3.6. CLASSIFICATION AND SOURCES OF DATA
The tradition classification of data for
an empirical study like this was employed. Both primary and secondary data
sources were used for data collection.
3.6.1. Secondary Data Sources
Secondary data sources are the foundation for which the
theoretical and conceptual framework of the research is built. Relevant
literature from existing empirical studies and reports from the institutions,
library, websites, Government of Rwanda (relevant ministries) were contacted
for reports, papers on contribution of microfinance in women empowerment,
strategies in Rwanda, and Vision Finance Company Ltd IMF was visited for
reports on microfinance products, services and provision.
3.6.2. Primary data sources
Primary data refers to the original data compiled and studies
for specific purpose. The data was collected from the field by issuing
questionnaire and requesting the respondents to fill them. This involves
focusing on group sessions and primary document analysis and is used to
clarify, confirm or explain the results revealed by the secondary data or
sources and any other relevant information that could not be disclosed by the
existing records.
Questionnaires and interviews during the research process were
essential in the highlighting the contribution of microfinance on women
empowerment in Rwanda.
3. 7. DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES
This involves two types of data collection
technique notably questionnaire and interviews, with the help of Vision Finance
Company Ltd Loan field staff. Clients above were invited for training and this
gave the researcher an opportunity to distribute questionnaires. Since clients
were in groups, it was easier to fill questionnaires and return them within
short time. As result, the researcher managed to meet the six groups in 3 days.
Two groups on Monday, the second two groups on Wednesday, the last two groups
on Friday. This Implies that data collection involving interviews and
questionnaires look only four days but the whole process including organizing
and planning covered four weeks.
3.7.1. QUESTIONNAIRE FOR CLIENTS
According toResearch & Consultation
Guidelines; a questionnaire is simply a `tool' for collecting and recording
information about a particular issue of interest. It is mainly made up of a
list of questions, but should also include clear instructions and space for
answers or administrative details. Questionnaires should always have a
definite purpose that is related to the objectives of the research, and it
needs to be clear from the outset how the findings will be used. Respondents
also need to be made aware of the purpose of the research wherever possible,
and should be told how and when they will receive feedback on the findings.
The questionnaire was used in data collection was designed in
English language and later translated to Kinyarwanda language to ease
communication and for those respondents who could be not able to read and
write, interpreters were provided. The questionnaire is composed of both
structured and unstructured questions, where by structured questions are useful
to obtain detailed information whereas unstructured questions were designed to
extract short and precise responses from the respondents on the same issue.
The fact that all the interviewees were organized in the
groups, both distributing and collecting questionnaires were done easily. The
researcher was issued 64 questionnaires to be filled and all of them were
answered successfully, this implies that 100% of the questionnaires sent for
data collection was received back.
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