CHAPTER THREE:

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction

This chapter deals with the general method that the researcher desires to adopt

in carrying out the study. The procedures will be discussed under the following

sub-headings:

3.0 Introduction

3.1 Study design

3.2 Area of the study

3.3 Sampling technique and sample size

3.4 Instrumentation for data collection

3.4.1 Validity of the instrument

3.5 Method of data collection

3.6. Method of data analysis

3.7. Limitation of the study

1.1 Study design

The study adopted the survey research design. This design involves the

collection of data from a large population with the instrumentality of

questionnaires for the purpose of getting accurate and reliable information about

the phenomenon being examined (Isangedighi, 2012). This design was adopted

to enhance the quality of data collection procedure.

3.2 Area of the study

The research area for the study is Etinan Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom

State. It headquarters is located in Etinan town. Etinan is located within the

south eastern part of Nigeria and constitutes on of the Local Government Areas

of the oil rich AkwaIbom state. It is known for its agricultural and arts craft

products. The area forms one of the most peaceful locations in the West African

state of Nigeria. Etinan lies between latitude 05o , 1’ Northand longitude 50o

East of Central Akwa Ibom. It is 26km from Uyo the capital city, bounded by

Nsit Ibom, Mkpat Enin, Onna, Uyo and Abak Local Government Areas.

Etinan Local Government was created in 1976 and has a total population

of 169,284 (2006 census). This consists of 89,907 males and 79,377 females.

The people in the area are of the Ibibio speaking stock. Etinan people are

dynamic, intelligent with a deep cultural heritage expressed through crafts, arts,

music and dances. They are the brain basket of the state; they are mainly

Christians and generally peaceful.

The Local Government is known for its arts, craft products, large deposits

of mineral resources such as clay, glass, sand and sharp sand; agricultural

resources include palm produce, cassava and yam, amongst others. Etinan is

also home to the famous Peacock paint industries and NIFOR Akwa Ibom State

Zonal office. Etinan Local Government Area is very

conducive for its workers and staff as well as others who may come in for one

purpose or the other. The Local Government has a total of ….Villages

1.2 Population of the study

The population of the study comprised youths, women and community men in

the study area. The population is estimated to be eighty thousand (80,000)

people. This excludes children.

1.3 Sampling technique and sample size

The study used the stratified random sampling technique as well as accidental

sampling technique. The stratified sampling implies that the population is

broken down into categories, which in this context include: youth, women and

men. Youth are young people (male and female) between the ages of 18 and 45.

Women and men are those above 45 but not more than 70, as used in this study.

Accidental sampling is used when the researcher decides to choose samples as

they come without necessarily pre-informing them. They are sampled

accidentally. By this technique, the researcher waited at strategic junctions;

when people passed by, they are given the questionnaire.

Through these methods, the researcher selected a total of five hundred (500)

respondents. This became the sample for the study.

3.4 Instrumentation for data collection

The instrument used in this study was Health Education Content Questionnaire

(HECQ), which measures nutrition and disease prevention, hygiene and disease

prevention and family health care services and disease prevention. The

instrument consisted of two sections (A and B). Section A was designed to elicit

information on the respondents’ demography such as name, age, sex, address,

etc. while section B on the other hand consisted of statements of which

respondents were meant to show their levels of agreement or disagreement used

on four (4) point likert type scale. The section consisted of four (4) sub-sections

with emphasis on the three major variables of the study. The 4-point likert scale

adopted was as follows:

SA – Strongly Agree

A - Agree

D - Disagree

SD - Strongly Disagree

3.4.1 Validity of the instrument

Validation refers to the degree to which an instrument measures what is

intended to measure, or the extent to which a true and accurate measure of a

trait is probable (Isangedihi, 2004).

Face validity was established for the instrument of the study. Face

validity refers to the way the questionnaire items appear to take care of relevant

content in the subject of interest. The face validity was established by using

experts in measurement and evaluation in the faculty of education, who certified

that the instrument was face valid and could be used for the study and vetting

developed.
3.5 Method of data collection

Data for the study were generated

using the Health Education Content

Questionnaire (HECQ). After a formal

introduction by the researcher in the

sampled village and explanation of her

mission to the chief of the community,

the questionnaire was distributed to the

community members who were

randomly selected to fill the questionnaire. After which the questionnaire were

immediately retrieved and packed. This ensured the 100% return rate of the

questionnaire.

On preparation of the data, the responses on the question were rated on

four point scale and respondents were instructed to fill it independently. The

questionnaire were coded as strongly agree (4), agree (3), disagree (2) and

strongly disagree (1).

The scoring of the question was based on the premise that, for each question,

there was answer which portrays both positive and negative scoring ranging

from 4-1 in descending order, while the negative scoring ranged from 1-4 in

ascending order.

Four Point Scale Positive Negative

Strongly Agree (SA) 4 1

Agree (A) 3 2

Disagree (D) 2 3

Strongly Disagree (SD) 1 4

3.6. Method of data analysis

The research questions are to be answered with using simple percentages and

other descriptive statistics.

3.7. Limitation of the study

This study covers Etinan Local Government from were five villages were

randomly selected. The research is limited in scope as it covers some villages in

Etinan Local Government only. In the course of the study, the researcher

encountered some problems viz:

i. Financial constraint in terms of transportation to Etinan Local

Government and the villages under investigation.

ii. Poor response attitude of the respondents.

iii. Time factor. Despite these limitations, the researcher was able to

collect reliable and adequate data to give an acceptable judgment