Design And Research Methodology

CHAPTER THREE Design And Research MethodologyContents

TOC o “1-3” h z u CHAPTER THREE PAGEREF _Toc377987763 h 1Design And Research Methodology PAGEREF _Toc377987764 h 13.1 Introduction PAGEREF _Toc377987765 h 13.2 Design of the Study PAGEREF _Toc377987766 h 13.3 Target Population PAGEREF _Toc377987767 h 13.4 Sample Design and sample size PAGEREF _Toc377987768 h 23.5 Data Collection Procedures PAGEREF _Toc377987769 h 23.5.1 Pilot Study PAGEREF _Toc377987770 h 23.5.2 Validity of the Data Collection Instruments PAGEREF _Toc377987771 h 33.5.3 Reliability of the Data Collection Instruments PAGEREF _Toc377987772 h 33.6 Data Analysis and presentation PAGEREF _Toc377987773 h 3APENDIX V: SAMPLE SIZE TABLE PAGEREF _Toc377987774 h 4CHAPTER THREE PAGEREF _Toc377987775 h 7METHODOLOGY PAGEREF _Toc377987776 h 73.0 Introduction PAGEREF _Toc377987777 h 73.2 Research design PAGEREF _Toc377987778 h 73.3 Study Area PAGEREF _Toc377987779 h 83.4 Population PAGEREF _Toc377987780 h 93.5 Sampling procedures and sample size PAGEREF _Toc377987781 h 9The group chosen for data collection is the upper primary as shown in the above table 3.1,as they have been in school for a longer time and they are capable to give a concrete information than lower primary. PAGEREF _Toc377987782 h 113.6 Instrument PAGEREF _Toc377987783 h 113.7 Validity of the Data Collection Instruments PAGEREF _Toc377987784 h 113.7 Pilot Study PAGEREF _Toc377987785 h 123.8 Data Collection Procedure PAGEREF _Toc377987786 h 123.9 Data Analysis Procedure PAGEREF _Toc377987787 h 133.10 Ethical Considerations PAGEREF _Toc377987788 h 133.10.1 Informed consent PAGEREF _Toc377987789 h 133.10.2 Confidentiality and anonymity PAGEREF _Toc377987790 h 143.10.4 Participants right to withdrawal PAGEREF _Toc377987791 h 14APPENDIX C: DRAFT QUESTIONNAIRE PAGEREF _Toc377987792 h 14CHAPTER THREE PAGEREF _Toc377987793 h 18METHODOLOGY PAGEREF _Toc377987794 h 18The Research design PAGEREF _Toc377987795 h 18Research population PAGEREF _Toc377987796 h 18Sample Size PAGEREF _Toc377987797 h 18Instrumentation PAGEREF _Toc377987798 h 19Pilot Study PAGEREF _Toc377987799 h 19Validity of the Data Collection Instruments PAGEREF _Toc377987800 h 19Reliability of the Data Collection Instruments PAGEREF _Toc377987801 h 20Data Collection Procedure PAGEREF _Toc377987802 h 20Data Analysis Procedure PAGEREF _Toc377987803 h 20Data presentation PAGEREF _Toc377987804 h 21Ethical considerations PAGEREF _Toc377987805 h 21APPENDICES PAGEREF _Toc377987806 h 21APPENDIX I: QUESTIONAIRE PAGEREF _Toc377987807 h 21

3.1 Introduction

This chapter provides a description of the research design, the target population, data collection instruments, data collection procedures, data analysis and presentation.

3.2 Design of the StudyThe research adopted a descriptive survey research design as it sort to find out the in-depth of the factors affecting the implementation of reward system in local authorities restricting its focus on the County Council of Samburu. The study used a survey to obtain descriptive data on a variety of variables. According to Kerlinger (2000) descriptive research design is appropriate when the main emphasis is for respondents to describe known issues related to the study. In this case the researcher expected the respondents to describe how goals, industrial competitiveness and remuneration plans affects implementation of the reward system in Samburu County Council.

