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STA 434: SURVEY RESEARCH METHODS
| Institution | UNIVERSITY |
| Course | BACHELORS OF ECONOMI... |
| Year | 4th Year |
| Semester | Unknown |
| Posted By | stephen oyake rabilo |
| File Type | |
| Pages | 10 Pages |
| File Size | 243.44 KB |
| Views | 190 |
| Downloads | 0 |
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Description
Determining the Sample Design
Sample design covers the areas of sampling frame, sample size, and sampling methodology. Aspects to be considered within these areas include:
Researchers usually draw conclusions about large groups by taking a sample. A sample is a segment/ part/small section of the population selected to represent the population as a whole.
Population on the other hand is the largest collection of values of a random variable for which we have an interest at a particular time. A sampling frame is a list of all members (e.g. persons, households, businesses, schools)
of the target population for the survey. For example, a sampling frame may be the electoral roll, the membership list of a club, or a register of schools. Information collected from the sample is used to make conclusion/inferences on population
characteristics. Ideally, the sample should be representative and allow the researcher to make accurate estimates of the thoughts and behaviour of the larger population. To draw conclusions about populations from samples, one must use inferential statistics to be able to determine a population’s characteristics by directly observing only a portion of the it. Designing the sample calls for three key decisions to answer the following questions:
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STA 434: SURVEY RESEARCH METHODS
The difference between research and non-research activity is, in the way we find answers: the process must meet certain requirements to be called research. We can identify these
requirements by examining some definitions of research.
Research is the process of conducting an organized and systematic way of finding answers to questions. This implies finding answers to questions by using reliable and valid laid
down procedures, methods and techniques within a framework of a set of philosophies (approaches). The process should always be unbiased and objective. “Scientific research is systematic, controlled, empirical, and critical investigation of natural phenomena guided by theory and hypotheses about the presumed relations among
such phenomena.” – Kerlinger, 1986.
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STA 434: SURVEY RESEARCH METHODS
Literature review is integral part of entire research process and makes valuable contribution
to every operational step. This is an essential preliminary task in order to acquaint yourself
with the available body of knowledge in your area of interest.
Disadvantages of Literature Review
i. It can be time-consuming at times
ii. It is a daunting task when there is so much done about your area of in interest
iii. It is frustrating when there is little or no study done about your area of interest.
Key Functions of Literature Review
i) Brings clarity and focus to your research problem
ii) Improves your methodology;
iii) Broadens your knowledge;
iv) Contextualizes the author’s findings.
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STA 434: SURVEY RESEARCH METHODS
Step 4: Preparing the Research Design
Research design is the conceptual structure within which research would be
conducted.
The function of research design is to provide for the collection of relevant information with
minimal expenditure of effort, time and money. The preparation of research design,
appropriate for a particular research problem, involves the consideration of the following:
1. Objectives of the research study.
2. Method of Data Collection to be adopted
3. Source of information—Sample Design
4. Tool for Data collection
5. Data Analysis-- qualitative and quantitative
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STA 434: SURVEY RESEARCH METHODS
COLLECTING DATA:
Having formulated the research problem, developed a study design, constructed a research
instrument and selected a sample, you then collect the data from which you will draw
inferences and conclusions for your study. Depending upon your plans, you might
commence interviews, mail out a questionnaire, conduct experiments and/or make
observations.
Collecting data through any of the methods may involve some ethical issues in
relation to the participants and the researcher:
- Those from whom information is collected or those who are studied by a
researcher become participants of the study.
- Anyone who collects information for a specific purpose, adhering to the
accepted code of conduct, is a researcher.
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STA 434: SURVEY RESEARCH METHODS
DATA PROCESSING AND ANALYSIS:
Processing and analyzing data involves a number of closely related operations which are
performed with the purpose of summarizing the collected data and organizing these in a
manner that they answer the research questions (objectives).
The Data Processing operations are:
1. Editing – This is the process of examining the collected raw data to detect errors and
omissions and to correct these when possible.
2. Classification – This is the process of arranging data in groups or classes on the basis
of common characteristics. Depending on the nature of phenomenon involved
a) Classification according to attributes:
Here, data is analyzed on the basis of common characteristics which can either
be:
i) Descriptive such as literacy, sex, religion etc.
ii) Numerical such as weight, height, income etc. Such classification can
be either:
• Simple classification: where we consider only one attribute, and
divide the universe into two classes – one class consisting of
items possessing the given attribute, and the other class
consisting of items which do not possess the given attribute.
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