Research Proposal : Assessing Intervention Programmes Aimed at Improving Matric Performance in Serial Underperforming Secondary Schools at UMzinyathi District in KwaZulu- Natal. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Define the target population (who does the population comprise of). Select an appropriate sample from the population. The sample size must be explicitly stated (ensure that you justify why the sample size was chosen) In using the quantitative research approach your sample size (number of respondents) should be a minimum of 100 In using the qualitative research approach your sample size should be 8 12 respondents.