3.3 Target Population

The target population comprised all the personnel in the departments of the council namely the Clerk’s department, the Treasurer’s department, the Wildlife department, the Education department, the Social Services department, the Works department, the Veterinary department, the Public Health department and the Markets department. The total number of employees is 201 (County Council of Samburu,. 2010).

3.4 Sample Design and sample sizeThe researcher made use of the table developed by Krejcie and Morgan (1970) to determine the sample of employees needed to accurately represent the population. Krejcie and Morgan (1970) greatly simplified size decision by providing a table (See Appendix v) that ensures a good decision model. The table was developed based on the following equation:

n = X2NP (1-P)/d2 (N-1) + X2P(1-P)

n = Required sample size

X2 = The table value of chi-square for one degree of freedom at the desired confidence level

N = The population size

P = The population proportion (assumed to be 0.50 since this would provide the maximum sample size)

D = The degree of accuracy expressed as a proportion (0.05)

From the table, the sample size that closely matched a population of 201 employees is 132. This sample was picked proportionately from each department.

3.5 Data Collection ProceduresThe data was collected using a questionnaire. The questionnaire had closed-ended questions for the purpose of ensuring that the data is relevant by maintaining the respondent on track and ease of analysis, as well as open-ended questions to allow the respondent to put along his/ her views and thus more information gotten. The questionnaires were distributed through the internal communication systems of the office and returned via the same.

3.5.1 Pilot StudyA pilot study was conducted at amongst selected five (5) potential respondents to pretest the instruments. This was aimed at enhancing reliability of the instrument by ensuring that the respondents were able to understand the questions and be able to respond with ease. Areas of difficulty in the instruments were identified and corrective measures taken in consultation with the supervisor.

3.5.2 Validity of the Data Collection Instruments

According to Sekaran (2006), content validity of an instrument is a matter of judgment by professionals; the researcher read extensively and intensively on the subject; engaged peers in discussions as well as consulted with the supervisor to ensure content validity of the items in the data collection instruments.

3.5.3 Reliability of the Data Collection Instruments

Reliability of the instruments was ascertained through piloting of the instruments. This was ascertained by using the test retest coefficient method.

3.6 Data Analysis and presentationData collected was both quantitative and qualitative in nature. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program was used in analyzing the data. Analyzed data was presented using frequencies and percentages. The data was presented in form of tables and graphical presentations such as pie charts and bar graphs. Content analysis was used to analyze narrative data obtained from interviews.

APENDIX V: SAMPLE SIZE TABLETable for Determining the Random Sample Size from a Determined Population. ( Krejcie & Morgan, 1970).

Population Sample size

10 10

15 14

20 19

25 24

30 28

35 32

40 36

45 40

50 44

55 48

60 52

65 56

70 59

75 63

80 66

85 70

90 73

95 76

100 80

110 86

120 92

130 97

140 103

150 108

160 113

170 118

180 123

190 127

200 132

210 136

220 140

230 144

240 148

250 152

260 155

270 159

280 162

290 165

300 169

320 175

340 181

360 186

380 191

400 196

420 201

440 205

460 210

480 214

500 217

550 226

600 234

650 242

700 248

750 254

800 260

850 265

900 269

950 274

1,000 278

1,100 285

1,200 291

1,300 297

1,400 302

1,500 306

1,600 310

1,700 313

1,800 317

1,900 320

2,000 322

2,200 327

2,400 331

2,600 335

2,800 338

3,000 341

3,500 346

4,000 351

4,500 354

5,000 357

6,000 361

7,000 364

8,000 367

9,000 368

10,000 370

15,000 375

20,000 377

30,000 379

40,000 380

50,000 381

100,000 384

2. GOVERNMENT’S INVOLVEMENT IN MEETING THE LEARNING NEEDS OF PHYSICALLY DISABLED CHILDREN: A CASE STUDY OF THIKA SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND

CHAPTER THREEMETHODOLOGY3.0 Introduction

This chapter provides a description of the research design, location of the study, target population, sample and sampling procedures, instrumentation, validity and reliability of research instruments, data collection and analysis procedures.

