Introduction: this chapter explains the different methods to be used in your research will form this chapter. Here it mentions the procedures and strategies the writer employed in the study such as research design, research area (area of the study), population of the study, etc.
Writing research chapter three, the research methods
1. WRITING RESEARCH CHAPTER THREE, THE RESEARCH METHODS
1. Introduction: this chapter explains the different methods to be used in your
research will form this chapter. Here it mentions the procedures and strategies the
writer employed in the study such as research design, research area (area of the
study), population of the study, etc.
2. Research Design: this has to do with the structure of the research instrument to be
used in collecting data. It could be in sections depending on different variables that
forms the constructfor the entire topic of the research problems. A reliable
instrument with a wrong research design will adversely affect the reliability and
generalization of the research. The choice of design suitable for each research is
determined by many factors among which are: kind of research, research
hypothesis, scopeof the research, and the sensitive nature of the research.
3. Research Area: this has to do with the geographical environment of the study area
where the places is located, the historical background when necessary and
commercial activities of that geographical area.
4. Population of the study: population is regarded in research work as the type of
people and the group of people under investigation. It has to be specific or
specified. Example: educational study teachers in lagos state. Once the population
is choosen, the next thing is to choosethe samples from the population.
5. Sample and sampling technique: it may not be possible to reach out the number of
people that form the entire population for the study to either interview, observeor
serve them with copies of questionnaire. To be realistic, the sample should be up to
20% of the total population. Two sampling techniques are popular among all the
sampling techniques. These are random and stratified random sampling techniques.
(A). in Random Sampling, the writers select any specific number from a place like
school, village, etc. (B). In Stratified Random Sampling, one has to indicate a
specific number from a stratum which could be a group of people according to age,
qualification, etc. or different group from different location and different
consideration attached.
6. Instrumentation: this is a device or different devices used in collecting data.
Example: interview, questionnaire, check list, etc. instrument is prepared in sets or
subsections, each set should be an entity thus asking questions about a particular
variable to be tested after collecting data. The type of instrument used will
2. determine the responses expected. All questions should be well set so as to
determine the reliability of the instrument.
7. Validity and reliability of the instruments: this has to do with different measures in
order to determine the validity and reliability of the research instrument. For
example presenting the drafted questionnaire to the supervisor for scrutiny. Giving
the questionnaire to the supervisor for useful comments and corrections would help
to validate the instrument.
8. Administration of the instruments: here, the writer states whether he/ she
administer the test personally or through assistant. He also indicates the rate of
return of the copies of the questionnaire administered.
9. Scoring the instruments: here items on the questionnaire or any other device used
must be assign numerical values. For example: 4 points to strongly agree, 3 points
to agree, 2 points to disagree and 1 point to strongly disagree.
Table of Analysis
10. Methods of data analysis: Expert has recommended so many methods of
testing and analyzing data such as: Pearson’s productmoment correlation (PPMC),
Spearman’s rank- Different correlation (SR), Related T-test, Chi-square and the
contingency co-efficient, factorial design [n/b: when the population is large, we use
PPMC and when the population is small, we use SR], Path Analysis, Independent
T- Test, etc.
11. Method of getting data: Methods used to gather data include: questionnaire,
observation, recording procedure, etc.
EDITOR SOURCE: Writing Chapter Three, Research Methods