CHAPTER THREE:
METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
This chapter presents the methodological approach, the data
collection techniques and the entire process that was used to conduct the
study. It shows the methods that the researcher will use to collect and analyze
the data, the selection of the respondents, and it further spells out how the
information was obtained from respondents, analyzed and interpreted to enable
the researcher to draw logical conclusions.
Kenneth D Bailey (1978: 83) defines the methodology as the set
of methods and principles that are used when studying a particular kind of
work. A method composes all intellectual process an orderly system or
arrangements that enable a researcher to reach an aspect of knowledge by using
various techniques.
3.2. Research Design
Christensen (1991: 269); defines research design as an
outline, a plan or a strategy specifying the procedures to be used in
investigating the research problem. It is simply the framework or plan a study
used as a guide in collecting and analyzing data. For the purpose of the
current study the survey method was adopted.
The research Design of this study was an ex-post facto case
study; hence there was need of using comparative data of pre-SPREAD-NUR and
post-SPREAD-NUR project implementation. Thus, this study paid special attention
to the comparison between how the status of rural area prior to the entry of
SPREAD-NUR was and the situation after SPREAD-NUR's emergence, and the
perception of the people towards each element of the project regarding level of
Rural Development.
To gather the needed data, fieldwork was conducted in the
rural Area, ABAHUZAMUGAMBI COFFEE COOPERATIVE of MARABA, using
triangulation data collection technique. A
Questionnaire was used to get perceptions
and development status. Observations were conducted
in order to double check the validity and confidence of the collected data.
Interviews focusing on project
implementation and the assessment of development were also employed.
Ultimately, the data was analyzed as an empowerment assessment and presented in
comparative format.
This study involved both qualitative and quantitative data.
The qualitative data collection technique was subjective in nature since it
involved examining and reflecting on financial recordkeeping in business.
Numerical data analysis and statistical tests were objective in nature and
dealt with measuring phenomena. For this study, computation of percentages,
frequencies and hypotheses testing was used.
3.3. Conceptual Framework
and Methods Of Data Gathering
The following figure shows the directional conception of this
study intended to answer the research questions, as well as achieve the
objectives of the study (Cheam Phan Viriya, October 2009)
NGO and higher learning institutions
Approach
1. Health
2. Environment
3. Community development
4. Food security
5. Income generation
6. Education
Empowerment
1. Access to information
2. Inclusion and participation
3. Accountability
4. Local organizational capacity
Government
Higher Learning Institutions
NGOs
Partnership
Figure 3.1. Conceptual framework of the study
| 
