3.0 RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
This chapter deals with the
methodology employed in the conduct of this research study under the following
subheadings:
-
Research
setting
-
Research
setting
-
Target
population
-
Sampling
technique
-
Instrument
for data collection
-
Validity
of instrument
-
Method
of data analysis
-
Ethical
consideration
3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN
The descriptive research method was
applied in this research method. This design was chosen because it is concerned
with the present and according to Obi (2005), it tries to get a precise
measurement of a phenomenon under study.
This effect was considered appropriate by the researcher since the
present study is primarily concerned with the description of an existing
phenomenon on the attitudes of couples towards child adoption practices.
3.2 RESEARCH SETTING
This research was carried out in
Abakaliki urban, the capital of Ebonyi State in Nigeria. It is located in Abakaliki Local Government
Area, Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone Ebonyi State
The study
area was water-works road , in
which four street were selected namely:
Ejiofo Street, Awolowo Street , Nwodo Street and Owerri Street. These areas were chosen
because of its strategic location in Abakaliki urban town. Water –works road
being part of Abakaliki urban has heterogeneous population with mixed culture and is dominated by traders and
civil servants.
3.3 TARGET POPULATION
The population of this study is
made up of couples residing in water –works roads in Abakaliki urban. Here,
couples were used as they were the people directly involved.
3.4 SAMPLING TECHNIQUE
The researcher used systemic sampling
in selecting the sample size. This technique according to Onbi (2005) is
systemic in the sense that it maintains even spaced intervals in selecting
sample units and also the nurse’s randomness in sample. One hundred and sixty
(160) couples were selected which represents 3 percent of the target
population. In each of the four street selected, 26 households were selected
and ion each households, two (2) people (Husband and wife) were used. This summed up to 160. Out of every three 93)
household, one was selected and used.
3.5 INSTRUMENTS FOR DATA COLLECTION
The only instrument used for this
study was the self developed structured questionnaires which were carefully constructed
by the researcher to cover the research question the objective of the study.
The questionnaire is constructed in two section
viz: section A and section B, section A
consists of 3 closed ended questions which deal with biodata of
the respondents and section B consists
of 12 likert questions which
addressed the various aspect of the
problem under investigation.
3.6 VALIDATION OF INSTRUMENT
The questionnaire was given to a professional
nurse for face validity and then to the researchers supervisor who went through
it, after which amendments were made before distribution to the sample group.
3.7 METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION
The questionnaire was delivered
by hand and some were collected on the spot after being filled by the respondents.
This was to guard against any loss. 160 questionnaires were distributed and
same returned
3.8 METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS
The data obtained from the distributed
questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics inform of percentage
calculations and results presented in
bar charts and pie charts.
3.9 ETHICAL CONSIDERATION
The consent of the respondents were
obtained by the researcher and everything entailed in the study was explained
to them after which the questionnaire were distributed.
The respondents
were assured of confidentiality and anonymity of any information supplied by
them. To ensure utmost anonymity and
confidentiality of the respondents the researcher did not include a column for
name of the respondents or contact address in the questionnaire.
To avoid plagiarism, the research
ensured that facts, ideas or concepts taken from other people’s works were rightly acknowledged.