According to Mugenda and Mugenda (2003), research is the process of carrying out a systematic, diligent inquiry of a given phenomena through exhaustive studies, investigations and experiments. It is also the process in which observable and verifiable data are systematically collected from the empirical world to describe, explain and predict events (seaman, 1982). Research is extremely essential in guiding action as it informs and accelerates the efficiency and effectiveness of action on study phenomena (CHRD, 1990).

3.2 Research designAccording to Seaman and Verhonick (1982), the research design refers to the way the researcher plans and structures the research process. It provides guide posts to keep the research headed in the right direction. If the purpose of the research is to observe, describe and assemble new knowledge and information, a descriptive design is preferred (Seaman, 1982). Case study design shall be adopted for this study. The design is considered a useful tool for investigating trends and specific situations in many scientific disciplines (Mugenda, 2003). Case studies are also suitable in gathering data whose intention is to describe the nature of the existing conditions by focusing in an area which is considered reflective of others. It will also enable the researcher to collect data in the actual context in which the phenomena occurs and has the advantage of getting responses to the same question from large number of respondents hence reliable conclusions can easily be drawn. According to Sekaran (2008), a case study descriptive survey is most appropriate for studying user’s attitudes, values and beliefs in this case, the level of involvement by the government in meeting learning need of children with disability

The qualitative method on the other hand provides an opportunity to analyze the content of the discussions with the respondents and providing an interpretation by examining the intensity with which certain words, points of view, and emotionally laden words are used (Orodho, 2005).

3.3 Study AreaThe study will be conducted in Thika High school for the blind. Thika high school for the blind is in Thika Municipality in Thika central district of Kiambu County. Thika is a cosmopolitan town just an hour’s drive from Nairobi city. This fast growing town has over 13 schools, but most notable are the primary and secondary school for the blind, reportedly Kenya’s first school for the visually impaired which was founded by the salvation army. It ministers to children who range from partially sight impaired to entirely blind. The children come to stay at the boarding school, but return to family during holiday.

Figure 3.1 Map of Kenya showing the location of Thika

3.4 PopulationPopulation refers to the entire group of individuals, events or objects having common observable characteristics. It is the aggregate of all that conforms to a specification (Mugenda, 2003). The target population will comprise of all teachers and pupils in Thika School for the blind. The school has a pupil population of 478 and teacher population of 38. (Thika School for the blind)

3.5 Sampling procedures and sample sizeThe main sampling techniques that will be utilized is the simple random sampling and stratified sampling in combination. The respondents will be stratified in to teachers and pupils then simple random sampling will be used to select the participating teachers and students. From the details available in the school register the sample population comprises of 38 teachers and 286 pupils (upper primary) giving a total sample population 324.(Thika school for the blind)

Slovens formula will be used to determine the sample size. Considering a population of 324 pupils and teachers. Sloven’s formula (Krejcie, Morgan, 1970) is stated as follows:

n = N__

1+NE²

Where: n = sample size

N = population size

E = margin of error

Considering an error margin of 5% and a population of 324 the sample size is computed as follows:

N= 324/ (1+324*0.052)

= 179

It will be obtained by using a class list of which will use sample size interval ,will be picking one student after every two, gender will be considered.

In teachers head teachers will be compulsory and the rest will get from subject headteachers,gender sensitive in consideration. See breakdown of the school population that will participate in the research.

