The third limitation is related to our reliance on indirect, rather than direct, observation. In this study, the staff and
students were asked about their perceptions. In addition, they speculated on issues such as the reasons why high school students do not apply to institutions of higher education and whether recruitment efforts are effective. Direct observation, such as following students longitudinally to see if they enter and complete their program of study or asking students who chose not to attend institutions of higher education about recruitment, was not undertaken. Although there was considerable agreement among the participants, it is possible that the participants’ perceptions did not reflect reality (for example, the staff may have perceived that recruitment is ineffective when it is actually effective).