UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC

ENGINEERING

NAME: JOSEPH KAMWENDO

REG NUMBER: R211573X

MSC IN ELECTRICAL POWER ENGINEERING

COURSE: RESEARCH METHODS – MEPE513

ASSIGNMENT 1
QUESTION 1
1. A research problem refers to difficulty which a researcher experiences in
the context of either theoretical or practical situation and wants to obtain a
solution for the same. It also be defined as a statement that identifies a
problem or a situation to studied.

Components of Research Problem

 An individual or a group with some difficult or problem.

 Objectives of research that are to be attained.
 The environment in which the problem exists.
 Course of action or alternatives means for obtaining the objectives.
 Possible outcomes

2. At my work place (Hwange power station) there is general concept/ idea

that in every summer the electricity output of the station decreases as the
ambient temperature increases during the day. This concept has been
developed over last five years based on the historical data records. The
operators of the generators despite maintaining the critical operating
parameters as well as practicing good maintenance on the plant in order to
generate the same electricity output as the other seasons, the problem still
manifest itself only during summer days as compared to other seasons of
the year. The researcher seeks to further investigate if the concept is
scientifically valid

Research objectives

 To identify the nature of the correlation of the variables, ambient

temperature and electricity output
 To come up with a prediction algorithm which we can use to predict
the electricity generation given the anticipated ambient
temperatures of the day should the concept be valid scientifically.
 To identify solution in order to maintain the same electricity output
during summer days as in other seasons.

Literature review

The researcher must go through engineering power plant textbooks

mainly focusing on the factors affecting the electricity generation
output, case studies and written technical papers, exploring the
knowledge and information available relating to the existing problem
currently being experienced. The facts must be clearly stated in the
review.

Developing a hypothesis

In this case our independent variable is the Ambient temperature

and the dependent variable is the Generation output. This is a non
experimental hypothesis testing research because the independent
variable cannot be manipulated. The null hypothesis is the current
concept which states that the generation output decreases as
ambient temperature increases. The alternative hypothesis will be
that the two variables are independent to each other.

Data collection and analysis

The data will be collected using observation and recording

techniques through plant instrumentation. Also interviews will be
randomly conducted with the operators of the generators. The
collection of data will be done in the months of October and
November. The data variables collected are the ambient
temperatures and electricity generation output, on hourly basis from
08:00am to 16:00pm of each day. The sample size target is at least
400 data points.
 Data analysis

After data collection of the variables an analysis of the data collected

will be done using tools such as SPSS, MINITAB, R and Python for
statistical analysis as well as coming up with some possible
algorithms for predictions.

Hypothesis testing

The testing will depend on the outcomes of the data analysis results.
The interpretation and report will then be produced.

3. ZESA buys three types electricity meters which the want to use on
subscriber premises. Some of the meters do not seem to last and they want
to find out if the meters work differently or not.

Aims and Objectives

 To gain familiarity and user experience of the electricity meters

before installing them on subscriber premises
 To determine the frequency of failures of the electricity meters.
 To portray the characteristics of each electricity meter.
 To test the hypothesis on the meters that seem not to last.
 To zone in on the type of the meter which has a high reliability for
future purchase preference.
 To secure consumer confidence and trust before the installations.
Research Design
The research design will include an absolute experimental design
hypothesis testing. The research department should select a sample size of
ten of each of the type of meters a total of thirty. A sample size of 15
meters, 5 from each type will be installed on selected subscriber premises
as a pilot project preferably ZESA premises for easy and cost effective way
for data logging. This is done to expose them to real world scenario.
Another sample of 15 the meters, 5 for each type will be installed in a
laboratory under controlled conditions of operation. In the case of the
laboratory sample ideal conditions are going to be maintained throughout
the experimental period. The conditions maintained are voltage of 220v
and a current of 13 amps. The testing period will be 3 months and the data
collected will include the following
 Average power in Kwh measured by the meter
 Average Voltage on the meter
 Average Amperage on the meter
 Hours of operation

Data collection and analysis

The data will be collected on 2hourly intervals from each meter in the laboratory
and on premises and average of the data point will be calculated on that
particular day. Also the condition of the meter be examined on the same day.
After the experimental period has expired we will analyze data through
comparison of data collected on variables and longevity (hours of operation) of
each type of meters. We will also compare the number of each type of meters
that has failed under ideal laboratory conditions against the number that has
failed under real world conditions (subscriber premises).
The following is a sample in table format for data collection that can be populated
at the end of each day.
Meter number 7 Meter type…………….
Site laboratory/subscriber Premise
Day Average Voltage Average Average Cumulative Meter
amps kwh Hours of status
operation
1 220 10 100 24 ok
2 218 8 95 48 Not ok
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
After obtaining the number of each type of the meters that has failed under
controlled and experimental conditions we will be able to conclude whether the
meters work differently or not and have an insight of the operating variable
ranges which they work best.

