at 6
am; two let the researcher interview them at night time after 10
pm. So the researcher adapted the time to suit the interviewees. It
took a long time to complete the study.