Methodology provides a detailed account of the methods used
in collecting the data; why the methods were chosen, what data were obtained,
how they were analyzed, and how the answers to specific aims were provided.
Under the methodology, this study
emphasizes on research design, scope of the study, method of data collection,
population of the study, sampling techniques, source of data, validity and reliability,
operational measures of variables, data presentation and analysis techniques.
3.1 Research Design
Research design could be seen as
a framework or plan that is used as a guide in
collecting and analyzing the data
for a study. This study, however adopted the field survey method. According to
Osuala (2001), survey research is versatile and practical in that they identify
present conditions and point to the present needs.
3.2. Population of the Study
The population of this study would be made up of every staff
of the selected companies mentioned above. The essence of using the entire
staff of the companies is because the companies have a limited number of
staff-strength totaling 236 in all.
3.3. Method of Data Collection
Since the researcher wanted to
have first hand information from both the policy
makers and operatives of the
companies under study, the use of questionnaire and oral interview were
adopted.
The questionnaire was used to
ascertain the relationship between rewards and performance. It also obtained information about employees
ability, experience, skill, commitment and zeal to succeed, using performance
appraisal as the measurement tool.
The questionnaire was also used
to obtain information on how employees competence and ability are accessed,
what organizations gain by employing employees with the right experience, how
employees demonstrate their commitment to an organization and obtain
information on employees performance ranking.
The copies of the questionnaire were administered to the
respondents, and a period of two weeks gap was
given before the retrieval of the questionnaire from the respondents.
The reason for the two weeks gap is to enable the respondents make out time to
respond to the questionnaire.
3.4. Sampling and Sampling Techniques
Since the population of the study is not very large one, the
researcher therefore decides to make use of every member of the population,
this therefore eliminated the use of sample size.
3.5. Sources of Data Collection
There are two major sources of data namely: primary and
secondary sources.
1.
Primary Source: The primary source of data for this study is
the raw data collected through the use of questionnaire that was administered
to the respondents, and personal interview conducted with selected members of
staff of Oil Companies.
3.6. Validation and
Reliability of Instrument
In order to guarantee the
reliability of the research instrument (questionnaire), the test-retest method
was adopted. In this method, the same individuals are measured at two different
points in time. Then a Correlation Coefficient is computed to determine whether
the scores on the first measure are related to scores on the second measure.
The content and construct
validity were also guaranteed, as the researcher after drafting the
questionnaire gave it to a research expert for vetting and validation before it
was administered.
3.7. Operational measures of
variables
3.7.1 The Independent Variable
(IV)
The independent variable is
denoted by X. The independent variables in this study are employee’s ability,
experience, skills, Job security; zeal to succeed, reward and employee’s
participation. The measurement tool to determine the independent variables is
the Employee’s Performance Appraisal. Correlation Coefficient was used to
determine the relationship between the Independent and dependent variables.
3.7.2. Intervening Variables (In. V)
The intervening variables in this
study are workers performance, labour turn-over, and commitment to
organizational set goals. Questions were asked to unveil factors that enhance
performance, or lead to labour turn-over, employees commitment etc.
3.7.3. Dependent Variables (DV)
The dependent variables in this
study are effective organizational performance and organizational efficiency.
Questions were asked to measure the extent at which reward influences
performance. (Chukwu, 2008).
3.8. Techniques of Data
Analysis
The data collected in this study
were presented on tables. The hypothesis stated
in chapter one are tested
statistically using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation
Coefficient, denoted by (r) this statistical tool is deemed appropriate because
it measures the degree of relationship between two sets of ranked
observations (Baridam, 1986).
Degree of freedom is (2), while
confidence level is 0.05% (R) assumes any value from -1 to +1 indicating
perfect correlation, and 0 indicating no relationship. The ranked correlation
co-efficient is denoted by r, in this study, r has the following formula.
Where ∑x = Sum of the scores on the first test
∑2 = Sum of the squares of scores
on the left test
∑y2 =
Sum of the squares of scores on the second test
(∑x)2 = Sum of the scores on the first test
squared
∑x2 = Sum of the scores on the second test
squared
N = Number of scores on the test.