QUESTION 2
4. A research hypothesis is a statement of prediction or expectation that will
be tested by research. It can also be described as the researcher’s
expectation or prediction of a relationship among study variables.

Hypothesis formulation

Following mixed sentiments from ZESA customers on the issue of electricity

distribution in Zimbabwe, the management of the company is concerned if
the customers are now satisfied with the service the company is currently
providing.

Research problem statement

Generally, the ZESA customers are now expressing mixed opinions on the
electricity distribution fairness in Zimbabwe. The current standpoint from
the company management is that the electricity distribution is fair and
customers are satisfied. The researcher needs to verify the management’s
point of view on the issue.

Data collection

In order to verify the current hypothesis on the distribution of electricity

according to the ZESA management, the proposed method to gather data is
though survey research design. The target audience are the ZESA potential
residential customers from different regions in the country. The researcher
will adopt a cross sectional survey method. The data will be collected from
multiple subjects on one point in time. The survey instrument preferred for
data collection will be through telephone interviews of the selected
population.

Data analysis

After collecting the data, the researcher will organize data according to
what he/she wants to learn. In this case data can be categorized. The
following data analysis can be followed when performing the data analysis

 Look for the most common response in the answers

 Transcribe the data to clearly show the numbers (using pie chart, bar
graphs etc.)
 Analyze the quantitative data to stay objective
 Use cross tabulation to get a picture of the audience
 Draw conclusions based on the data analysis results and
communicate to the necessary people to use it(presentations and
report writing)
QUESTION 3

5. In order to carry out the survey to find out how people feel about the ZESA
services and survey methodology can be designed as follows:

Survey methodology and sampling

 The selected instrument for the survey will be interviewing ZESA

customers since the response rate is high compared to other
instruments such as questionnaires
 The determined sample size will be one tenth of the ZESA customer
population size from each ZESA supply regions in order to reduce the
sampling errors.
 The collection will be done using random telephone interviews using
telephone contacts from the customer database.
 Stratified sampling technique can be adopted for the survey and
strata will be age groups i.e. (25-35, 35-45, 45-55, 55-65)
This questionnaire serves to the get information about ZESA current service to
its customers and how best to improve services in the future. Do not write you
name Please answer the following questions by ticking the correct answer
What gender are you?
(a) Male
(b) Female
What age group are you?
(a) 25-35
(b) 35-45
(c) 45-55
(d) 55-65
Do you own/rent a house?
(a) Yes
(b) No
Are you a ZESA employee?
(a) Yes
(b) No
Is ZESA your current electricity service provider?
(a) Yes
(b) No
How do you rate ZESA current services?
(a) Good
(b) Fair
(c) Bad
If bad, please specify by commenting
below……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Thank you for providing your invaluable information
6. In order determine how people feel about the cellphone reception in
Mbare the target population will the cellphone who are subscribers to
different network companies.

Survey methodology and sampling

 The selected instrument for the survey will be the use of

questionnaires cellphone users
 The determined sample size will be one tenth of the population in
Mbare
 The collection of data will be done using random issuing of
questionnaires face to face.
 Stratified sampling technique can be adopted for the survey and
stratified in terms of gender and age groups i.e. (20-30, 30-40, 40-50)
7. To determine the effect of a new base station a neighborhood of a small
residential area one needs to look at the socio-economic issues as well the
environmental impact

Survey methodology and sampling

 The selected instruments for the survey will be interviews of the

residents and observations on the environment and socioeconomic
effects
 The determined sample size of the area for observations will be 3km 2
around the new base station. The sample size of the population to be
interviewed will a tenth of the entire residential population.
 The collection of data will be done using random face to face
interviews and observations using the necessary expertise on
socioeconomic and environmental effects.
 Stratified sampling technique can be adopted for the survey and
stratified in terms of gender and age groups i.e. (20-30, 30-40, 40-50)
8. In order to determine the prevalence of food poisoning from food outlets in
Harare a survey with the following methodology can be implemented.

Survey methodology and sampling

 The selected instrument for the survey will include interviews,

observation and food testing for any poisoning compounds
 The determined sample size will be a tenth of the total most popular
food outlets in Harare.
 The collection of data will be done through samples of food
collected for lab tests, random observations for sanitary conditions
and interviews on the customers
 Stratified sampling technique can be adopted for the survey and
stratified in terms of gender and age groups i.e. (20-30, 30-40, 40-50)