CHAPTER THREE

3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1. Description of Study Area

The study will be conducted in Woldia city particularly in Debre-Gelila Kebele. Woldia is the
capital city of the North Wollo Zone, and Woldia Woreda in northern Ethiopia. Located north of
Dessie and southeast of Lalibela in the Amhara Region, this city has an elevation of 2112 meters
above sea level. The 2019 national census conducted by the Central Statistical Agency of
Ethiopia (CSA), this city has a total population of 180,000, of whom 81,750 are men and 98,250
women. The majority of the inhabitants practiced Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, with 80.49%
reporting that as their religion, while 18.46% of the population said they were Muslim. The 1994
national census reported a total population for Woldia of 24,533 in 5,413 households, of whom
11,689 were men and 12,844 were women.

The two largest ethnic groups reported in this were the Amhara (93.92%), and the Tigrayan
(4.32%); all other ethnic groups made up 1.76% of the population. Amharic was spoken as a first
language by 95.2%, and 3.75% spoke Tigrinya; the remaining 1.05% spoke all other primary
languages reported. 79.75% of the population practiced Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, and
19.44% of the population said they were Muslim. There is a rising university, Woldiya
University, and about a dozen other governmental and private primary and secondary schools.
Travertine for use in building has been worked on a minor scale nearby. Woldiya is connected by
all-weather roads to Addis Ababa and Mekelle by highway and to Debre Tabor by highway. The
city will be served by two railways under construction: the Woldiya-Mekelle Railway and the
Awash-Woldiya Railway. The city is divided into six urban administrative Kebeles and 2 rural
Kebeles. Among these, Debre-Gelila kebele will be selected as a sample because this Kebele is
very broad and has many impairment persons. In addition, due to time and financial limitation,
the researcher is limited to focus on this Kebele.
3.2. Research Approach of the Study
The study has employed mixed research approach. The rationale for the choice of mixed
methods research is the “possibilities of triangulation of multiples sources of both qualitative and
quantitative data to study research topics” (Tashakkori & Teddue, 2003, p. 518 and Greene,
2006, p. 95). These writers have also concluded that the use of quantitative and qualitative
methods in combination to investigate social phenomenon yields greater information that cannot
be achieved through reliance of a single method. Therefore, to have the fill picture of the issue
under discussion and achieve the objectives successfully, the study adopted the stated approach.

3.3. Research Design

The research design for this study will be descriptive cross sectional. The method of this study
the researcher would use both the quantitative and qualitative approaches and methods of study
for the purpose of collecting more detailed and important data from different sources. This type
of research approach is important for the following reason: to gather detail information about the
issue of the study and it is more flexible to obtain so much information. In the case of qualitative
method the researcher would use an interview, and focus group discussion techniques of data
collection so as to gather the required data from the respondents.

3.4. Target population

This study would involve only physical disabled people who live in Debre-Gelila kebele of
Woldia city for two and above years. The study also involves both males and females persons
with impairment.

3.5. Sampling techniques and Size

3.5.1.Sampling techniques
According to woldia city administration, there are 8 kebeles in woldia city. Among these, Debre-
Gelila Kebele would be selected as a sample to conduct the research. In this study, the researcher
would use a non- probability sampling technique. The rationale for choosing non-probability
(purposive sampling) technique was, due to its appropriate for this study and it helps to select
respondents on the concerned position.
3.5.2. Sample size
The sizes of the respondent were 40 persons, 5 for interview and 35 for FGD by selecting
purposively by the researcher.

3.6. Sources of Data

The researcher will employ both primary and secondary sources of data collection. The primary
data obtain through interview, focus group discussion and to gather information about the subject
matter of the research. While the secondary data will be obtained from related literature
including both published and unpublished materials.

3.7. Data collection tools and procedures

In-depth interview in order to get detail information from concern sample respondents about
impairment, the researcher will use in depth interview method with persons with physical
impairment. Focus group discussion (FGD) will be conducted with both males and females
impairment persons. Because include both sex in order to get valid information on their overall
socio economic problem and their respective experience.

3.8. Methods of Data Analysis and Interpretation

The collected data will be analyzed in suitable way for interpretation. After the collection of the
relevant and pertinent data for this study, it will be analyzed, presented and interpreted using
both qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques. The collected data will be analyzed
qualitatively through narration (word).

3.9. Ethical consideration

This study will take into account different ethical consideration in order to get relevant
information without any problem. The researchers will ask permission to get consent from
respondent. Generally, I will cover all ethical issues like use of appropriate research
methodology, avoiding plagiarism.