CHAPTER THREE

3.0 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

3.1 Introduction

This chapter discusses the design and methods employed for the research

study. It is discussed under the following sub-headings: Research Design, Popula-

tion of the Study, Sample Size and Sampling Procedure, Instrumentation, Vali-

dity and Reliability of the Instrument, Data Collection Procedure and Method

of Data Analysis.

3.2 Research Design

The design for this study was a descriptive survey. It is to provide the opinion

of the respondents on the causes and effect of drug abuse among secondary school

students in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja. Nworgu (2006) defines descriptive

survey design as those studies that aim at collecting data and describing them in a

systematic way, the features of a given population. The design was considered

appropriate because it enabled the researcher to identify the characteristic of the

population objectively.

3.3 Population of the Study

The population of this study consists of all the junior secondary school

students in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja making a grand total of five thousand,

two hundred and thirty two (5,232) students.

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3.4 Sample Size and Sampling Procedure

Five (5) junior secondary schools were randomly selected within the research

area using the stratified random sampling. A total of one hundred (100) respondents

were selected within the sampled area. This consisted of twenty (20) students from

each school – equal distribution of the respondent across the sample area is expected

to increase the accuracy of the results.

Table 3: Sampled Schools and Number of Respondents

S/No Name No of Students

1 Government Secondary School, Dobi, Gwagwalada. 20
2 Government Secondary School, Hajj Camp, Gwagwalada. 20
3 Government Day Secondary School, Paiko, Gwagwalada. 20
4 Government Secondary School, Tunga-Maje, Gwagwalada. 20
5 School for the Gifted, Specialist Hospital Road, Gwagwalada. 20
Total 100

Random sampling technique was used to select the respondents because it gave

every student an equal opportunity of participating in the study (Cohen and Manion,

2005). Also, it is preferred for the purpose of obtaining meaningful, relevant, reliable

and valid generalization on the research questions within the limited time, cost and

convenience. The sample agrees with Aquinos (2003) who agreed on 25% repress-

entation of the entire population, as appropriate for a study.

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3.5 Instrumentation

The instrument for data collection is a questionnaire titled “The Causes and

Effect of Drug Abuse among Secondary School Students in Gwagwalada Area

Council, Abuja”. The instrument was developed by the researcher. It consisted of two

sections. Section A of the questionnaire provided information on demographic data

of the respondents while Section B centered on the statements for the respondents to

complete in order to answer the research questions posed for the study. Respondents

are expected to tick the appropriate response to the items as they appeal to them using

the Likert modified four-point scale format of, for example: SA = Strongly Agree,

A= Agree, D = Disagree, and SD=Strongly Disagree.

3.6 Validity and Reliability of the Instrument

The questionnaire will be validated by my project supervisor who checks the

content, relevance, ambiguity and vagueness of expression in the instrument. Corre-

ctions and modifications made by the supervisor will be used to restructure the instru-

ment before its administration during the study.

A test-retest reliability will be carried out under a pilot test to ascertain the

reliability of the instrument. Twenty (10) copies of the questionnaires will be distri-

buted to some students in a school not part of the sample. The data will be processed

and analyzed using SPSS 17th Edition. If a reliability coefficient of 0.67 is obtained;

this implies that the instrument is reliable.

3.7 Data Collection Procedure

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 The researcher will personally administer the 100 copies of the questionnaire

to the respondents in the various schools. This will be done with the consent of the

school administrators. The questionnaire will be retrieved the same day at each venue

by the researcher so as to obtain first class information and made ready for statistical

analysis. The analysis will be drawn from the copies retrieved.

3.8 Method of Data Analysis

Data analysis involves steps taken to prepare or properly arrange data gotten

from the fields for interpretation. It involves editing, classification and eventual

tabulation. Data will be presented in frequency tables and simple percentages.

The mean score to be used will be processed by:

Mean score = ∑ Likert point X Outcome

Number of Response

Based on the scoring of the responses of 4-1 scale i.e. 4-point rating scale responses:

SD(Strongly disagree)-1 point; D (Disagree)-2 points; A (Agree)-3 points; and SA

(Strongly agree)-4 points in order of agreement. The mean is high when it is equal

to 2.50 or above 2.50 and this suggests agreement (ACCEPTION). The mean is low

when it is less than 2.50 and this suggests disagreement (REJECTION).

Formulae for calculating the simple percentage (%) = f x 100

∑f

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Where f = numbers of frequencies of responses; ∑ = sigma meaning summation of;

and ∑f = total number of sample.

This information will be translated into meaningful findings from which

logical conclusions will be drawn but caution will be taken not to tamper with

the data in order not to alter the findings.

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