Table 3.1 School population showing sample sizes

Sub grouping Target population Sample Size

Teachers 38 21

Pupils: Standard 1 70 Pupils: Standard 2 63 Pupils: Standard 3 59 Pupils: Standard 4 65 34

Pupils: Standard 5 55 30

Pupils: Standard 6 56 31

Pupils: Standard 7 64 35

Pupils: Standard 8 46 25

Total 516 179

The group chosen for data collection is the upper primary as shown in the above table 3.1,as they have been in school for a longer time and they are capable to give a concrete information than lower primary.3.6 InstrumentThe choice of a research instrument, according to Mwiria (1995) is determined by the nature of the study, the kind of data to be collected and the kind of target population. Questionnaires will be used. The Semi structured questionnaires will be designed for both teachers and the pupils. (See appendix 3).

3.7 Validity of the Data Collection Instruments

Validity is defined as the degree to which a test measure of what is supposed to measure (Mugenda, 2003) Following arguments by Orodho (2005), that content validity of an instrument is a matter of judgment by professionals, the researcher read extensively and intensively on the subject and engaged peers in discussions and consulted with the supervisor to ensure content validity of the items in the data collection instruments are well articulated.

3.7 Pilot StudyTo enhance validity of the instrument a pilot study will be conducted. Pre-testing helps to enhance reliability of the instruments so that the vague statements on the questionnaire can be refined or removed altogether. After seeking the permission from the school administration a pilot study will be conducted at the school by administering questionnaires to 5 students and three teachers randomly selected from the list of students, to pretest the instruments to ensure potential respondents understand it. Areas of difficulty in the instruments will be identified and corrective measures taken in consultation with the university supervisor as a way of ensuring the reliability of the instrument. The pilot respondents will eventually be excluded from the list of final sampled respondents as a further measure to ensure credibility of the methodology employed.

3.8 Data Collection ProcedureAfter the researcher has been given consent by Daystar University through the Department of Child Development to collect data, the researcher will secure permission from the office of the president through the Ministry of Education. The researcher will then alert the Thika School for the blind administrations on the intended study and the purpose of the study. Before the data collection commences, the researcher will conduct a sensitization exercise on the research purpose and the need for the study amongst the targeted respondents.

The researcher with the assistance of two research assistances will administer the data collection tool to the respondents which is expected to last not more that five working days.

3.9 Data Analysis ProcedureThe research will be both quantitative and qualitative in nature. Once the data has been collected, it will be edited to check on completeness, consistency and reliability by the researcher. Then coding of the open ended questions, developing the data base and entering the data in to the database (SPSS) is done.

Descriptive statistics techniques will be used to analyze the quantitative data and these will include frequencies, means, standard deviation and percentages. The data will be presented in form of tables and graphical presentations such as pie charts and bar graphs. The use of Microsoft Excel and the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) program will be used in analyzing the data.

3.10 Ethical Considerations

The research will be guided by ethical considerations so as to ensure that the study is carried out within the confines of the law. An attempt will be made to ensure that the following ethical guidelines are adhered to.

3.10.1 Informed consentThe research shall rely on voluntary participation of the respondents. They will be informed on the reason for the study and their consent sought. Further, respondents will be informed that there will be no further inquiry either by the researcher or any user of the research information at any stage.The researcher will seek permission from school authorities to collect data from the partipating respondents.

3.10.2 Confidentiality and anonymityThe researcher will ensure that there is confidentiality as regards the information provided by the respondents. There will be a restriction on access to raw data and care will be taken when reporting to ensure that respondents not willing to be mentioned are not identified.

3.10.4 Participants right to withdrawalRespondents will be informed of their right to withdrawal at any time without any implications. Participants will be informed of their right not to answer or respond to any questions they are not comfortable to.

3 An Investigation into the Perceptions of Service Quality for Life Insurance Companies in Kenya

APPENDIX C: DRAFT QUESTIONNAIRESECTION A: Customer Profile

Please mark with an[x]or [√] in the box with the appropriate response.

1. What is your age?

Below 30 years 30-40 years 41-50 years 51-60 years 61 years and over 2. What is your sex?

Male Female 3. What is your highest qualification?

