In October 2007 the Swaziland Nursing Association (SNA), in collaboration with the South African Human Capacity Development Project (SA-HCD) and the Capacity Project - IntraHealth International, came together to conduct a survey on the „Access to HIV/AIDS care among health care workers in Swaziland.‟ The research stemmed from the observation of high rates of HIV/ AIDS fear and stigma among health workers, poor utilization of HIV care and support facilities by these health care workers, and health workers‟ concerns regarding breach of confidentiality. The objectives of the survey were largely two-fold: a. To assess health care workers‟ knowledge and access to work place HIV/AIDS infection prevention and control and to determine the barriers to receiving HIV/AIDS care and support by health care workers and their families. b. To use the knowledge obtained from the survey in a targeted intervention to reduce potential barriers to HIV/AIDS care among health care workers. The aim of this paper, written before the data analysis, is to present a descriptive analysis of the research process, critically analyze the research methods, and discuss possible strengths and limitations of the methods and the implications for further research. Analysis of the methods showed that like all research processes, the HCW survey is not without its strengths and biases. Methodological challenges such as contextual documentation, sampling, and time and human resource constraints were all factors that played into the research process and are important factors to be considered in the data analysis and results interpretations. The importance of community participatory approaches and training were found to have been great initiatives in the research process by way of the commitment, depth and ownership it imparted to the study. Additionally, the relevance of knowledge and awareness of the research context was highlighted in the quality imparted to the data collection processes. Based on this research process analysis, the need for the involvement of the survey implementers (nurses) in the data analysis and results interpretation is greatly emphasized in their ability to enhance the validity and reliability of the studies findings. In conclusion, capturing all aspects of the qualitative research process is imperative in ensuring in-depth understanding of the research data. It is hoped that information obtained from this research analysis will not only inform the data analysis and results write up of the health care workers‟ survey but also serve as a resource tool for future practice. The longer term goal of which would be that, subsequent interventions can build upon the information, to contribute to the establishment of a much needed resource data base for best practices in qualitative research development in the Kingdom of Swaziland.Master of Public Healt
