The pilot study interview guide, as discussed previously, had been modified for this study to incorporate recommendations from my preliminary work. The revised interview guide remained semi-structured to permit emergent questions in the interview process in response to the situation (Merriam, 1988). Along with obtaining basic demographic information, broad areas of questioning for the initial interview included: (a) adult exemplars of literacy behaviors; (b) child participation in literacy associated activities; (c) access to reading and writing materials; (d) purposes of reading and writing and (e) parental involvement in school activities. [A copy of the interview guide is contained in Appendix E.]

Parent questionnaire

A parent questionnaire [contained in Appendix F] was completed during the initial interview. The questionnaire allowed for a uniform system for participants to rate such areas as their attitudes and beliefs about literacy, their self-perceived competencies in helping with school work, access to books and their family values towards education. The questionnaire consisted of six indicators arranged in Likert rating scales, five multiple choice questions and one open-ended question. Interviews with parents were audiotaped with approval.

Field notes

I wrote descriptive field notes regarding the surroundings and any pertinent observations, reflections, impressions or emerging patterns during and after the interviews, remaining sensitive to the participants and aware of how recording at the time could disrupt the communication. My notes, contained in a total of twelve 5 inch by 8 inch divided page spiral-bound stenographer's notebooks, include details that helped me to reconstruct the events later. I included descriptions of the setting, the layout of the room, signs of literacy and other symbols that were visible, activities occurring, use of language, non-verbal behaviors, as well as anything else that captured my interest about the setting or interaction at the time.