Below primary level Certificate Diploma Undergraduate degree Masters PhD 5. Occupation

Unemployed Self employed Salaried Retired 6. Do you have an insurance policy?

Yes No SECTION B: Company Attributes

7. How long has your insurer been in business ……………………………………………..years

8. Use the tables provided below to rate the following aspects of your insurance provider

Overall Strongly disagree Disagree Don’t know Agree Strongly agree

I am satisfied with the services provided by my life insurance company Tangibles The physical appearance of the staff is professional The physical appearance and surrounding of the branch influences customers I am sure that my life insurance company uses the latest technology in providing services Information is easily available through leaflets, brochures and letters My life insurance company has a unique and memorable advertisement Reliability Staff provides error free services The staff is committed to fulfill promises in a timely manner Company has competitive pricing as compare to others Company performs the service right in the first instance Customer can fully depend and rely on the employee Company provides guarantee of the service performed Responsiveness Employees provide prompt service to customers Employees are willing to help their customers Assurance Employees are trustworthy and honest Employees are capable of solving customers problems The managers are helpful when complications arise Privacy of customer information is maintained Company is well known Company is well liked Empathy Customer gets individual attention The company has convenient business hours I trust the staff of my life insurance company Item I feel adequately covered in terms of life insurance policy

I get value for money for my insurance products I know many insurance companies I have considered going to other insurance companies I am conversant with claim processing of insurance in case of me I do my insurance directly I have information about insurance products 9. What are some of the shortcomings of your life insurer in terms of service quality?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

10. In your opinion, what do you think should be done to improve life insurance services in this country?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Thank you for your time and co-operation.

4. LOCAL AUTHORITY TRANSFER FUND (LATF) AND SERVICE DELIVERY

IN SAMBURU COUNTY COUNCIL RIFT VALLEY PROVINCE KENYA

CHAPTER THREEMETHODOLOGY

The Research design

This study employed a descriptive survey to assess the impact of LATF on service delivery on the county council of Samburu. A descriptive survey is most appropriate for studying user’s attitudes, values and beliefs (Orodho, 2005). The study used the survey design because the researcher wanted to get the precise information and make conclusive results regarding service delivery. According to Mugenda and Mugenda (2003) the survey design is the best method available to social scientists who are interested in collecting original data for the purpose of describing a population which is too large to observe directly.

Research populationThe target population comprised of 280 employees and 34 councilors of the county council of Samburu. The employees and councilors were the main respondents since they are tasked with policy formulation and service delivery.

Sample SizeThe simple random sampling was used to the population to identify the respondents for this study.

Slovens formula was used to determine the sample size. Considering a population of 180 employees and 34 councilors, the total population becomes 214. Sloven’s formula is sated as follows:

n = N__

1+NE²

Where: n = sample size

N = population size

E = margin of error

Considering an error margin of 5% and a population of 214 the sample size was computed as follows:

N= 214/ (1+214*0.052)

=119

Source: (Krejcie, Morgan, 1970).

InstrumentationThe research instruments used was a questionnaire and an interview schedule. The questionnaires targeted the Employees of the Council while the interviews schedules mainly targeted at the Councilors.

Pilot StudyA pilot study was conducted at one of the county divisions to pretest the instruments to ensure potential respondents understood it. Areas of difficulty in the instruments were identified and corrective measures taken in consultation with the supervisor as a way of ensuring the reliability of the instrument.

Validity of the Data Collection Instruments

Following arguments by Orodho (2005), that content validity of an instrument is a matter of judgment by professionals, the researcher read extensively and intensively on the subject. He also engaged his peers in discussions and consulted with the supervisor to ensure content validity of the items in the data collection instruments.

Reliability of the Data Collection Instruments

Reliability, the consistency of an instrument to give the same results at different times, was ascertained through piloting of the instruments. This was done by using the Split half Alpha formula. The Split half Alpha method is a type of reliability based on the coefficient of internal consistency of a questionnaire as a research instrument. It divides the instrument into two equal halves in terms of even and odd numbers after it has been administered. Each half is scored independently of the other with the items of the two items matched on content and difficulty. If the test is reliable, the scores on the two halves have a high positive association coefficient (Orodho, 2005). This procedure was preferred because of its ability to measure the internal consistency of the instruments being tested.

Data Collection Procedure

Before the study, Permission to conduct research was secured from the Ministry of Local Government through the county Clerk, Samburu county council. The researcher then alerted the relevant ground authorities on the intended study. During the data collection process, councilors and council employees were briefed on the purpose of the visit, the intentions and objectives of the study, and the procedure for conducting the exercise. The respondents were assured that all information given will be treated with utmost confidentiality. The researcher then personally administered the questionnaires to the respondents. The councilors were summoned for interviews and each of them was interviewed by the researcher as he filled the interview questionnaire. After the administration of the research instrument, the respondents returned the questionnaires upon filling them. The returned questionnaires were numbered and confidentially stored awaiting the process of data analysis.

Data Analysis ProcedureData collected was both quantitative and qualitative in nature. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis while quantitative was analyzed using descriptive statistics i.e. the mode, median, and mean as well as the chi square test.

Data presentationAnalyzed data was presented using frequencies, means, standard deviation and percentages. In addition, data was presented in form of tables and percentages. Microsoft Excel and the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) program were used in analyzing the data. Content analysis was used to analyze narrative data obtained from interviews

Ethical considerationsTo ensure that ethics is practiced in this study as well as utmost confidentiality for the respondents and the data provided by them, the following was done: (1) coding of all questionnaires; (2) the respondents were requested to sign the informed consent; (3) authors mentioned in this study were acknowledged within the text; (4) findings were presented in a general manner.

APPENDICESAPPENDIX I: QUESTIONAIREDear respondent,

This research is meant for academic purposes. It intends to assess the impact of LATF on service delivery in Samburu county council. Kindly provide answers to the questions as honestly as possible. Your responses will be kept confidential as possible. Please tick where appropriate or fill the spaces provided to the best of your knowledge.

SECTION A: BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Questionnaire

Age group:

Under 18 FORMCHECKBOX 18-25 FORMCHECKBOX 26-30 FORMCHECKBOX 31-35 FORMCHECKBOX 36-40 FORMCHECKBOX 41-50 FORMCHECKBOX Over 51 FORMCHECKBOX

Gender: Male FORMCHECKBOX Female FORMCHECKBOX Highest level of education: (Please mark the highest level reached)

None FORMCHECKBOX

Primary Level (KCPE) FORMCHECKBOX

Secondary School level (‘A’ or ‘O’ level) FORMCHECKBOX

Diploma or Certificate (Intermediate College) FORMCHECKBOX

Undergraduate Degree FORMCHECKBOX

Masters/PHD Degrees FORMCHECKBOX

How long (Years) have you been in the council?

Less than 1 FORMCHECKBOX

between 1-2 FORMCHECKBOX

between 2- 4 FORMCHECKBOX

Between 4-7 FORMCHECKBOX

Over 10 FORMCHECKBOX

What is your current position

Management FORMCHECKBOX

General staff FORMCHECKBOX

Subordinate FORMCHECKBOX

Monthly remuneration

Ksh0-Ksh30000 FORMCHECKBOX Ksh31000- Ksh40000 FORMCHECKBOX Ksh41000- Ksh50000 FORMCHECKBOX Above 50000 FORMCHECKBOX To what extent to you understand Local authority Transfer fund?

Very knowledgeable

Moderately knowledgeable

Unknowledgeable

Very unknowledgeable

Know nothing

Do you consider local government reforms to be effective measure in improving service delivery in local authorities?

Excellent FORMCHECKBOX

Very effective FORMCHECKBOX

Effective FORMCHECKBOX

Hardly effective FORMCHECKBOX

D). Not effective FORMCHECKBOX

List services which were offered by the council before LATF was introduced